Category: Economics

  • Is capitalism bad?

    Capitalists have a bad moral reputation. People see them as bad because their economic theory is based on self-interest. Even though I am an unrepentant capitalist, I totally agree many people who are capitalist are not good moral humans and lack love and compassion. Further, many are just plain jerks and think this economic system…

  • How to help the poor

    When I was a teenager I really wanted to help the poor. I did not how I thought increasing foreign aid might help the poor or working in poor areas. These things do help and are good, especially in areas of drought and total poverty that need emergency help. However, how do you end poverty…

  • Is capitalism good or bad?

    The purpose of this post is to ask you the question is capitalism good or bad? I am curious myself of the answers that are floating around the collective unconsciousness. Does capitalism work is a very relevant question? After studying economics and living in the USA and a post-socialist country I have an opinion but…

  • Anti-capitalism

    The best way to illustrate anti-capitalism is to tell you a story. I am an American living in Poland, I met another American ex-pat who just moved here, her name is Agatha. We actually are friends now. One of the first things she did was pull me aside and say ‘look Mark we have to…

  • zero sum economy

    Examples of positive-sum, negative-sum and zero-sum economic activity In a capitalistic economy, in aggregate, there will always be more winners than losers. This is because the economy is growing in the long run and both parties benefit from an exchange.   Similarly, in the stock market, there will always be more winners than losers, even…

  • Does value investing work

    Value investing was described in Ben Graham and David Dodd’s book Security Analysis in 1934. It was popularized by Warren Buffet. The purpose of this post is to address the question does value investing work. What is value investing Value investing is the belief that assets have an intrinsic value.  This intrinsic or natural value…

  • Women are the Best Economic Indicator

    Women are the Best Economic Indicator

    What is the best economic indicator? Economic predictions are notorious bad. So this post I will talk about one economic indicator that is less known but not too shabby. Do not take stock market advice or make commodity trades based on this indicator, but it does work. Many people look at the ‘dry Baltic index’…

  • Americans are spoiled

    Americans have economic lost perspective I am American. However, I became aware of how spoiled Americans are when I lived for many years in Eastern Europe. I am writing this not to cut on Americans, people who I respect, but to put economic life in perspective. Forgive my title, as I am a patriot, but…

  • Cause of US Economic Problems

    What are the biggest problems the USA has economically? US debt to GDP Federal Reserve mismanagement of money Trade deficit The root caused could be argued is fiat currency. It causes all three of the above. Fixed exchange rates under the gold standard balanced trade automatically under the price–specie flow mechanism. The Debt was controlled…

  • Business cycle and Fiscal Stimulus

    Fiscal stimulus exacerbates the business cycle Anything the government does free market does more efficiently.  Think of UPS vs the Post office.  Think of Google vs. umm the government could never create such an efficient tool as Google. Some people believe that micromanaging the economy and business cycles from the top with a large fiscal…