Tunisian and Moroccan Economic Realities
Imagine a government license was required to start a debate club, or to coach a student for free or for pay. Actually, that’s not so hard to imagine. Any city council that could ban...
Monthly Archive: July 2014
More Adventures in the Realm of Economics
I posted on the NCFCA policy topic, asking how refugee camps could be reformed or transformed to allow more economic freedom. Could refugee camps be Startup Cities. Lincoln-Douglas debaters might be suspicious of a LD...
Could Refugee Camps Be Startup Cities?
For students researching Middle East policy, this fascinating July 4th NYT article is highly recommended: Refugee Camp for Syrians in Jordan Evolves as a Do-It-Yourself City. The Zaatari Refugee Camp, now home for over 85,000...
Welcome to the Realm of Economics
Lincoln-Douglas debaters are exploring the new NCFCA topic: Resolved: In the realm of economics, freedom ought to be valued above equity. That exploration leads into the realm of economics. It’s sort of like exploring Narnia where...
Global Inequality: Should freedom be valued above equity?
The revised wording for the 2014-2015 NCFCA Lincoln-Douglas topic is: Resolved: In the realm of economics, freedom ought to be valued above equity. The topics’ original wording was: Resolved: Economic freedom ought to be...
Religion, Conflict, and State Power in Europe and the Middle East
Religions are blamed for much turmoil in the Middle East. If only people could all just get along and not turn to violence to convert those of other faiths, argue the critics. In reality,...
Uber, Lyft, and Middle East Rent-Seeking
In this 2012 interview Hernando de Soto explains how his ILD team was drawn into economic research in the Middle East. DeSoto’s discussion of legal institutions and elites and how they obstruct economic reform and...
Never Able to Leave Your Home State? Welcome to the Middle East
Summer in Seattle shines wonderfully warm and leaves most mornings and evenings still cool. Spring and fall usher in clouds and drizzle, but it’s summer now. I was born here and elated to move...