Essays & News

  On December 28, 2025, shops selling electronics and mobile phones in central Tehran shut their doors in protest at the sharp rise in the dollar and gold prices and the extreme volatility of Iran’s currency, the rial. Traditionally, 10 rials equal one toman, the unit commonly used in everyday transactions. More recently, the authorities […]

  Born from the wreckage of World War II, the European welfare state promised citizens economic security, social justice, solidarity and dignity. And for over half a century, it largely delivered. As Europe rebuilt, generous social protection systems went hand in hand with booming economies. Healthcare, pensions, family support, unemployment benefits and a wide range […]

  For decades, America’s dominance in technology has rested on a simple but powerful principle: permissionless innovation—the idea that individuals and companies are free to build and experiment without first seeking government approval. This philosophy, which allows innovation by default unless clear harm is shown, unleashed breakthroughs from the personal computer to the internet, making the […]

  The recent United States intervention in Venezuela marks a rare military escalation by a major power in an oil-producing country. After years of reliance on sanctions, the move signals a shift from economic pressure to direct action. Given Venezuela’s oil reserves – the largest in the world – and its historical role in global […]

  Last December 31, 2025, marked the 10th anniversary of Juan Carlos (“Charly”) Cachanosky’s (JCC) early passing. After a decade, his absence is still felt, not only in personal lives but among free-market scholars throughout Argentina and Latin America. I’m frequently asked how I got into economics and interested in the unconventional Austrian school. “Family […]