CEI Planet: January – February 2008

View the new Montly Planet by downloading the PDF of the issue. Below you’ll find previews of the articles in this issue:

Free Trade Agreements: Issues and Outlook by Frances B. Smith Trade has surfaced over the past decade as one of the most contentious political issues—both internationally and domestically. The increased divisiveness of trade policy was evident at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Seattle meeting in December of 1999, where anti-globalization took over the streets and helped cause a breakdown of those negotiations…

Privatizing Profits, Socializing Losses by Fred L. Smith, Jr. I have previously argued that if we wish to have a future, the creative destruction described by the great economist Joseph Schumpeter is unavoidable. But society must recognize that with the additional economic freedom to homestead the economic frontier, it is important to ensure the evolution of institutions that encourage responsible use of that freedom…

The Ratings Game by Cord Blomquist & Eli Lehrer When they select video games, comic books, movies, music, radio programs, and television shows for their children, parents have a wealth of information available to them. Through government content codes, private ratings systems, and a variety of other measures, parents have a broad universe of choices between ratings systems…

Bali Follies: The Benefits of Failure by William Yeatman International negotiations for a treaty to fight climate change always end in gridlock because individual nations are a selfish lot. They can never agree on who should foot the gigantic bill to stop global warming…

Taxing Water: What will Nanny State Politicians Think of Next? by Angela Logomasini The Chicago City Council has taken the idea of “sin taxes” to a whole new level of stupidity. Regulators began by going after cigarettes, alcohol, and firearms, and moved on to SUVs, fast food, and even toilets! Starting in 2008, the city of Chicago is going to tax water—when it comes packaged in a plastic bottle…

The Good, the Bad & the Urgy

THE GOOD: Mortality Falling Despite Extreme Weather Climate doomsayers routinely warn that global warming will lead to more weather-related disasters. Yet a recent study by economist indur Golklany found that mortality and mortality rates are falling despite an upsurge in severe weather events.

THE BAD: Misunderstanding the Problem of Poverty The Census Bureau estimates the number of poor americans at 37 million as of 2005. So politicians denounce uncaring government policies. activists demand new programs…

THE UGLY American Politicians Call for UK-Style Health Care Reform Politicians are clamoring to “do something” about climbing health care costs. a federal takeover is no solution, however. Just look at Britain’s National health Service…

Media Mentions Compiled by Richard Morrison

Energy Policy Analyst William Yeatman debunks claims of California’s commitment to fighting global warming:

“U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon says that California “leads the world” on climate change. He’s right, but not the way he thinks. In fact, the Golden State leads the world in unfulfilled romises to fight global warming…”