Category Archives: Economics and public policy

The Great Covid Panic: now out!

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Paul Frijters

It’s here, the booklet I am sure you have all been waiting for. The one which Gigi Foster and Michael Baker slaved over for 10 months. It is dedicated to all the victims of the Panic, in poor countries and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bargains, Coronavirus crisis, Dance, Death and taxes, Democracy, Economics and public policy, Education, Employment, Ethics, Health, History, Humour, Inequality, Isegoria, IT and Internet, Journalism, Law, Libertarian Musings, Life, Literature, Media, Medical, Parenting, Philosophy, Political theory, Politics - international, Politics - national, Print media, Public and Private Goods, Religion, Review, Science, Social, Social Policy, Society, Sortition and citizens’ juries, Terror, Theatre, Travel, WOW! - Amazing | 5 Comments

Introducing! The podcast reader

Posted on August 21, 2021 by Nicholas Gruen

I thought you’d like to know of a venture I’m on the board of which is a global monthly magazine being published out of Melbourne dedicated to publishing the best podcast interviews of the month as a printed magazine for … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, Media | 3 Comments

The strange origins of Melbourne’s $100bn Suburban Rail Loop

Posted on August 15, 2021 by David Walker

I spent some time last year planning a piece for a commercial media client about the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop, a planned underground rail tunnel through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and then out, partly above-ground, to the west. I had to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Truth and love must overcome lies and hatred: The contemporary relevance of John Macmurray

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Nicholas Gruen

Below is the introduction to an essay I’ve written about a Scottish mid-20th-century philosopher John Macmurray. Like my essay on Polanyi, this was partly a way for me to go through his work and set it down for myself. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Economics and public policy, Innovation, Philosophy, Public and Private Goods, Social Policy | 3 Comments

Our superannuation system

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Nicholas Gruen

I compiled a list of thoughts about our own superannuation system in response to a journalist from elsewhere thinking about pensions in their own country and asking me for a rundown on Australia’s system. Via various accords with their union … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | 10 Comments

Pragmatic utilitarianism?

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Paul Frijters

I have been a utilitarian for about 30 years now and am seen in my academic work as an extreme version of the genre. I did my Phd on the topic. I do not merely say that governments should make … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Dance, Death and taxes, Democracy, Economics and public policy, Ethics, Geeky Musings, History, Humour, Life, Parenting, Personal, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Social, Social Policy, Society | 13 Comments

Critical race theory

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Nicholas Gruen

‘Critical race theory’ is the perfect villain Christopher Rufo I wonder if I can keep this post short and sweet. Only by reminding myself that I’d like to write about his after much more consideration and effort. So can I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Democracy, Economics and public policy, Ethics, Gender | 11 Comments