The Alarmingly High, Frustratingly Unknown Stakes of Election 2024
There are three good explanation why Democrats and Republicans alike are utilizing apocalyptic, this-might-be-the-last-election closing arguments in what has been a double-hateworthy 2024 marketing campaign. First, the hair-on-fire tactic works—at the least till it would not. Damaging framing is of course stickier in our brains. Second, it is believable. Voters are in a persistently glum temper about at this time's financial system (46 p.c price it as "poor," per Gallup), tomorrow's…
Would Trump and Harris Really Enact Their Tariff and Price Gouging Plans?
One of many strangest points of this election is that supporters of each Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have argued that it is best to vote for them not as a result of they might enact particular insurance policies they've proposed, however as a result of they would not. Trump, for instance, has repeatedly referred to as for a common 20 p.c tariff on items getting into the US. You…
Final Published Version of “The Constitutional Case Against Exclusionary Zoning” Now Available
(NA) The ultimate printed model of my article "The Constitutional Case Towards Exclusionary Zoning" (coauthored with Josh Braver) is now available for free download on SSRN. Right here is the summary: We argue that exclusionary zoning—the imposition of restrictions on the quantity and kinds of housing that property house owners are allowed to construct— is unconstitutional as a result of it violates the Takings Clause of the Fifth Modification. Exclusionary…
Political Ignorance is an Even Worse Problem than I Thought
I've by no means been an enormous believer within the knowledge of voters. Certainly, I've devoted a lot of my educational profession to writing concerning the risks of widespread political ignorance, going all the best way again to my first academic article. It was revealed in 1998, at a time when most consultants tended to be comparatively optimistic about voter competence. Since then, I revealed a e book on the…
Trump’s Tariff Threats Unlikely to Get Other Nations to Alter Their Policies
10 p.c or 20 p.c or nonexistent? Donald Trump's marketing campaign pitch seems to be one in every of selectively restricted authorities; probably appointing Elon Musk "secretary of cost-cutting" (extra on that here) but additionally favoring some unknown degree of tariffing, which a few of his lackeys declare will not truly occur however will simply be used to persuade different international locations to minimize their commerce restrictions on us. At totally different instances, Trump…
Increase in Tariffs Would Trigger Global Economic Decline
The chief economist of the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) lately delivered a stern warning concerning the penalties that tariff will increase might have on international financial progress. "It is a coverage that's harming principally everybody," Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told the Monetary Occasions. Given the burgeoning assist for tariffs from each Democrats and Republicans, Gourinchas' prediction might spell bother for Individuals irrespective of who wins the election in November. In its October…
Your Right To Booze Could Be Impacted No Matter Who Wins the Presidential Election
Since Prohibition's repeal, few voters have centered on alcohol as a related concern in federal elections. However whereas the vast majority of alcoholic beverage regulation resides on the state and native degree nowadays, the federal authorities can nonetheless play a major position within the worth, availability, and societal acceptance of our favourite tipple. This 12 months's presidential race could in truth be probably the most vital federal election for alcohol…
Compendium of Writings About the 2024 Election and Issues at Stake
(NA) As election day approaches, listed below are hyperlinks to all my writings on the 2024 election and the problems at stake. Besides the place in any other case famous, these are all posts printed proper right here on the Volokh Conspiracy weblog, hosted by Cause. I listing these things in reverse chronological order—most up-to-date first: "Kamala Harris is a Far Lesser Evil than Donald Trump," Oct. 24, 2024. My…
Mark Cuban Explains Cost Plus Drug Company
Billionaire entrepreneur, co-host of ABC's Shark Tank, and Dallas Mavericks co-owner Mark Cuban's newest enterprise is the Mark Cuban Value Plus Drug Firm. It goals to sort out the excessive price and lack of transparency within the pharmaceutical trade by providing low cost generic medication. When Cuban spoke with Eric Boehm for the second season of Cause's restricted sequence podcast Why We Cannot Have Good Issues, he shared the origins of Value Plus…
Brickbat: Common People
When campaigning for workplace earlier this yr, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised the Labour Celebration wouldn't elevate taxes on "working individuals." However he was cagey about precisely who the "working individuals" are. Now, Starmer says those that personal belongings reminiscent of property or shares in firms do not match his definition of "working individuals." A spokesperson later clarified that individuals who personal small quantities of inventory could possibly be…
