GMU Econ Society

ECF: Tyler Cowen on "What Has Gone Wrong with Europe?"

2012-02-02T14:22:00.003-05:00

Join the GMU Economics Department and the Economics Society at the second Economics Community Forum as Tyler Cowen discusses "What Has Gone Wrong with Europe?"

Tuesday, February 7th
Ballroom: SUB II (HUB)
7:30pm - 9:00pm

Attend the Event on Facebook!

Tyler Cowen is an American economist, academic, and writer. He occupies the Holbert C. Harris Chair of economics as a professor at GMU and at the Center for the Study of Public Choice. He is co-author, with Alex Tabarrok, of the popular economics blog Marginal Revolution, which now has over thirty-six million unique visits and was named the top economics blog by the Wall Street Journal. He currently writes the "Economic Scene" column for the New York Times, and he also writes for such publications as The New Republic, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, and The Wilson Quarterly. Cowen is also general director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

Tyler Cowen recently published his book The Great Stagnation: How America Ate all the Low-Hanging Fruit of Modern History, Got Sick, and Will (Eventually) Feel Better. This book represents his vision for macroeconomics, asks whether innovation has stagnated, and it interprets the past history of U.S. growth and looks at where the country is headed. Within the first week of release it was written up by The Economist, the New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous other outlets.

DEBATE: How Deserving Are The Poor?

2012-01-27T15:18:00.003-05:00

Join the Economics Society in welcoming GMU Professor Bryan Caplan and UNC's Karl Smith as they debate the question, "How Deserving are The Poor?"

Wednesday, February 1st -- JC Meeting Room A
6:00pm - zero-price refreshments!
6:30pm - DEBATE

Attend the Facebook event!

Karl Smith joined UNC's School of Government in 2007 and writes for the blog Modeled Behavior. Prior to that, he was a graduate fellow at the Institute for Emerging Issues, where his work was focused on state and local tax reform. Smith holds a BA and a PhD in economics from North Carolina State University. Smith writes and consults primarily on issues of tax reform, structural deficit reduction and long-run public spending trends. He is also the developer of several interactive tax forecasting tools used by the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

Bryan Caplan is the Professor of Economics at George Mason University and blogger for EconLog. His first book, The Myth of the Rational Voter, was named "the best political book of the year" by the New York Times. His new book, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids, is also a bestseller. He has published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, American Economic Review, Economic Journal, Journal of Law and Economics, and Intelligence, and appeared on 20/20 and C-SPAN.

An Analysis of Economic Freedom TONIGHT

2011-11-29T10:00:00.004-05:00

Please join the GMU Economics Society and Mason Liberty as we welcome instructor Andy Gillette as he presents on topics and relationships concerning Economic Freedom TONIGHT.

Dewberry Hall: Bottom Floor of the Johnson Center
6:00pm - Zero-price refreshments!
6:30pm - Lecture

Andy Gillette is a Program Manager and Instructor at the Charles Koch Institute. For over four years, Andy has taught numerous classes ranging from classical-liberal philosophy to Austrian economics to Market-Based Management® (MBM®), a management philosophy that applies the principles of free societies within the organization. Andy graduated from Wichita State University (whose mascot is a shock of wheat) with degrees in English literature and entrepreneurship. After starting and managing Effective Tutoring, Inc.—a tutoring corporation focused on mathematics—Andy joined the Charles G. Koch Foundation in 2007 before transitioning to the Koch Institute this year. In addition to teaching, Andy has worked with multiple teams and organizations in a consulting capacity to help them implement aspects of MBM and achieve better results. He resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife Genevieve.

Charles K. Rowley Video

2011-11-15T17:28:00.004-05:00

Check out the video from the FFF event with Charles Rowley:

Charles K. Rowley "Liberty and the State: A Virginia Political Economy Perspective" from The Future of Freedom Foundation on Vimeo.

Larry White Lecture THURSDAY

2011-11-15T12:55:00.003-05:00

Join the GMU Economics Society as we welcome economist and GMU professor Larry White as he lectures on "Central Banking and The Sovereign Debt Crisis" for the first Community Economics Forum co-sponsored by the GMU Economics Department!

THIS Thursday November 17th
7:30pm - Innovation Hall 105

Zero-price refreshments will be served. Attend the Facebook event HERE.

Lawrence H. White specializes in the theory and history of banking and money. He received his A.B. from Harvard and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He previously taught at New York University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Missouri - St. Louis.

Professor White is the author of The Theory of Monetary Institutions (1999), Free Banking in Britain (2nd ed., 1995), and Competition and Cu rrency (1989). He is the editor of The History of Gold and Silver (3 vols., 2000), Free Banking (3 vols., 1993), and other volumes. His articles on monetary theory and banking history have appeared in the American Economic Review, the Journal of Economic Literature, the Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking, and other leading professional journals.

In 2008 he received the Distinguished Scholar Award of the Association for Private Enterprise Education. He has been a visiting research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, a visiting lecturer at the Swiss National Bank, and a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Professor White is a co-editor of Econ Journal Watch and a member of the board of associate editors of the Review of Austrian Economics. He is a contributing editor to the Foundation for Economic Education's magazine The Freeman and an adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute.

"Liberty and the State: A Virginia Political Economy Perspective"

2011-10-25T16:23:00.006-04:00

Join the GMU Economics Society and the Future of Freedom Foundation in welcoming economist, professor, and author Charles K. Rowley lecture on "Liberty and the State: A Virginia Political Economy Perspective"!

Wednesday, November 2nd
5:30 pm – Free Pizza ($0)
6:00 pm – Lecture with Q&A
8:00 pm – Social Hour at Brion’s Grille (across the street from George Mason in University Mall)

Check out the Facebook events for the Lecture and Social!

Biography:
Charles K. Rowley is a Professor of Economics at GMU and General Director of The Locke Institute. He is editor (joint) of 'Public Choice' (since May 1990), Honorary Lifetime President of The European Public Choice Society, founding editor of 'The International Review of Law and Economics' 1981-87, member of the Editorial Board of 'The Review of Austrian Economics', and memeber of the Academic Advisory Council of The Institute of Economic Affairs.

Second Law & Economics Seminar TOMORROW

2011-10-19T10:51:00.000-04:00

Join the Economics Society for some zero-price snacks, good company, and the first session of the FFF Law & Economics Seminar with Jacob Hornberger TOMORROW!

When: Thursday October at 6pm
Where: Student Union Building II (HUB) at GMU -- Room 2

This semester the seminar will focus on monetary policy within the context of the Legal Tender Cases.

For the second session, we will start with a discussion of the MAJORITY OPINION; one should prepare to discuss the facts of the case, the court's holding, and the reason's for the court's holding.

Opinions in the Legal Tender Cases

Jacob Hornberger is founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation. He was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and received his B.A. in economics from Virginia Military Institute and his law degree from the University of Texas. He was a trial attorney for twelve years in Texas. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Dallas, where he taught law and economics.

Ey Snooks!

2011-10-14T13:42:00.004-04:00

Join the GMU Economics Society as we welcome economist and professor Daniel J. D'Amico at the following lecture!

Man, Economy, and State meets Gym, Tan, Laundry:
the Political Economy in and of the Jersey Shore

THIS TUESDAY -- 6pm: Back Ballroom of SUB II (HUB)

Food will be served! Feel free to dress for the occasion! Check out the event on Facebook!

Daniel J. D’Amico is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Loyola University in New Orleans. Dan completed his PhD in Economics from George Mason University in 2008. His doctoral dissertation, “The Imprisoner’s Dilemma: The Political Economy of Proportionate Punishment,” was awarded the Israel M. Kirzner Award for best dissertation in Austrian Economics by the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics.

Daniel’s research has been published in a variety of scholarly outlets including Public Choice, Advances in Austrian Economics, The Journal of Private Enterprise, and the Erasmus Journal of Philosophy and Economics. He sits on the editorial board of Studies in Emergent Order and is on the executive committee for the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics.

His current research is focused upon applying insights from various political economy perspectives to understanding the processes of social change as they occur in punishment and incarceration.

David Friedman Video

2011-10-12T14:24:00.004-04:00

Check out the video from the FFF event with David Friedman:

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: David Friedman from The Future of Freedom Foundation on Vimeo.

David D. Friedman Lecture WEDNESDAY

2011-10-03T09:37:00.003-04:00

Join the GMU Economics Society and the Future of Freedom Foundation in welcoming economist, professor, and author David D. Friedman lecture on "Market Failure: An Argument Both For and Against Government"!

Wednesday, October 5th
5:30 pm – Free Pizza ($0)
6:00 pm – Lecture with Q&A
8:00 pm – Social Hour at Brion’s Grille (across the street from George Mason in University Mall)

Check out the Facebook events for the Lecture and Social!

David D. Friedman is a Professor of Law at Santa Clara University, an American economist, author, and libertarian theorist. He is known as a leader in anarchist political theory, which is the subject of his most popular book, "The Machinery of Freedom" (1973, revised 1989). He has authored others, including "Price Theory: An Intermediate Text" (1986), "Law's Order: What Economics Has to Do with Law and Why It Matters" (2000), "Hidden Order: The Economics of Everyday Life" (1996), and "Future Imperfect" (2008).

First Law & Economics Seminar TOMORROW

2011-09-21T09:51:00.003-04:00

Join the Economics Society for some zero-price snacks, good company, and the first session of the FFF Law & Economics Seminar with Jacob Hornberger TOMORROW!

When: Thursday September 22 at 6pm
Where: Student Union Building II (HUB) at GMU -- Room 1

This semester the seminar will focus on monetary policy within the context of the Legal Tender Cases.

For the first session, we will start with a discussion of the majority opinion; one should prepare to discuss the facts of the case, the court's holding, and the reason's for the court's holding.

Opinions in the Legal Tender Cases

Jacob Hornberger is founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation. He was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and received his B.A. in economics from Virginia Military Institute and his law degree from the University of Texas. He was a trial attorney for twelve years in Texas. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Dallas, where he taught law and economics.

David Schmidtz: The Institution of Property

2011-09-12T20:27:00.007-04:00

Join the GMU Economics Society at the Arlington campus in welcoming University of Arizona philosophy and economics Professor David Schmidtz!

Friday, September 16th
3:30pm - we will meet at the Rappahannock River Lane bus station to take the
------------ Mason-to-Metro shuttle
4:30pm - lecture and Q & A in Hazel Hall - Room 120
6:00pm - social at Bailey's Pub & Grill

Topic: "The Institution of Property" - email caralynnreddig@gmail.com for a copy of his paper!

David Schmidtz is Kendrick Professor of Philosophy, joint Professor of Economics, and founding director of Arizona’s Freedom Center. He works mainly in ethics, environmental ethics, rational choice, and political philosophy.

After graduating from Arizona in 1988, he spent six years at Yale, the first three as assistant professor, the next three as associate professor. Along the way, he spent a year at Chapel Hill, one at Kansas State, three semesters at Bowling Green, then returned to the U of A in 1995. He also taught first year property at Florida State College of Law in fall 2007.

If you plan to drive or venture to Arlington at a different time,
find directions here.

Check out the Facebook event and the Social on Facebook!

James Bovard Video

2011-09-12T14:17:00.003-04:00

Author and lecturer James Bovard "On Prosperity and Freedom and the Obama Administration".

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: James Bovard from The Future of Freedom Foundation on Vimeo.

Economics Society Welcome Reception TONIGHT

2011-09-08T11:34:00.003-04:00

Join the Econ Society TONIGHT for the first meeting of the year! Talk some econ, meet fellow econ-lovers, eat some zero-price food, and discuss ideas for future Economics Society events!

When: 7:20pm
Where: Enterprise 318, Fairfax Campus

Check out the event on Facebook!

James Bovard: On Prosperity and Freedom

2011-09-07T08:06:00.003-04:00

Join the GMU Econ Society & FFF in welcoming lecturer and author James Bovard!

Date: Wednesday, September 7th
5:30 pm – Free Pizza ($0)
6:00 pm – Lecture with Q&A
8:00 pm – Social Hour at Brion’s Grille (across the street from George Mason in University Mall)

Location: GMU Campus' Johnson Center Cinema

Topic: Prosperity and Freedom and the Obama Administration

Biography:
James Bovard is policy advisor to the Future of Freedom Foundation and author of nine books, including Attention Deficit Democracy (2006), The Bush Betrayal (2004), and Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty (1994). He has written for the New York times Wall Street Journal, Playboy, Washington Post, New Republic, Reader's Digest, and many other publications. His books have been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, and Korean. He is a contributing editor for American Conservative magazine and The Freeman and a regular contributor to Freedom Daily magazine.

Check out the event on Facebook!

Supply & Demand Music Video Contest Open to All Students

2011-08-26T16:33:00.001-04:00

The Hackley Endowment for the Study of Capitalism and Free Enterprise at Fayetteville State University is pleased to announce the supply and demand music video contest open to all students across the nation!

Topic: A Music Video that explains supply & demand in a creative and entertaining fashion.

“You can focus on whatever aspect of supply and demand that you wish, but things to consider are what would happen if prices were too high or too low, and how the free market price system helps coordinate buyers and sellers. Many good videos have story lines behind them, so you might think about giving it that extra personal dimension.

Don’t be overly technical and just put the main lessons of supply and demand to any kind of music. The most important requirement is to have fun!”

The grand prize winner receives a plaque and $2,500! Second and third prize entries receive $300 and $200 respectively. Professors of the students receive a plaque, along with a check for $500 if the student wins. Honorable mentions receive free copies of Atlas Shrugged.

The judges of the video contest are Edward Stringham of Fayetteville State University, Mike Munger of Duke University, and the famous “Fear the Boom and Bust” producer John Papola.

Deadline: December 15, 2011

For more details and requirements, visit: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188291854569928.

New Facebook Page!

2011-06-21T15:35:00.002-04:00

Like us on Facebook!

Dan Klein Video

2011-06-21T15:25:00.002-04:00

GMU Economics Professor Daniel Klein discusses Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments:

Adam Smith: An Overview of His Ethical Vision from Daniel B. Klein on Vimeo.

The Morality of Profit

2011-06-20T14:02:00.009-04:00

Check out the Atlas Network's newest video on the Morality of Profit!

Dinner & Discussion of Adam Smith with Prof. Dan Klein

2011-04-24T23:57:00.002-04:00

Join the GMU Economics Society in welcoming GMU Econ Prof. Daniel Klein to discuss Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments. The Econ Society will be providing dinner with the discussion.

Wednesday, May 4th at 6:00pm

Enterprise 318

Daniel Klein is a Professor of Economics at George Mason University. He holds degrees from George Mason University and New York University, where in both cases he studied the classical liberal traditions of economics. His teaching focuses on economic principles and public policy issues.

Professor Klein has published research on policy issues including toll roads, urban transit, auto emission, credit reporting, and the Food and Drug Administration. He has also written on spontaneous order, the discovery of opportunity, the demand and supply of assurance, why government officials believe in the goodness of bad policy, and the relationship between liberty, dignity, and responsibility.
Klein is the coauthor of Curb Rights: A Foundation for Free Enterprise in Urban Transit, editor of Reputation: Studies in the Voluntary Elicitation of Good Conduct, and editor of What Do Economists Contribute?

Recently, Klein has coauthored with Alex Tabarrok a comprehensive Web site on the Food and Drug Administration (FDAReview.org), and co-edited with Fred Foldvary a book The Half-Life of Policy Rationales: How New Technology Affects Old Policy Issues (New York University Press, 2003).

Bryan Caplan on Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids

2011-04-20T17:40:00.002-04:00

GMU Economics Professor Bryan Caplan will be giving a talk on his new book "Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids." After the talk, there will be Q&A and a social time with refreshments.

Wednesday, April 27th

at 5:30pm

in Lecture Hall Room 1

GMU Fairfax campus

Prof. Caplan was recently on Fox discussing his book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GkA7mraYdw

Bryan Caplan is an Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason University and an adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute. His articles have appeared in the American Economic Review, the Economic Journal, the Journal of Law and Economics, Social Science Quarterly, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and many other outlets.

Bryan Caplan is the author of The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies. His current project is a new book, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being a Great Parent Is Less Work and More Fun Than You Think.

His webpage, http://www.bcaplan.com/, features both his academic research and his numerous other interests.

Bryan Caplan blogs on EconLog along with Arnold Kling and David Henderson.

Larry White Video

2011-04-11T12:35:00.007-04:00

Below is the video for the FFF & GMU Econ Society lecture with Lawrence H. White held at George Mason University on Monday, April 4th.

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Lawrence H. White from The Future of Freedom Foundation on Vimeo.

Conference at Cato

2011-04-06T14:09:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow afternoon the Cato Institute will be hosting a conference entitled "The Economic Impact of Government Spending". The event will feature Senator Bob Corker (R-TN); Senator Mike Lee (R-UT); Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Vice Chairman, Joint Economic Committee; Vito Tanzi, Honorary President of the International Institute of Public Finance; former Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department, International Monetary Fund; Richard Vedder, Distinguished Professor of Economics, Ohio University, Adjunct Scholar, American Enterprise Institute; Daniel Mitchell, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute; Phil Gramm, UBS Investment Bank; former U.S. Senator from Texas.

Commencing at 2:00pm and concluding at 6:00pm, the conference will address the dramatic increase in government spending, its economic consequences, and ways to address the burden it may have on the economy.

Further information can be found here; register today!

Summer Fellowship Opportunity with the Institute for Justice

2011-04-05T20:40:00.002-04:00

The Institute for Justice is seeking fellows for its summer internship program. The Maffucci Fellowship is an incredible opportunity & I would encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Details for the fellowship are below:

The fellowship includes assisting with exciting research projects, helping track situations and legislation across the country, and providing valuable administrative support to staff on a variety of tasks. Fellows gain inimitable experience on the front lines of the fight for liberty.

The Maffucci Fellowships are full-time and the duration is flexible, from 3 to 6 months. Fellows receive a monthly stipend, and undergraduates are encouraged to attempt to obtain academic credit for their work.

Candidates should possess exceptional writing skills, be attentive to detail, and have a strong commitment to individual freedom as well as a familiarity with eminent domain abuse, free speech issues, school choice and economic liberty.

Please send a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation, and writing sample to the attention of:

Christina Walsh
Director of Activism and Coalitions
Institute for Justice
901 N. Glebe Road, Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22203
Email (preferred): cwalsh@ij.org
Fax: (703) 682-9321
Application Deadline: Rolling

More employment and internship opportunities at IJ: http://www.ij.org/jobs

Larry White: The Threat to Sound Money and the Free Banking Solution

2011-03-15T17:23:00.002-04:00

Join the GMU Econ Society & FFF in welcoming GMU Professor of Economics, Lawrence H. White.

Date: Monday, April 4th
5:30 pm – Free Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Social Hour at Brion’s Grille (across the street from George Mason)

Location:

Student Union Building II - Rooms 5-7
4450 Rivanna River Lane
Fairfax, VA

Topic: The Threat to Sound Money and the Free Banking Solution

Biography:
Lawrence H. White specializes in the theory and history of banking and money. He received his A.B. from Harvard and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He previously taught at New York University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Missouri - St. Louis.

Professor White is the author of The Theory of Monetary Institutions (1999), Free Banking in Britain (2nd ed., 1995), and Competition and Currency (1989). He is the editor of The History of Gold and Silver (3 vols., 2000), Free Banking (3 vols., 1993), and other volumes. His articles on monetary theory and banking history have appeared in the American Economic Review, the Journal of Economic Literature, the Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking, and other leading professional journals.

In 2008 he received the Distinguished Scholar Award of the Association for Private Enterprise Education. He has been a visiting research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, a visiting lecturer at the Swiss National Bank, and a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Professor White is a co-editor of Econ Journal Watch and a member of the board of associate editors of the Review of Austrian Economics. He is a contributing editor to the Foundation for Economic Education's magazine The Freeman and an adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute.

Political and Economic Change in Egypt and the Middle East

2011-02-28T03:18:00.002-05:00

Join the Mercatus Center and GMU Econ Society in welcoming four panelists to discuss the recent changes in Egypt: Dr. Ramachandran, Chris Coyne, Jack A. Goldstone, and Peshwaz Faizulla.

Thursday, March 3rd at 6pm

Johnson Center Bistro (GMU Fairfax Campus)

The majority of the event will be centered around Q&A, so come prepared with your questions for the panelists!

Dr. Ramachandran recently retired after some 25 fascinating years working on a wide range of issues and countries at the World Bank and the IMF: banking reforms in Latin America, privatisation in Eastern Europe and the transformation of their economies, and the financial crisis of East Asia. This operational experience was leavened by some years in the Operations Evaluation Department examining the effectiveness of the World Bank’s loans and country assistance. He has also contributed to and authored major reports including "Economic Growth in the 1990s: Learning from a Decade of Reform" the Development Policy Review report on Egypt and most recently "Natural Hazards, UnNatural Disasters: The Economics of Effective Prevention."

Chris Coyne is the F.A. Harper Professor of Economics at the Mercatus Center and a member of the Department of Economics at George Mason University. He is also the North American Editor of The Review of Austrian Economics, a member of the Board of Scholars for the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, and he was named the Hayek Fellow at the London School of Economics in 2008. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University and has since authored and edited numerous academic articles, book chapters, and policy studies. Prof. Coyne is the author of "After War: The Political Economy of Exporting Democracy."

Jack A. Goldstone is the Virginia E. and John T. Hazel Professor of Public Policy and a Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He received his Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University. He has previously taught at Northwestern University and the University of California, Davis, where he was Professor of Sociology and International Relations. He has authored or edited ten books and published over one hundred articles in books and scholarly journals. He is currently director of the Center for Global Policy in Mason’s School of Public Policy, and editor of Foreign Policy Bulletin.

Peshwaz Faizulla is currently an editor for the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, working with their Kurdish and Persian websites. Prior to beginning this work, he was managing editor of Hawlati, the highest circulated newspaper in northern Iraq, and on the editorial board of the independent news agency, Voices of Iraq. He received his BA in English from Suliemany University, and his MS in Journalism from Columbia University in New York.

Tom Palmer: Democratic Liberalism and Free Markets - Necessary Partners?

2011-02-25T09:56:00.003-05:00

Join the GMU Econ Society & FFF in welcoming Tom Palmer of the Cato Institute & Atlas Economic Research Foundation!

Date: Monday, March 7th
5:30 pm – Free Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Social Hour at Brion’s Grille (across the street from George Mason)

Topic: Democratic Liberalism, Limited Government, Free Markets: Necessary Partners?

Location: Johnson Center Cinema

GMU Fairfax Campus

4400 University Drive

Fairfax, VA

Biography:
Tom G. Palmer is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, and director of Cato University, the Institute's educational arm. Palmer is also the vice president for international programs at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, and is responsible for establishing operating programs in 14 languages and managing programs for a worldwide network of think tanks.

Before joining Cato he was an H. B. Earhart Fellow at Hertford College, Oxford University, and a vice president of the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University. He frequently lectures in North America, Europe, Eurasia, Africa, Latin America, China, and the Middle East on political science, public choice, civil society, and the moral, legal, and historical foundations of individual rights.

He has published reviews and articles on politics and morality in scholarly journals such as the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, Ethics, Critical Review, and Constitutional Political Economy, as well as in publications such as Slate, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Die Welt, the Washington Post, and The Spectator of London. He received his B.A. in liberal arts from St. Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland, his M.A. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and his doctorate in politics from Oxford University. He is the author of Realizing Freedom: Libertarian Theory, History, and Practice, published in 2009.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us: gmueconsociety@gmail.com

David Hart on Bastiat

2011-02-22T20:20:00.001-05:00

David Bernstein Video

2011-02-16T11:28:00.002-05:00

Below is the video for the FFF & GMU Econ Society lecture with David Bernstein held on Monday, February 7th:

Economic Liberty Lecture Series - David E. Bernstein from The Future of Freedom Foundation on Vimeo.

Deirdre McCloskey Video

2011-02-10T19:37:00.010-05:00

Here is the video to Professor Deirdre McCloskey's lecture on "Bourgeois Dignity: Why (Non-Austrian) Economics Can't Explain the Modern World" on Wednesday February 9th.

Posted by the Mercatus Center

GMU Econ Society Nominated for Student Group of the Year -- Time to vote!

2011-01-10T13:05:00.003-05:00

Congratulations! The GMU Economics Society has been nominated for the SFL Student Group of the Year! This is a wonderful recognition….now we need your help to vote once a day for the Econ Society from now until February.

SFL Voting Rules:
Each person can vote once per day, but only once per day. We will be tracking IP addresses of voters, so if you vote multiple times per day all of your votes will be thrown out.

The winners will be announced at the International Students For Liberty Conference in February. If we win, all of our members will be recognized on stage! If you haven’t already registered for the conference, please do so here:http://politicalconferences.org/2010/07/2011-international-students-for-liberty-conference/

And vote here once a day:http://www.surveymonkey.com/2011sflawards

Edwin Vieira Video

2010-12-08T10:49:00.003-05:00

Here is the second part of Dr. Edwin Vieira's lecture on "A Constitutional Path to Monetary Reform" on November 3rd.

Edwin Vieira GMU 11/3/2010 from GMU Econ Society on Vimeo.

Unfortunately, there were some problems with the first tape, and it may not be viewable.

T-shirt Orders and Payment

2010-11-29T16:46:00.004-05:00

T-shirt orders and and money are due by WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15th to Carly/Meg!

Email Carly Reddig and/or Meg Patrick at caralynnreddig@gmail.com, megpatrick11@gmail.com with your size to order!

Masonomics design: $15-20, $20 down (the higher the order, the lower the price)
http://www.customink.com/designs/masonomics/cry0-000g-nxn9/retrieve

Capitalism-Saved-the-Whales: $15
http://www.customink.com/designs/capwhaless/cry0-000g-m1fh/retrieve

Opponents of The Coordination Problem faced a coordination problem tonight

2010-11-07T18:06:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately, the GMU Econ Society volleyball team, The Coordination Problem, was deprived of a game tonight due to their opponents' inability to coordinate enough players to come out to the game. No bargaining was possible - and The Coordination Problem now holds one win under their belt!

Support The Coordination Problem as they take on APO tomorrow night at 9:30pm at the RAC. Come out with an open mind, as our method of destruction will be rather creative.

Edwin Vieira: The Constitutional Path to Monetary Reform

2010-11-02T11:13:00.002-04:00

Join the Econ Society in welcoming Constitutional Law Expert Edwin Vieira on Wednesday, November 3rd at 6:00pm in Sub I rooms A-C. Refreshments to be served after the event!

Edwin Vieira, Jr., holds four degrees from Harvard: A.B. (Harvard College), A.M. and Ph.D. (Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences), and J.D. (Harvard Law School).
For more than thirty years he has practiced law, with emphasis on constitutional issues. In the Supreme Court of the United States he successfully argued or briefed the cases leading to the landmark decisions Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, Chicago Teachers Union v. Hudson, and Communications Workers of America v. Beck, which established constitutional and statutory limitations on the uses to which labor unions, in both the private and the public sectors, may apply fees extracted from nonunion workers as a condition of their employment.

He has written numerous monographs and articles in scholarly journals, and lectured throughout the county. His most recent work on money and banking is the two-volume Pieces of Eight: The Monetary Powers and Disabilities of the United States Constitution (2002), the most comprehensive study in existence of American monetary law and history viewed from a constitutional perspective.

Don Boudreaux's "Liberty, Legislation, and Law" VIDEO

2010-10-13T12:49:00.003-04:00

Professor Boudreaux's talk on "Liberty, Legislation, and Law" is now up - check out the video!

http://www.fff.org/comment/com1010c.asp

This Week's Upcoming Events

2010-09-20T18:37:00.003-04:00

GMU Economics Society Meeting
Wednesday, September 22nd, at 5:00pm
Enterprise 318

Atlas Liberty Café with Peter Boettke
Wednesday, September 22nd at 10am
At the Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC

The Atlas Economic Research Foundation hosts monthly Liberty Café’s. This month’s Liberty Café will focus on the Wall Street Journal article, "Spreading Hayek, Spurning Keynes." George Mason University Professor of Economics Dr. Peter J. Boettke will discuss the current economic crisis, its causes and a free market response. To RSVP for the event, please contact Anca.Rusu@atlasnetwork.org.

A couple of us will be going in together - we're taking the Mason to Metro shuttle at 8:40am and then taking the metro in - if you'd like to join, meet at the Mason to Metro Shuttle Stop right by Rappahannock Parking Deck. Email me at liya02@gmail.com for details or questions.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145624268808425#!/event.php?eid=154405574577515&ref=ts

Cato on Campus: Balancing Liberty and Security in an Age of Terrorism
Friday, September 24th at 4:00pm
At the Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC

Come out to the FIRST DC Forum For Freedom Event at the Cato Institute. The event will be featuring David Rittgers, Legal Policy Analyst, Cato Institute; and Michael German, National Security Policy Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union; moderated by Chip Bishop, Manager of Student Programs, Cato Institute.

This will be a great opportunity to meet the Cato Scholars as well as other students from George Washington University, Georgetown, American, Maryland—and more! There will be a FREE reception to follow. To register: http://www.cato.org/events/100924sf.html

If you want to metro in, a bunch of us will be meeting at at the Mason to Metro shuttle at 2:40pm and taking the metro in - if you'd like to join, meet at the Mason to Metro Shuttle Stop right by Rappahannock Parking Deck. Email me at liya02@gmail.com for details or questions. The dress code is business casual. After the event & reception, there will be the Mason Liberty Social (see next event below for details).

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145624268808425#!/event.php?eid=152252314795032&ref=ts

Mason Students For Liberty Social
Friday, September 24th at 6:30pm
Hunan Number 1 - 3033 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA

Hunan happy hours have been a great way for Mason and DC area liberty groups to come together! Come join Mason Liberty again this year for great discussion and networking-Friday, September 24th at 6:30 pm. If you’ll be at the Cato for Campus Event on Friday, all of us will be heading to the social after the Cato event. Hope to see you guys there!

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145624268808425

Economics Society Discussion Group
Wednesday, September 29th at 5pm
Enterprise 318

Next week’s reading will be the first History of Economic Thought paper of the semester before we dive into specific schools of thought. Email us so we can send you the paper!

Be sure to come out to the discussion group and bring your questions!

Additionally, we’ll start using the Econ Discussion Group on Facebook, so be sure to join that as well: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=160522500628158&ref=ts

Reminders:

Students for Liberty Mid-Atlantic Conference
Saturday, October 9th
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Have you registered for the Students For Liberty Mid-Atlantic Conference yet? If you haven’t be sure to do so ASAP! Join Students For Liberty in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania birthplace of the Declaration of Independence as Drexel University’s Student Liberty Front hosts the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Regional Students For Liberty Conference. Come meet fellow students as we improve our knowledge and understand of individualism and free markets. The Mid-Atlantic Conference is your opportunity to meet other students interested in similar ideas and some of the biggest names in the liberty movement. Leave with the skills necessary to be a leader for liberty on campus, a stronger intellectual framework, connections to new friends and organizations dedicated to liberty, and a revitalized vision for the future of the freedom movement. As of now, there are over 100 registered students – you don’t want to miss out!

Registration and attendance is FREE, as are all of the events and meals during the day-long conference. Several members of the GMU Econ Society have already registered, and we're planning on carpooling up there - so if concern over transportation is holding you back, worry no longer! If you have registered for the conference and need a ride, email us back ASAP so we can start planning. And if you’ve registered and would LIKE to drive, let us know how many you’re able to take. The drive is about 2-2 ½ hours. Additionally, accommodations will be taken care of as well – just be sure to note that in your registration application and they will get you connected to stay with students at Drexel. To find out more about the conference and to register, visit: http://politicalconferences.org/2009/10/philadelphia-conference/.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1188099640258#!/event.php?eid=110082322375037&ref=ts

Fall 2010 Economics Department Welcome Reception
Thursday, September 23, 3-4:30pm
Economics Department, Enterprise 354

Econ majors and minors are invited to come enjoy refreshments and meet professors and advisers. This is a great way to meet other economics students, as well as a way to get to talk to your professors outside of a classroom environment. There will also be a raffle...you can win some free books (possibly signed by some of your professors)!

Atlas Liberty Cafe with Peter Boettke

2010-09-20T17:02:00.003-04:00

Atlas Economic Liberty Cafe with Peter Boettke
Spreading Hayek, Spurning Keynes

This month’s Liberty Café will focus on the Wall Street Journal article, "Spreading Hayek, Spurning Keynes." George Mason University Professor of Economics Peter Boettke will discuss the current economic crisis, its causes and a free market response.

Wednesday, September 22nd
at 10:00am
Cato Institute,
1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC

A couple of us will be going in together - we're taking the Mason to Metro shuttle at 8:40am and then taking the metro in - if you'd like to join, meet at the Mason to Metro Shuttle Stop right by Rappahannock Parking Deck. Email gmueconsociety@gmail.com for details or questions.

Hope to see you there!

Bryan Caplan on “Immigration Restrictions--A Solution in Search of a Problem”

2010-09-07T17:52:00.001-04:00

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Bryan Caplan
“Immigration Restrictions--A Solution in Search of a Problem”
Monday, September 13th, 5:30pm
Johnson Center Cinema (bottom floor)

We will be having dinner, a lecture by GMU Economics Professor Bryan Caplan, and a social hour at Brion’s Grille.

5:30 pm – Free Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Social Hour at Brion’s Grille (across the street from George Mason)
ADMISSION: FREE

SPEAKER: Bryan Caplan is an Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason University and an adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute. His articles have appeared in the American Economic Review, the Economic Journal, the Journal of Law and Economics, Social Science Quarterly, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and many other outlets.

Bryan Caplan is the author of The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies. His current project is a new book, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being a Great Parent Is Less Work and More Fun Than You Think.

His webpage, http://www.bcaplan.com, features both his academic research and his numerous other interests.

Bryan Caplan blogs on EconLog along with Arnold Kling and David Henderson.

Social Hour: At Brion’s Grille, across the street from George Mason. 10621 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032-2200

Questions? Need directions to the campus or room? Email us! gmueconsociety@gmail.com

Upcoming September Events

2010-09-06T23:30:00.003-04:00

First GMU Economics Society Meeting
Wednesday, September 8th, 5pm
Enterprise 318

Come out to the first GMU Economics Society meeting to learn more about the Econ Society and ways to get involved, help with planning events, and share your ideas for events this year! This is a great way to meet the new officers, other members, and Economics students!

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Bryan Caplan
“Immigration Restrictions--A Solution in Search of a Problem”
Monday, September 13th, 5:30pm
Johnson Center Cinema (bottom floor)

We will be having dinner, a lecture by GMU Economics Professor Bryan Caplan, and a social hour at Brion’s Grille.

5:30 pm – Free Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Social Hour at Brion’s Grille (across the street from George Mason)
ADMISSION: FREE

SPEAKER: Bryan Caplan is an Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason University and an adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute. His articles have appeared in the American Economic Review, the Economic Journal, the Journal of Law and Economics, Social Science Quarterly, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and many other outlets.

Bryan Caplan is the author of The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies. His current project is a new book, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being a Great Parent Is Less Work and More Fun Than You Think.

His webpage, http://www.bcaplan.com, features both his academic research and his numerous other interests, including the online Museum of Communism.

Bryan Caplan blogs on EconLog along with Arnold Kling and David Henderson.

Social Hour: At Brion’s Grille, across the street from George Mason. 10621 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032-2200

Fall 2010 Economics Department Welcome Reception
Thursday, September 23rd, 3-4:30pm
Economics Department, Enterprise Hall 354

Econ majors and minors are invited to come enjoy refreshments and meet professors and advisers. This is a great way to meet other economics students, as well as a way to get to talk to your professors outside of a classroom environment. There will also be a raffle...you can win some free books (possibly signed by some of your professors)!

Questions? Email us: gmueconsociety@gmail.com

Mercatus Center hosts Bastiat event on June 8

2010-05-18T23:06:00.001-04:00

The Mercatus Center invites you to.... "Frédéric Bastiat: A Beautiful Mind,” A lecture by Jacques de Guenin, Founder and President, of Cercle Frédéric Bastiat. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 8 from 4:00pm – 5:30pm at the Mercatus Center Board Room, 4th Floor, Hazel Hall
3301 N. Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22201

How much do you know about the father of the broken window fallacy?
French Economist. Philosopher. Judge. Politician. Frédéric Bastiat ranks among
the greatest economic communicators of all time. His writings and insights are as
relevant and provocative today as they were in the early 19th Century.
In this special presentation, distinguished Bastiat scholar Jacques de Guenin,
Founder and President of the Cercle Frédéric Bastiat, will reacquaint us with
this important hero of liberty and markets.
Come learn about this extraordinary advocate for human freedom.

To register or for more information, please contact Megan Gandee at
mmahan@gmu.edu or 703-993-4967

Video: Larry White on Sound Money

2010-05-03T13:55:00.003-04:00

The video for Larry White's lecture on Sound Money is available here -- be sure to check it out!

http://www.soundmoneyproject.org/?p=1335

GMU Econ Society Officers, 2010-2011

2010-04-29T20:22:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to the new officers!

President:

Liya Palagashvili

Vice President:

Meg Patrick

Treasurer:

Sara Williams

Secretary:

Maria Andersen

Communications Chair:

Andrew LaClair

Marketing Chair:

Aaron Emery

Econ Discussion Group Leader:

Carly Reddig

Social Chair:

Catherine Ciskanik

The Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation videos on Taxes

2010-04-26T09:27:00.003-04:00

Here are the newest videos from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation:
Dan Mitchell of the Cato Institute on the flat tax rate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhUOpNve1bY

and Hiwa Alaghebandian on the compliance cost of the internal revenue code:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX8EswfGKQw

Upcoming April Events

2010-04-10T00:26:00.002-04:00

Larry H. White: Sound Money & Free Banking

Monday, April 19th at 5pm

SUB II -- Room 7

George Mason University, Fairfax Campus

Refreshments will be provided after the lecture.

Facebook event for more details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111520358870947&ref=ts

Dan Mitchell: The Case for Radical Government Downsizing

Wednesday, April 21st at 4pm

Johnson Center Meeting Room G (3rd floor of JC)

George Mason University, Fairfax campus

Refreshments will be provided. We also invite you to join us for a social with the speaker after the event at Brion's Grille (right across the street from George Mason)

Facebook event for more details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107638345940495&ref=ts

Transform Americas: Lessons from the Economic Transformation of Chile

Tuesday, April 27th at 4:30pm

Johnson Center Meeting Room A (3rd floor of JC)

George Mason University, Fairfax campus

Refreshments will be provided.

Facebook event for more details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100187346691451&ref=ts

Lean more about Transform Americas: http://www.transformamericas.org/

Economic Society Officer Elections

Thursday, April 29th at 6pm

Enterprise 318

Please email your interest to run for a position to gmueconsociety@gmail.com by Friday, April 23rd.

Separation of Health & State Debate Video

2010-04-01T20:49:00.005-04:00

All,

The video for Debate over the Separation of Health & State with Economists Bryan Caplan and David Balan is now up!

Debate: Separation of Health & State from GMU Econ Society on Vimeo.

This is only the debate portion -- unfortunately the audience Q&A did not come out due to technical difficulties.

Dr. Caplan also set-up a resource page where you can have access to the opening statements by both debaters, the PowerPoint slides, and the video, check it out:

http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/hsdeb.htm

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Richard M. Ebeling

2010-03-30T20:57:00.001-04:00

The GMU Economics Society & the Future of Freedom Foundation invite you to the last installment of the Economic Liberty Lecture Series of this year with Dr. Richard Ebeling.

Dr. Ebeling will be speaking on "America's New Road to Serfdom -- and the Continuing Relevance of Austrian Economics"

Economic Liberty Lecture Series --
Dinner, Lecture, and Social Hour

DATE: April 5, 2010 – Monday
PLACE: George Mason University - Student Union Building II -- Rooms 5-7

5:30 pm – Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Social hour at Brion's Grille
ADMISSION: FREE

Speaker: Richard M. Ebeling is a Professor of Economics at Northwood University. He was formerly President of the Foundation for Economic Education (2003-2008), was the Ludwig von Mises Professor of Economics at Hillsdale College (1988-2003) in Hillsdale, Michigan, and served as Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Future of Freedom Foundation (1989-2003).
His most recent book is Political Economy, Public Policy and Monetary Economics: Ludwig von Mises and the Austrian Tradition (Routledge, 2010)

Social Hour:
Come join us at a social hour at Brion's Grille in Fairfax, Virginia, right next to George Mason University - 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 352-7272

Questions? Email us:
gmueconsociety@gmail.com

DEBATE: The Separation of Health & State

2010-03-08T22:19:00.005-05:00

The GMU Economics Society will be hosting a debate entitled "The Separation of Health & State" between GMU Economics Professor Bryan Caplan and Economist David Balan.

Wednesday, March 24th at 5pm

Enterprise 80 (George Mason University -- Fairfax Campus)

The Resolution: "Significant governmental involvement in health care is both economically sensible and morally just."

Dr. David Balan will defend the motion that "Significant governmental involvement in health care is both economically sensible and morally just," while Dr. Bryan Caplan will oppose the motion and advocate for a separation between health and state.

Event Schedule:

Opening Statements by both debaters

Debate -- with moderator

Closing Statements

Audience Q&A

Refreshments with speakers and attendees

Come out to see the arguments for both sides and determine the winner of this important issue. This is definitely an event you don't want to miss out on -- mark your calendars!

Questions? Need Directions? Email us! gmueconsociety@gmail.com

Ski Liberty!

2010-03-03T16:10:00.001-05:00

Finally, after much anticipation, we have ironed out all of the details concerning this much-talked-about ski-trip. We'll be hitting the slopes at Liberty Mountain this Saturday, March 6th - and with all the recent snow they've had, it looks like we've picked the perfect time to shred some snow.

If we can get 15 people to come, we can get the group discount - and honestly, since we're skiing a mountain with such a cool name, I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to go! Provided we can get the group discount:

Lift tickets will be $50 (valid on all open trails and lifts)

Learn to ski/snowboard package will be $66 (only valid in beginner areas; includes rental equipment and guaranteed lesson)

All-mountain package will be $78 (valid on all open lifts and trails; includes rental equipment and a lesson at your skill level)

In order to get the group discount, however, we have to pre-book our tickets. Thus, if you can RSVP to either gmueconsociety@gmail.com or megpatrick11@gmail.com by 10 am on Friday, I would be much appreciative. Include your name, what sort of pass you'll want, and if you'll be able to drive (I'll contact all those who have agreed to drive later to confirm whether or not we'll actually need your set of wheels). You can go to http://www.skiliberty.com/lmr/index.aspx to learn more about the different passes. I'll take care of booking the group tickets, provided we can get enough interest. Honestly, this is such a great opportunity, you'd be silly to miss it!

In the extremely narrow off-chance that we don't get 15 people to agree to come on this trip, these will the rates:

Rental:

Skis: $38.00

Snowboards$44.00

Lifts:

8 hour flex: $58.00

Extended (open to close): $63.00

Additionally, the slopes are open from 8am - 10pm on Saturdays. Since we'll be driving in separate vehicles, I figure we can divide people up on Saturday based on how long they want to stay.

Hope to see you all on the slopes!

Students For Liberty Defeats Bigotry at CPAC

2010-02-23T18:35:00.000-05:00

Sheldon Richman: Capitalism versus the Free Market

2010-02-20T21:13:00.001-05:00

Join the GMU Economics Society & the Future Freedom Foundation by coming out to a lecture by the editor of the Freeman at FEE, Sheldon Richman!

Economic Liberty Lecture Series --
Dinner, Lecture, and Social Hour

DATE: March 1, 2010 – Monday
PLACE: George Mason University - Johnson Center Cinema

5:30 pm – Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Social hour at Brion's Grille
ADMISSION: FREE

Speaker:
Sheldon Richman is editor of The Freeman, published by The Foundation for Economic Education in Irvington, New York, and serves as senior fellow at The Future of Freedom Foundation. He is the author of FFF's award-winning book Separating School & State: How to Liberate America's Families; Your Money or Your Life: Why We Must Abolish the Income Tax; and FFF's newest book Tethered Citizens: Time to Repeal the Welfare State.

Calling for the abolition, not the reform, of public schooling. Separating School & State has become a landmark book in both libertarian and educational circles. In his column in the Financial Times, Michael Prowse wrote: "I recommend a subversive tract, Separating School & State by Sheldon Richman of the Cato Institute, a Washington think tank... . I also think that Mr. Richman is right to fear that state education undermines personal responsibility..."

Mr. Richman's articles on population, federal disaster assistance, international trade, education, the environment, American history, foreign policy, privacy, computers, and the Middle East have appeared in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, American Scholar, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Washington Times, Insight, Cato Policy Report, Journal of Economic Development, The Freeman, The World & I, Reason, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, Middle East Policy, Liberty magazine, and other publications. He is a contributor to the Fortune Encyclopedia of Economics.

A former newspaper reporter and former senior editor at the Cato Institute, Mr. Richman is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia.

Social Hour:
Come join us at a social hour at Brion's Grille in Fairfax, Virginia, right next to George Mason University - 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 352-7272

Tyler Cowen on "Haiti: An Outsider's Perspective"

2010-02-08T01:00:00.003-05:00

Come out to the GMU Economics Society lecture with Tyler Cowen on Haiti: An Outsider's Perspective" -- Tuesday, February 16th at 5:30pm in Enterprise 80.
.

Jeffrey Miron event 2/8 has been canceled

2010-02-07T19:56:00.001-05:00

Due to inclement weather, tomorrow evening's event with Jeffrey Miron, "Obamanomics -- Growing the Pie or Dividing the Pie," has been canceled. We apologize for any inconveniences. We hope to see you at our other upcoming events.

Jeffrey Miron: Obamanomics -- Growing the Pie or Dividing the Pie?

2010-01-31T15:35:00.001-05:00

Come out to the first installment of the Economic Liberty Lecture Series of the semester with Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron!

Economic Liberty Lecture Series --
Dinner, Lecture, and Social Hour

DATE: February 8, 2010 – Monday
PLACE: George Mason University (Fairfax campus) - Johnson Center Cinema

5:30 pm – Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
8:00 pm – Social hour at Brion's Grille
ADMISSION: FREE

SPEAKER: Jeffrey Miron

Jeffrey A. Miron is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Economics at Harvard University. His area of expertise is the economics of libertarianism, with particular emphasis on the economics of illegal drugs. Miron has served on the faculty at the University of Michigan and as a visiting professor at the Sloan School of Management, M.I.T. and the Department of Economics, Harvard University. From 1992-1998, he was chairman of the Department of Economics at Boston University. He is the author of Drug War Crimes: The Consequences of Prohibition and The Economics of Seasonal Cycles, in addition to numerous opeds and journal articles. He has been the recipient of an Olin Fellowship from the National Bureau of Economic Research, an Earhart Foundation Fellowship, and a Sloan Foundation Faculty Research Fellowship. Miron received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Swarthmore College in 1979 and a Ph.D. in economics from M.I.T. in 1984.

Social Hour:
Come join us at a social hour at Brion's Grille in Fairfax, Virginia, right next to George Mason University - 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 352-7272

Presented by:

GMU Econ Society

The Future of Freedom Foundation
www.fff.org fff@fff.org (703) 934-6101

Dan Mitchell on Stimulus & Spending

2010-01-28T20:38:00.003-05:00

Dan Mitchell, tax policy expert of the Cato Institute, discusses the second proposed Stimulus and the real idea behind government spending. Check out these two incredibly educational and important videos:

Russ Roberts' "Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem

2010-01-25T20:24:00.003-05:00

A highly entertaining and educational video.... a must-watch. Enjoy & spread the word:

January Upcoming Events

2010-01-17T17:56:00.002-05:00

GMU Economics Society First Meeting
Thursday, January 21st at 6pm
Enterprise 318 (conference room) -- GMU Fairfax Campus
Learn about how you can become more involved in the Econ Society & if you have ideas for the Spring semester, come prepared to share them at the meeting! :)

Global Warming Realities & Fantasies
Friday, January 22nd at 4pm
F.A. Hayek Auditorium at the Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. 20001
Cato scholar, Climatologist and Environmental Scientist Patrick Michaels will puts the facts straight about global warming and will tackle the up-and-coming climate change legislation on Capitol Hill.

For more details and to register, visit the facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=244182689711&ref=ts
or
http://www.cato.org/events/100122sf.html

Internship & Seminar Information Session
Wednesday, January 27th at 6pm
Enterprise 318 -- GMU Fairfax Campus
Looking for an internship for Summer 2010? Come out to the Internship Information Session to meet with internship coordinators and learn about some of the greatest internship programs, including: the Koch Summer Fellowship Program (Public Policy Internship), IHS Internships and Seminars, IHS film, production and journalism opportunities, the Koch Internship Program (in DC), Cato Institute internships, FEE internships and seminars, and more!

Dan Mitchell on "The Real Fiscal Cost of Government-Run Healthcare"

2010-01-06T18:09:00.002-05:00

Dan Mitchell, Senior Fellow of the Cato Institute, explains the real cost of government-run health care in this video. Check it out:

"Who's Paying for Your Health Care?" Video

2010-01-02T15:19:00.003-05:00

Greetings,

The video for the Health Care Reform Panel is now up! The event was held on Wednesday, October 14 with panelists Robin Hanson, Stephen Davies, and Thomas Rustici. Check out Parts 1 & 2 here:
Who's Paying for Your Health Care?

Steve Horwitz: Do We Really Need a Central Bank?

2009-11-28T02:30:00.000-05:00

Come out to the last GMU Economics Society Event of the Semester!

Economic Liberty Lecture Series --
Dinner, Lecture, and Social Hour

DATE: December 2, 2009 – Wednesday
PLACE: George Mason University - Enterprise Hall - Room 80

5:00 pm – Pizza
5:30 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Social hour at Brion's Grille
ADMISSION: FREE

SPEAKER: Steve Horwitz - "Do we Really Need a Central Bank?"

Steven Horwitz is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. He is the author of two books, Microfoundations and Macroeconomics: An Austrian Perspective (Routledge, 2000) and Monetary Evolution, Free Banking, and Economic Order (Westview, 1992), and he has written extensively on Austrian economics, Hayekian political economy, monetary theory and history, and the economics and social theory of gender and the family. His work has been published in professional journals such as History of Political Economy, Southern Economic Journal, and The Cambridge Journal of Economics . He has also done public policy research for the Mercatus Center, Heartland Institute, Citizens for a Sound Economy, and the Cato Institute. His current project is a book tentatively titled Classical Liberalism and the Evolution of the Modern Family. Horwitz currently serves as the book review editor of The Review of Austrian Economics and as an academic advisor for the Heartland Institute and a contributing editor to Critical Review and Journal des Economistes et des Etudes Humaines. A member of the Mont Pelerin Society, he completed his MA and PhD in economics at George Mason University and received his A.B. in economics and philosophy from The University of Michigan.

Social Hour:
Come join us for a social hour at Brion's Grille in Fairfax, Virginia, right next to George Mason University - 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 352-7272

Presented by:

GMU Econ Society
http://www.gmueconsociety.blogspot.com

The Atlas Sound Money Project
http://atlasnetwork.org/programs/sound-money-project/

The Future of Freedom Foundation
http://www.fff.org
fff@fff.org
(703) 934-6101

Economic Contractions in the United States: A Failure of Government on 11/18 at 7:30pm in Innovation 103

2009-11-11T17:28:00.003-05:00

Dr. Charles Rowley will be discussing his newest book, "Economic Contractions in the United States: A Failure of Government," followed by a short Q&A with appetizers and beverages after the lecture.

***Economic Contractions in the United States: A Failure of Government will be on sale for discounted price of $8 at the event.***

Economic Contractions in the United States demonstrates that both the Great Depression and the current economic crisis/contraction were caused by failures of government, not capitalism. The book explains the causes of the 2008 financial crisis and offers a radical free-market approach to policy reform “designed to restore the United States economy to its stellar performance during the final fifteen years of the 20th century.”

Details:
Wednesday, November 18th at 7:30pm
in Innovation 103

Come out & get your copy of the book!

About the author:
Charles Rowley was born in Southampton England in 1939. He was educated at the University of Nottingham where he obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Economics in 1960 and a Ph. D. in Economics in 1964. He taught at the Universities of Nottingham, Kent, York and Newcastle upon Tyne and held summer fellowships in the Center for Socio-Legal Studies at Wolfson College, Oxford before migrating to the United States in January 1984 to join the Center for Study of Public Choice at George Mason University.

Dr. Rowley has written and edited some 40 books and some 200 scholarly papers in the fields of industrial organization, public choice, welfare economics, international trade and law-and-economics. His work consistently emphasizes the importance of private property rights, limited government and the rule of law as the basis for a free and prosperous society. Among his recent books are The Right to Justice (1992), Property Rights and the Limits of Democracy (edited 1993), Trade Protection in the United States (with Willem Thorbecke and Richard Wagner) (1995), The Political Economy of the Minimal State ( edited 1996) and Classical Liberalism and Civil Society (edited1997). He also edited Public Choice Theory (three volumes 1993), Social Choice Theory (three volumes 1993), The Economics of Budget Deficits (two volumes, with William F. Shughart, II and Robert D. Tollison, 2002), The Encyclopedia of Public Choice (two volumes, with Friedrich Schneider, 2004), and The Origins of Law and Economics: Essays by the Founding Fathers (with Francesco Parisi, 2005). He has recently edited, with introductions, in ten volumes, The Selected Works of Gordon Tullock (2004-6). His most recent book (co-authored with Nathanael Smith) is Economic Contractions in the United States: A Failure of Government (September 2009).

Dr. Rowley was a Founding Editor, 1980-1986, of The International Review of Law and Economics and served as Joint Editor of Public Choice between 1990 and 2007 He is Duncan Black Professor of Economics at George Mason University, General Director of the Program in Economics, Politics and the Law in the James Buchanan Center for Political Economy, and General Director of The Locke Institute, an independent non-profit educational foundation located in Fairfax, Virginia and dedicated to the advancement of classical liberal political economy.

Dan Mitchell: Consequences of Big Government

2009-11-05T19:52:00.001-05:00

Check out these two videos on the consequences of big government presented by Dan Mitchell from the Cato Institute:

Lawrence W. Reed: Great Myths of the Great Depression

2009-10-24T14:17:00.002-04:00

Greetings,

Please join us in the third installment of our Economic Liberty Lecture Series with Lawrence W. Reed on "The Great Myths of the Great Depression." Below are the details:

Dinner, Lecture, and Social Hour

DATE: November 2, 2009 – Monday
PLACE: George Mason University - Johnson Center Cinema

5:30 pm – Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
8:00 pm – Social hour at Brion's Grille
ADMISSION: FREE

SPEAKER: Lawrence W. Reed

Lawrence W. Reed is President of The Foundation for Economic Education and president emeritus of The Mackinac Center. He holds a B.A. degree in economics from Grove City College and M.A. degree in history from Slippery Rock State University. He taught economics at Midland's Northwood University from 1977 to 1984 and chaired the Department of Economics from 1982 to 1984. His articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Detroit News, and Detroit Free Press among many others. His most recent book is Striking the Root: Essays on Liberty.

Social Hour:
Come join us at a social hour at Brion's Grille in Fairfax, Virginia, right next to George Mason University - 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 352-7272

Presented by:

GMU Econ Society
www.gmueconsociety.blogspot.com

The Future of Freedom Foundation
www.fff.org fff@fff.org (703) 934-6101

Directions:
George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA.

Visitors should park in the Mason Pond Parking Deck off Mason Pond Dr. The Johnson Center is off of the third level.

Cost is $2 per hour; $8 max per day. All Parking Inquiries: (703) 993-2710.

Questions? Email us!
gmueconsociety@gmail.com

What Drives the Economy? C, I, or G?

2009-10-17T03:26:00.002-04:00

The GMU Economics Society invites you to join a lecture, lunch, and discussion with Dr. Mark Skousen on Friday, October 23rd at 12pm in the JC Meeting Room "A."

"What Drives the Economy: C, I or G?" What will it take to get the economy going again? Is the key renewed consumer spending, government spending, or business hiring workers and investing in new capital? Dr. Mark Skousen, former Columbia University professor, addresses this fundamental debate, and demonstrates the surprisingly evidence that consumption is the effect, not the cause, of prosperity, and the popular idea that consumer spending accounts for 70% of the nation's economy and is a leading economic indicator is largely a myth.

Be sure to join the GMU Economics Society in this lecture & free lunch.

Check out the facebook event for more details:http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1256027046445&f=1&e=-12#/event.php?eid=168420370888&ref=mf

----
Mark Skousen (Ph. D., George Washington University) has a unique background of having worked in four areas of the economy: He has taught in the academic world (Columbia Business School, Barnard College, Mercy College, and Rollins College); worked for the government (the CIA in the early 1970s); run a non-profit organization (FEE, the oldest free-market think tank); and operated several successful businesses (publishing and FreedomFest, his annual show in Las Vegas). Currently he teaches a special course in economics at Sing Sing penitentiary. Since 1980, he has been editor in chief of Forecasts & Strategies, an award-winning investment newsletter, and editor of three trading services. He has been a columnist for Forbes magazine, and has written for the Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and the Journal of Economic Perspectives, and is a frequent contributor to CNBC’s Kudlow & Co. He is the author of 25 books, including The Making of Modern Economics and Investing in One Lesson. He and his family have lived in Washington, DC; Nassau, the Bahamas; London; Orlando; and New York. He has lived in eight countries, traveled and lectured in 71 countries. In honor of his work, Grantham University renamed its B school "The Mark Skousen School of Business," where he holds the Benjamin Franklin Chair of Management.
----

Chad Swarthout vs. Michael Moore

2009-10-15T00:07:00.003-04:00

Chad Swarthout, a student at George Washington University and officer of the GW Liberty Society, gets Michael Moore to admit that Moore's new movie, Capitalism: A Love Story, is about corporatism and not true free market capitalism.

Unfortunately, Michael Moore continues to ramble and shows his blatant ignorance of scarcity in the world. "Everything should be free....."

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1733261710?bclid=43205421001&bctid=43610564001

Who's Paying for Your Healthcare?

2009-10-07T13:23:00.001-04:00

Who's Paying for Your Healthcare? The GMU Economics Society will be hosting three panelist experts intended to answer your questions about the health care debate. The Healthcare Reform Forum will be an open discussion/Q&A with the panelists so be sure to come with your questions prepared.

Date: Wednesday, October 14
Time: 6:00pm
Location: SUB I Lobby

The Panelists: Dr. Thomas Rustici, Dr. Robin Hanson, and Dr. Stephen Davies

Some sample topics that will be addressed:
-Who's going to be paying for your healthcare?
-Will students benefit from a nationalized health care reform?
-Do you want to import Britain's or Canada's healthcare system?
-Do government prevention programs reduce health care costs?
-Is health care a right?
-Do you want a health care system that focuses on people not profits?

The current health reform will have an important effect on you and your future. This an opportunity to help you understand the health care debate and develop a better informed opinion on the topic. Don't let this opportunity slip away; become educated on this current issue!

Dr. Rustici & Dr. Hanson are part of the George Mason Economics Department Faculty. Dr. Davies is a faculty member of the Manchester Metropolitan University in Great Britain.

For the facebook event, click here:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=150519149123&ref=mf

The Great Depression and the Current Recession: Similarities and Differences

2009-09-30T05:51:00.000-04:00

We will be hosting Dr. Robert Higgs to speak at the 2nd installment of the Economic Liberty Lecture Series for the Fall 2009 semester. The topic of the lecture will be "The Great Depression and the Current Recession: Similarities and Differences."

The event will be held in the the JC Cinema (bottom floor of the JC), on Monday, October 5th starting at 5:30pm with a free pizza dinner, followed by the talk with Q&A at 6pm, and then a social hour at Brion's Grille afterward. Brion's Grille is located across the street from George Mason (address: 10621 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030).

Schedule:
5:30 pm - Dinner
6:00 pm - Talk with Q&A
8:00 pm - Social Hour at Brion's Grille
ADMISSION: FREE

Location: George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
Johnson Center Cinema

SPEAKER: Robert Higgs
Robert Higgs is Senior Fellow in Political Economy for The Independent Institute and Editor of The Independent Review. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Johns Hopkins University, and has taught at the University of Washington, Lafayette College, Seattle University, and the University of Economics, Prague. He has been a visiting scholar at Oxford University and Stanford University, and a fellow for the Hoover Institution and the National Science Foundation.

Presented by:
GMU Econ Society
www.gmueconsociety.blogspot.com

The Future of Freedom Foundation
www.fff.org

GMU Economics Student Advising Workshop

2009-09-24T18:40:00.004-04:00

GMU Economics students -- take advantage of these upcoming advising workshops -- whether you need help scheduling classes, figuring out credits, applying for grad school or internships, or any other questions you may...the advising workshops are there to help you!

Freshman/Sophomore Advising Sessions

Wednesday, October 14, 3:00-4:00pm - Research I Rm 163

Thursday, October 15, 3:00-4:00pm - Research I Rm 163

Junior/Senior Advising Sessions

Tuesday, October 20 3:00-4:00 pm - Research I Rm 163

Wednesday, October 21 3:00-4:00 pm - JC 3^rd Floor Mtg Rm E

Come prepared with any questions you may have. There will be a Q&A portion in each session.

Also, as a reminder, the Fall 2009 Economics Department Welcome Reception will be held on Tuesday, October 6th from 3-4:15pm on the third floor of Enterprise Hall. Econ majors and minors are invited to come enjoy refreshments and meet professors and advisers. This is a great way to meet other economics students, as well as a way to get to talk to your professors outside of a classroom environment. There will also be a raffle...you can win some free books (possibly signed by some of your professors)!

Upcoming SFL Conferences & Events

2009-09-16T12:26:00.003-04:00

Students for Liberty (SFL), a nonprofit student-driven organization, provides a multitude of conferences, activities, and programs for students interested in liberty, free markets, and free societies. These programs & conferences are a GREAT opportunity to network with scholars, learn, and meet other students dedicated to the cause of liberty & the free market. Check out some of their upcoming events:

David Boaz at Cato: Freedom In Crisis
Friday, September 18th, 4-5pm
At the Cato Institute: 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington D.C.

The DC Forum For Freedom launches its monthly Cato lecture series for all libertarian students and liberty lovers in the Capital this September with a lecture on Freedom In Crisis by David Boaz, Vice President of the Cato Institute.

The Philadelphia Students For Liberty Regional Conference
Saturday, November 7
At Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA

From 8 am till 11 pm, become acquainted with and hear incredible speeches by top scholars and activists in the liberty movement. Immerse yourself in the philosophy of freedom, meet like-minded students, network with the leaders in the movement, gain new ideas, and become the next generation of leaders who will preserve our essential academic, social, and economic liberties. You will take back with you a bundle of resources in student organizing, academic support, networks for internships and jobs, great memories and even greater friends!

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all covered. After a great day of speeches, discussion sessions and panels on academic issues and student leadership, let loose at our freedom lovers’ social on Saturday night!

Speakers:

Keynote speaker Dr. Alan Charles Kors, nationally distinguished scholar of European history at the University of Pennsylvania and big-time advocate of academic freedom, discusses “Can There Be An “After Socialism?”

Dr. Nigel Ashford, world acclaimed professor of politics and senior program officer at the Institute for Humane Studies, discusses “Changing The World For Liberty.”

Dr. James Lark III, Former chairman of the Libertarian National Committee and current notable professor of engineering at the University of Virginia.

Matthiew Brouillette, President of the Commonwealth Foundation.

Adam Kissel, Director of the defense program at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

Jordan Page, inspirational instrumentalist, classical guitarist and rock artist gaining rapid attention in the liberty movement across the country, performs for us his top hits!

Allison Gibbs, Freedom fighter and founder of the up-and-coming Ladies of Liberty Association

To register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=2L5hpsiclGeeAU7d_2fizUew_3d_3d
For more info, check out the facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228095965373&ref=ts

2010 International Students For Liberty Conference
Friday, February 14-Sunday, February 16
American University, Washington D.C.

The International SFL Conference is the premiere event of the year for students dedicated to liberty and advancing freedom on campus. The largest crowd of pro-liberty students will gather in Washington, DC for a weekend of learning about liberty from contemporary leaders in liberty, discussing best practices for promoting liberty on campus, and getting more involved in the larger movement for liberty.

SFL will have Ed Crane, the Founder & President of the Cato Institute, deliver a Keynote Address to the International SFL Conference from the Cato Institute! Mr. Crane has been an inspirational leader in the cause of liberty. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear him specifically address students. After his Address, conference attendees will be able to meet other Cato staff and scholars at a Cato on Campus reception hosted on the first floor of the Cato Institute. (The conference will help transport students from AU to the Cato Institute.)

Click here to learn more and register: http://politicalconferences.org/2009/07/zow/
Registration is required and space is limited. The registration fee is only $10 if you sign up by October 1st. Don't wait, register now to reserve your spot

Also, check out the event on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228095965373&ref=ts#/event.php?eid=154020216799&ref=ts

Dan Mitchell on Government Spending

2009-09-14T13:27:00.003-04:00

Dan Mitchell from the Cato Institute does a great job explaining the effects of government spending...check out this video!

Upcoming Fall 2009 Events

2009-09-02T19:19:00.004-04:00

Here's a list of upcoming events you may be interested in...

First GMU Economics Society Meeting
Thursday, September 3rd, 6pm
Enterprise 318

Come out to the first GMU Economics Society meeting to learn more about the Econ Society and ways to get involved, help with planning events, and share your ideas for events this year! This is a great way to meet the new officers, other members, and Economics students! Also, at this meeting we will be giving out Cato Institute pocket constitutions.

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Lew Rockwell
Wednesday, September 9th, 5:30pm
Student Union Building (SUB) II, Room 5

We will be having dinner, a lecture on the importance of economic liberty by Lew Rockwell, and a viewing of Sophie Scholl: The Final Days.

5:30 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Movie
ADMISSION: FREE

SPEAKER: Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. is chairman of the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, editor of LewRockwell.com, and author of The Left, the Right, and the State.

MOVIE: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days. “Arrested for participating in the White Rose resistance movement, anti-Nazi activist Sophie Scholl (Julia Jentsch) is subjected to a highly charged interrogation by the Gestapo, testing her loyalty to her cause, her family and her convictions. Based on true events, director Marc Rothemund's absorbing Oscar-nominated drama explores maintaining human resolve in the face of intense pressure from a system determined to silence whistle-blowers.”

Hosted by the GMU Economics Society & The Future of Freedom Foundation (FFF)

David Boaz at Cato: Freedom In Crisis
Friday, September 18th, 4-5pm
At the Cato Institute: 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington D.C.

The DC Forum For Freedom launches its monthly Cato lecture series for all libertarian students and liberty lovers in the Capital this September with a lecture on Freedom In Crisis by David Boaz!

David Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute. A beloved defender of liberty, he has played a huge role in the creation of the libertarian movement. An expert on many subtopics in classical liberalism, he publishes widely and appears as a commentator and editor to promote the view of liberty in most of today's main media outlets!

A reception with snacks and refreshments will follow the speech - a great time to network and make new friends!

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Robert Higgs
Monday, October 5th, 5:30pm
JC Cinema (bottom floor of the Johnson Center)

Along with FFF, the GMU Economics Society will be hosting Robert Higgs, Senior Fellow in Political Economy for The Independent Institute. There will be dinner & a viewing of Good Night, and Good Luck after the lecture.

5:30 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Movie

Speaker: Robert Higgs. Robert Higgs is Senior Fellow in Political Economy for The Independent Institute and Editor of the Institute’s quarterly journal, The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy. Dr. Higgs is the editor of The Independent Institute books, Hazardous to Our Health? FDA Regulation of Health Care Products and Arms, Politics and the Economy: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives, plus the volume, Emergence of the Modern Political Economy. His authored books include The Transformation of the American Economy 1865-1914, Competition and Coercion, and Crisis and Leviathan: Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government. A contributor to numerous scholarly volumes, he is the author of over 100 articles and reviews in academic journals, and in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Society, and The New York Times.

Movie: Good Night, and Good Luck. “George Clooney's Academy Award-nominated docudrama pits veteran television newsman Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) against a determined Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his single-minded crusade to quell the red threat at home. Despite corporate pressure to back off, Murrow and his CBS staff vow to examine the lies and fear tactics perpetrated by McCarthy during his Communist witch-hunts. Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson and Jeff Daniels co-star.”

Fall 2009 Economics Department Welcome Reception
Tuesday, October 6th, 3-4:15pm
Economics Department, Enterprise Hall 354

Econ majors and minors are invited to come enjoy refreshments and meet professors and advisers. This is a great way to meet other economics students, as well as a way to get to talk to your professors outside of a classroom environment. There will also be a raffle...you can win some free books (possibly signed by some of your professors)!

Be sure to join us at our events & our meetings! Meetings will be held every other Thursday at 6pm in Enterprise 318. Hope to see you at these events!

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Lew Rockwell, Wednesday 9/9

2009-08-19T17:32:00.003-04:00

First GMU Econ Society event of the Fall 2009 semester: Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Lew Rockwell

Get started early and come out to the first GMU Economics Society Event of the semester. This will also be the first installment of the Economic Liberty Lecture Series for the 2009-2010 school year.

Dinner, Lecture, and a Movie
5:30 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Movie
ADMISSION: FREE

Location: George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
Student Union Building II, Room 5

SPEAKER: Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.
Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. is chairman of the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, editor of LewRockwell.com, and author of The Left, the Right, and the State.

MOVIE: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
“Arrested for participating in the White Rose resistance movement, anti-Nazi activist Sophie Scholl (Julia Jentsch) is subjected to a highly charged interrogation by the Gestapo, testing her loyalty to her cause, her family and her convictions. Based on true events, director Marc Rothemund's absorbing Oscar-nominated drama explores maintaining human resolve in the face of intense pressure from a system determined to silence whistle-blowers.”

Presented by:
GMU Econ Society
www.gmueconsociety.blogspot.com

The Future of Freedom Foundation
www.fff.org fff@fff.org 703-934-6101

Coming out to events is also a GREAT way to network so join the GMU Econ Society on Wednesday, September 9th to see Lew Rockwell!

Dan Mitchell on Tax Policy

2009-07-20T15:24:00.013-04:00

Check out these highly entertaining videos of class-warfare tax policy, Obama's deferral proposal, the social security tax plan, and corruption in the government. Dan Mitchell, an expert in tax reform from the Cato Institute, discusses the problems with these policies. Also, Dan Mitchell received his Ph.D in Economics from George Mason.

President Obama and other politicians are advocating higher taxes, with a particular emphasis on class-warfare taxes targeting the so-called rich.

President Obama's proposal to severely restrict "deferral" will cause a significant tax increase on American companies trying to earn market share in other nations. For all intents and purposes, the White House plan is protectionism, but the target is American companies rather than their foreign rivals.

In addition to several other tax increases, Barack Obama wants to increase the Social Security payroll tax burden by imposing the tax on income above $250,000. This would be a sharp departure from current law, which only requires that the tax be imposed on the amount of income needed to "pay for" promised benefits. But more important, at least from an economic perspective, the initiative would increase the top tax rate on productive behavior by as much as 12 percentage points - and this would be in addition to his proposal to kill the 2003 tax rate reductions and further boost the top rate by 4.6 percentage points. This mini-documentary explains why a big tax rate increase on highly productive people would be very damaging to America's prosperity, especially in a competitive global economy.

Washington is riddled with corruption, much of which actually is legal. The politicians and other insiders claim that more ethics laws and lobbying rules are the solution. Some even say the only answer is campaign finance laws that restrict 1st Amendment rights to fully participate in the political process.

Enjoy & spread the word!

SFL Conferences: Get the word out!

2009-07-09T13:46:00.003-04:00

The Students For Liberty conferences are a great experience and wonderful opportunity to network, advance your understandings, and meet other liberty-orientated students. Check out this message from SFL on their upcoming conferences:

At Students For Liberty we are excited to announce that we will be hosting seven Regional Conferences this year. Building on the success of our famous International Conference and last year's Regional Conferences, we are taking the liberty message on the road to campuses across the country. These conferences, co-sponsored by the Don Smith Family Foundation, will allow us to reach new minds and swell the ranks of the student movement for liberty.

Each Regional Conference will feature expert speakers, three meals, and an evening social event. Last year's keynote speakers included Foundation for Economic Education President Lawrence W. Reed, Harvard University Professor Jeffrey Miron, and Cato Institute Senior Fellow Tom Palmer. This is not an opportunity you or your friends should miss!

To promote and organize these conferences we have launched a new website: www.politicalconferences.org. This site will act as your center of information for all news and updates related to the Regional Conferences. The site also features this video, which will give you a better idea of what the conferences are about and can help you advertise to other students. Click the link below if the video does not display correctly in your email.

SFL Fall 2009 Conferences Promo from Students For Liberty on Vimeo.

Here is a full list of the upcoming Regional Conferences:

Midwestern Conference - October 10 - University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Southern Conference - October 24 - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Western Conference - October 24 - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Texas Conference - October 24 - University of Texas, Austin, TX
Northeastern Conference - November 7 - Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Mid-Atlantic Conference - November 7 - Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Ivy League Alliance For Liberty Conference - January 2010 - Columbia University, New York, NY

Registration forms for the conferences will be available shortly. Until then, we need your help to spread the word about these conferences. Hear is a list of ways that you can help:

Forward this email to your friends and group members.
Click here to RSVP for the events on Facebook.
Post links to the website and video on your favorite liberty blogs, message boards, and Facebook pages.
If you want to get involved in helping plan a conference, contact your Regional Director. Their contact information is listed on the page of their respective conference.

Again, we cannot make the Regional Conferences a success without your help. If you have any questions please visit the new website www.politicalconferences.org or email info@studentsforliberty.org.

Help name a building after Gordon Tullock!

2009-06-22T17:46:00.002-04:00

Hey all,

We need your help! We have an opportunity to help rename the Truland Building on the GMU Arlington campus after Professor-emeritus and economist, Gordon Tullock.

You can read more about the effort/sign your name in favor of it at the following page:

http://www.freeliberal.com/blog/archives/003832.php

Thanks & spread the word!

Summer of Games 2009

2009-05-22T17:30:00.002-04:00

A message from Bryan Caplan...

Summer of Games 2009! Our creed:
-------------------------------------

WHEREAS there is more to life than work...

WHEREAS live gaming is far more fun than videogaming...

WHEREAS the transactions cost of organizing individual gaming sessions is
high...

I once again declare the following 3 months to be the Summer of Games!

My proposal: Each Thursday at 12:30 PM during the summer (with a couple
exceptions to accomodate conflicting activities), gamers discretely
descend upon Carow Hall, playing until 4 or 5 or possibly 6. The game
can then be selected to suit the number of players.

In the past, we've played Diplomacy, Settlers of Cataan, Puerto Rico,
Iron Dragon, Kremlin, Serenissima, Condottieri, El Grande, and much more.
I'm also willing to GM RPGs if I get an advance commitment from 3 or more people.

*A Few Rules*

The following seemed to work well in previous years:

1. All players eat lunch BEFORE they arrive, to minimize food-related
disruptions.

2. Players should be careful not to disrupt actual work at Carow Hall
with excessive noise, etc. That way we can keep playing in this
convenient location. Normally we should have the conference room all to
ourselves.

Join the fun!

Anarchy : The Economics of Self-Governance a lecture by Edward Stringham

2009-04-20T14:52:00.002-04:00

Is the private provision of defense possible? Can law be supplied by the market? Is anarchy an alternative to the state?

If any of these questions interest you, please come join the GMU Econ Society to hear Prof. Ed Stringham's talk on the economics of self-governance. The lecture will be on Thursday April 30th at 3pm in the Johnson Center Meeting Room 239A, with refreshments provided afterward.

On the lecturer:
Edward Stringham is an associate professor of economics at Trinity College, President of the Association of Private Enterprise Education, Editor of the Journal of Private Enterprise, editor of two books, and author of two dozen articles in refereed journals including the Journal of Institutional & Theoretical Economics, Quarterly Review of Economics & Finance, and Journal of Labor Research.

Stringham has been discussed on more than 100 broadcast stations including CBS, CNBC, CNN, Fox, Headline News, NPR, and MTV and in hundreds of newspapers worldwide including 14 of the 20 highest circulating newspapers in the United States and the highest circulating English language newspaper in the world. His work has been the subject of discussion by Entertainment Tonight's Leeza Gibbons and inspired a cartoon by New York Times Syndicated Political Cartoonist Jeff Danziger.

Stringham earned his Ph.D. from George Mason University in 2002, and has won the Templeton Culture of Enteprise Best Article Award, Paper of the Year Award from the Association of Private Enterprise, Best Article Award from the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, Second Place in the Independent Institute Garvey Contest, and Distinguished Young Scholar Award from the Liberalni Institut and the Prague School of Economics.

To See Dr. Stringham on CNBC "No Booze, You May Lose":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDBwom174TA

To Buy Dr. Stringham's book "Anarchy and the Law" The Political Economy of Choice":
http://www.amazon.com/Anarchy-Law-Political-Economy-Independent/dp/1412805791/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s

Caplan Vs. Hanson Debate

2009-04-07T23:37:00.002-04:00

Come see the event of the year: Bryan Caplan and Robin Hanson will debate on Liberty vs. Efficiency, Tuesday April 14th. The debate will take place in Enterprise Hall Room 80 at 530pm. The event is open to the public so please come and bring as many guests as you'd like!

Liberty:
Arguing on behalf of liberty is Bryan Caplan, Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason University. Professor Caplan received a BA in Economics from U.C. Berkley and a Phd in Economics from Princeton University. Professor Caplan is author of the bestseller book "The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies" and has papers published in the Economic Journal, the Journal of Law and Economics, Social Science Quarterly, the Journal of Public Economics, the Southern Economic Journal, Public Choice, and numerous other outlets. Dr. Caplan's areas of specialty include are Public Choice, Public Finance, and Monetary Economics. Caplan's blog "EconLog" with Arnold Kling and David Henderson can be found at http://econlog.econlib.org/.

Efficiency:
Arguing in favor of efficiency is Robin Hanson, Professor of Economics at George Mason University. Professor Hanson received a BS in Physics from UC Irvine, MS and MA in Physics and Philosophy of Science at University of Chicago, and his Phd in Economics at the California Institute of Technology. Professor Hanson has had many scholarly papers published in peer reviewed journals such as Public Choice, the Journal of Law, Economics, and Policy, and Economica. Professor Hanson's research recently has surrounded prediction markets and possibly exciting applications for them. Hanson's blog "Overcoming Bias" can be found here http://www.overcomingbias.com .

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Bruce Fein Monday 4/6

2009-03-29T20:58:00.004-04:00

Economic Liberty Lecture Series: Bruce Fein

The GMU Econ Society is very fortunate to have legal expert Bruce Fein come speak at the 4th installment in the Economic Liberty Lecture Series hosted by the Future of Freedom Foundation and the GMU Econ Society. The event will be held in the Johnson Center Cinema on Monday April 6 at starting at 530pm with a free pizza dinner, the talk with Q&A, and then a showing of the movie Equilibrium. Here is more info on the event:

Schedule- Monday 4/6/09
5:30 pm – Pizza
6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A
7:30 pm – Movie

SPEAKER: Bruce Fein
Bruce Fein commands impressive experience and influence in the corridors of both national and international power. He graduated from Harvard Law School with honors in 1972.
After a coveted federal judicial clerkship, he joined the U.S. Department of Justice where he served as assistant director of the Office of Legal Policy, legal adviser to the assistant attorney general for antitrust, and the associate deputy attorney general. Mr. Fein then was appointed general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission, followed by an appointment as research director for the Joint Congressional Committee on Covert Arms Sales to Iran.
He recently served on the American Bar Association's Task Force on Presidential signing statements.

MOVIE: Equilibrium
“In a futuristic world, a strict regime has eliminated war by
suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly
forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) is a top ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist the rules. When he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce the strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the only person
capable of overthrowing it.”

Presented by:
GMU Econ Society
www.gmueconsociety.blogspot.com

The Future of Freedom Foundation
www.fff.org fff@fff.org 703-934-6101

For highly recommended videos of Bruce Fein at the FFF's Restoring the Republic 2008 Conference click here.

To watch the trailer for Equilibrium click here.

Russel Roberts @ CATO

2008-11-24T22:12:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone:

Professor Russell Roberts will be giving a talk about his new book "The Price of Everything", Monday December 1st at noon. This is the Monday right after Thanksgiving break. If you are going, make sure you sign up here. It's a free event.

Why I Don't Vote (in national elections)

2008-10-28T21:32:00.003-04:00

Given all the attention around campus about voting recently, I decided to weigh in on the election and write to the editor of GMU's newspaper the Broadside. Here is what was published:

Who are you voting for? I hear this question nearly every day as the national election approaches. Often people look to me for advice on this issue because I am the president of George Mason University’s Economics Society, expecting a reasoned response why one candidate is better than another on economic issues.

What answer do I give? I simply respond: “I don’t vote.”

CLICK READ MORE for the rest of the post.

Am I apathetic about economic, international, or other policy? No; in fact I hold very strong opinions about public policy. What I am apathetic about is the impact of my vote.

The reason I feel this way is mainly because of the public choice school of economics. This school of thought was founded by two of Mason’s greatest scholars, Gordon Tullock and Nobel laureate James Buchanan, who revolutionized the way the world looks at politics. Public Choice says that if we assume people act relatively self-interested in their personal lives we should assume they will act self-interested in their public lives. Just as regular citizens act to increase their benefits, politicians act to increase their own gains.

In a democratic election process, the winner must win at least 51 percent of the vote. To get the 51 percent, the candidate must not only sway the fringe party members but they must seek to satisfy the preferences of the moderates. It is more likely to get your own hardcore party members to vote for you, but much harder to get the moderates and independents. It is no surprise then that politicians aim to formulate policies based upon the wants of these moderate, or median, voters.

Since both presidential candidates are fighting over the same wants of the median voter, one would expect to see very similar policies from each. This tends to be the case throughout history—President George W. Bush’s policies were more leftist than his critics would let on and former President Bill Clinton was much more conservative than pundits would admit.

The takeaway is that whether Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., or Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. wins, the policies they are offering must be very similar if they are rational and want the most votes. You may still not be convinced though, saying perhaps the slight changes in implementation or experience matter as to voting for one or the other. Public choice economics has an excellent response to this argument: the Returns to Voting Model.

Most people recognize that the probability of their vote mattering in a national election, even with the Electoral College system, is infinitesimally small. You have a higher probability of dying in a car crash on the way to vote than you have of your vote individually deciding the election. The benefit to you of voting then is a small number multiplied by a very tiny number. Add on the cost of voting—missing school, work, or reading a book—and most likely you have a negative return from voting.

Despite these statistical truths, many millions of Americans will still go out and vote on Nov. 4. These voters are not irrational; they get their pleasure out of participating in the democratic process that has been passed down from our founding fathers. Voting “for fun” in this way is in fact very rational. Voting for change in policy is not. If you want to make the world better off, you’ll do much better by volunteering, educating others, or just yourself, on important issues. But if you are still planning on voting next Tuesday, by all means, enjoy yourself.

Sincerely,

Kevin R. Hilferty

President, GMU Economics Society

Wall Street Bail-out and Economic Development

2008-10-03T15:49:00.004-04:00

With the recent financial crisis in the United States, most of the debate we hear currently entails whether or not the government should be involved in some sort of bail-out. While this would be a major intervention, William Easterly, in a today's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, says that the U.S. will still remain largely capitalistic and the domestic effect is not the largest worry. To Dr. Easterly, the issue at hand is what message this policy choice sends to developing countries' governments. While we may be choosing between some or more intervention, he contends that developing nations are choosing between free markets and government planning for economic growth.

For better or worse, our actions and beliefs today will affect the policies for many years to come of these countries. The point Easterly makes is an important one, and echos that of F.A. Hayek in "The Intellectuals and Socialism". Whether you agree or disagree with government intervention, it is difficult to ignore the importance of the role our policy decisions play in steering developing governments' future actions.

If any of you feel inspired by this issue or any development issues, there will be an opportunity for you to share your ideas to other students and non-profit organizations in an upcoming conference at Mason. A private consulting firm Midego Inc. from Fairfax, Virginia will be co-hosting the conference with the student group Global Health Students Beyond Borders in February. Here is more info:

"The conference is entitled "Breaking with Business As Usual" and the purpose of the conference is to bring together students and professionals from all disciplines to discuss and develop strategies to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

If you are not familiar with the MDGs, they are a set of 8 health, welfare and environmental sustainability goals set by the United Nations in the year 2000 and are aimed at improving the lives of the world's poorest by improving issues related to education, poverty, public health and environmental degradation. Most of the worlds' governments have pledged to supporting these goals, but are falling short in delivering on that promise. In order to move towards them innovative strategies must be developed.

We are calling for student poster or oral presentations - abstracts are due November 30th - see the attached guidlines. This is a 250 word abstract for either a poster or 10-minute presentation. Your ideas do not have to be tested and proven, we're looking for new, innovative strategies. Take a look at the list of the MDG and their targets and I think you'll see a lot that economic students would be interested in. Ideas I can think of off hand are providing micro-loans for small businesses, balancing economic growth with environmental conservation,and dealing with debt problems in developing nations. "

I know that many of you could offer new thinking on these topics, and I plan to propose a talk for the conference as well. If any of you have any questions about this conference or wish to get the application, you can email the Econ Society at gmueconsociety@gmail.com or email Midego Inc at sara@midego.com .

Upcoming Fall Events

2008-09-25T14:05:00.003-04:00

Here is a list of the events coming up soon in the GMU Econ Dept. and put on by the GMU Econ Society:

Fall 2008 Economics Welcome Reception
Tuesday Sept. 30th
3-4pm in Enterprise Hall 354.

Econ majors and minors are invited to come enjoy refreshments and meet professors and advisers. This is a great way to meet other students who share the same interests, as well as a way to get to talk to your professors outside of a classroom environment.

Economic Liberty Lecture Series
Monday October 6th
5:30-10pm in the JC Cinema

Put on by the Future of Freedom Foundation and the GMU Econ Society, we will be having dinner, a lecture on the importance of economic liberty by Prof. Peter J. Boettke, and a viewing of V for Vendetta.

The Schedule is as follows:

5:30 pm – Dinner

6:00 pm – Talk with Q&A

7:30 pm – Movie

The event is open to all and admission is free, so please come attend for an enjoyable evening. If you have any questions about this event please email us at gmueconsociety@gmail.com or the FFF at fff@fff.org

Also as a reminder, we have meetings every other Wednesday evening in Enterprise 318 at 6pm. Our next meeting is October 1st. Hope to see you there.

New GMU T-shirt Website and Other News

2008-06-26T21:21:00.006-04:00

For the first time ever, the GMU Econ Society is proud to present our own apparel for our members and supporters! Our new store is currently at Cafepress .com and can be found here. We only have two designs up as a test now, but we will be surely offering more in the future with different Econ humor etc. Stay posted for more details in the future! Also, be sure to note that the 2008 Public Choice Outreach has been rescheduled to Oct. 9-11. In case you might be wondering what the program is all about, here is what the Center for Public Choice has to say :

The Public Choice Outreach Conference is a program specifically designed for young scholars who are planning professional careers in academia, law, or public policy. The Conference is taught by distinguished faculty, and provides an introduction to public choice. The Conference offers a unique opportunity for graduate and advanced undergraduate students to learn from, and socialize with, some of the most important public choice scholars in the world.

The program is held at Mason, and I strongly encourage all of our members interested to apply. The deadline is August 4 to apply and requires a letter of recommendation from a professor, so getting it done soon would be best. You can find out more info on the Public Choice Outreach as well as find the application here.

Hope you are all having a good summer and look forward to seeing you soon.

2008-06-25T17:31:00.001-04:00

Did you know?
Drew Carey knows economics. Watch him make fun of politicians and media pundits in this funny video:

Mason Econ now ranks 41 OVERALL among programs in the U.S.

2008-06-09T19:59:00.002-04:00

According to a new study by Southern Economic Journal, Mason ranks 41 among Econ programs in the U.S. This was reported by Pete Boettke on his blog "Austrian Economists". Other noteworthy rankings include:
- 3rd in Methodology and History of Economic Thought
- 9th in General Economics and Teaching
- 11th in Law and Economics
- 25th in Microeconomics
- 25th in Public Economics.

In my opinion: Mason's Econ education is a lot better than what the rankings suggest. Many times I have talked to students in other more 'mainstream' programs and it seems that their econ classes are more math oriented than discussion based. Professors at GMU are very approachable. More importantly, I am having a blast as a student here. I wonder if the authors of this study asked any students in the listed schools how happy and satisfied they are with the education they are receiving. Papers are good and all, but if professors can't transmit that knowledge and passion to the students they teach, then what's the point? I've never had that problem with professors at GMU. Every single one of them has been very enthusiastic about teaching and transmitting their ideas.
Also: As Professor Boudreaux points out in his letter to the rest of Mason's faculty,"this study gives NO credit to published books (or blogs, of course). Because we are an especially "book-and-blog friendly" department, I'm confident that, if anything, our true ranking is even higher than is revealed by this study".

GO MASON!!

Each day that passes gets me more and more excited that I will have a degree that says "Masonomics"!

Man vs. Wild and the Division of Labor

2008-05-21T20:48:00.006-04:00

The sun is scorching the Namibian desert, and a silhouette of a man appears along the red rock face. Cameras pan across towards the figure and suddenly a Puff Adder snake slithers from underneath a rock close to the man. The Puff Adder is one of the most dangerous snakes in all of Africa due to its immense size and the poisonous venom it secretes in its fangs. The man quickly grabs a hefty rock and throws it at the head of the snake ending its life. Almost unbelievably the hero grabs the head of the snake and saws it off with his knife and then takes a bite out of the body of the snake. Is this a scene from a movie? Is this man Indiana Jones? No.

Click on READ MORE for the extended post.

This is a scene from the Discovery Channel series Man vs. Wild, and our rugged hero is Bear Grylls, an ex-special forces officer from Britain. Is the above scene out of the ordinary? Nope, the show gets much more intense ( Bear drinks water from elephant dung, fishes with maggots in the Alps, and eats raw Zebra meat from a carcass in Africa). The premise of the show is that the survival expert must be dropped into a hostile environment and survive for up to 5 days without any given shelter, food, or water. Each episode finds Bear Grylls finding unique (and often sketchy) water and food sources, and creating his own shelter using his vast knowledge about survival tactics and indigenous plant life. Whether it be desert, plains, tundra, jungle, or even a deserted island, Grylls finds a way to squeak by in life.

By now you're probably wondering, what does this have to do with economics. Those of you that know me well know that I often exclaim "That's Capitalism!" when I see amazing things like Porsche Carreras or have great opportunities. After seeing the recent episode I immediately thought to myself, "Hmm isn't capitalism great to let me sit lazily watching this crazy man survive in high definition on my plasma flat-screen!". Furthermore, capitalism is allowing this crazy man to provide me utility by watching him surviving in the wilderness, and presumably he is very well-paid for doing things many people would never want to do. As our new VP Liya would say, this is "non-unique". True enough, this really is a bland point. And then it hit me, the real amazing part is not that capitalism gives the opportunity for Bear Grylls to know how to survive but the really amazing thing is that most of us don't NEED to know how to survive like Bear Grylls to continue living.

We can chalk this fact up to the division of labor. Instead of two people both trying to do everything for themselves individually, one provides food, the other provides shelter. Through their specialization and free trade they both gain free time, or at least more of the goods they exchange. Adam Smith wrote about this in The Wealth of Nations. It is this division of labor that lifted humanity out of nomadic tribes, and the extent of this division of labor is what makes up most of the difference between richer and poorer nations. The concept is fairly simple, maybe even too simple, and we've often heard it before in economics, anthropology, and even history classes. I guess that too often we overlook the power of this concept because it is so simple.

I don't want to understate the immense awesomeness of the division of labor. For hundreds of thousands of years humanity barely made survival in day-to-day life. Today we can devote less than a few minutes to thinking where to get our food and water from, and most of us can relax for at least half of our day without needing to do much. This seems obvious and normal to us, but watching Man vs. Wild for an hour can really show the work involved with surviving in the natural world all by oneself. How much time do you spend each day finding a clean water source or catching game to eat for dinner? The division of labor saves us from all of the hardship involved with that sort of lifestyle. Anything that allows for more division of labor (ie. new technology allowing workers to be freed up for other processes) creates more wealth, more choices, and a greater betterment for mankind. What a beautiful set-up that allows us to avoid being forced to spend all of our time barely surviving and lets us live in relative luxury. It is only in the capitalist system of free-markets that provides full room for the division of labor to grow to the fullest extent.

The message to take from all of this is that it can be easy to forget the simple but important lessons of economics that shape our everyday lives. Think how ridiculous it is when someone argues against dividing labor further, as the division of labor always grows wealth. Next time someone says that a new un-manned machine process will cut jobs or will take away from the human element of a job, just remind them that we could possibly have full employment if we stopped all cooperation. Without the division of labor we could all be fully employed in providing for our own survival without cooperation. Fortunately most would not chose such a scenario, as anyone who has seen Man vs. Wild would tell you that it is not the most pleasant way of living. At least it makes good television to watch while enjoying the free time that the division of labor allows!

Fall Schedule and Opening Address

2008-05-21T18:44:00.003-04:00

Hello GMU Econ Society members and readers of our blog,

I know many of you have been waiting for our Fall 2008 schedule of events, and I'd like to throw out a tentative set of events that the other officers and I have been coming up with.

First and foremost, there will be a beginning of the semester Econ Social, in which we will try to get new Econ majors, minors, and anyone interested to get together with those involved in the Econ department. This has been a yearly tradition and each year it only gets better. I'm sure it will be a great networking opportunity as well as a chance to say 'Hello' to some of your professors outside of class. Tentatively, we would like to have the event on a Wednesday afternoon in September at 4:30pm.

The rest of our schedule is much more foggy, but don't worry we are coming up with some great ideas that I'd like to share with you all. There will definitely be some new book events, as professors are having books published this fall. Currently we are working on getting a professor to speak at such an event (Hint Hint he writes for Cafe Hayek), but we can't say much more due to unknowns. On a much more ambitious (although no more unrealistic), we plan to have the first annual Freedom Week at Mason (which much credit goes to Ian Dunois for coming up with the idea).

Freedom Week will be in late October hopefully, and will have week long events spotlighting topics on liberty. Remember that this will be right before the Presidential Election, so we have the opportunity to do fun things like giving out those political map quizzes. Hopefully we will be able to get a few GMU professors to speak on liberty, and perhaps we can have an outdoor tent set up with support from IHS, Mercatus, FEE, Cato, the Libertarian Party, or even the Mises Institute. Personally, I would like to add a Economics related pumpkin carving contest with prizes (maybe someone can do a supply and demand curve one or Hayek's profile.)

This is all we can say for now, as we are still hashing out the details. Besides events there are some things that I would like to accomplish soon that I feel like sharing with the Econ Society. The first is that I would like to rework or update the graphics of the website and maybe this blog. This is depending on the availability and work of Michael Ostrowski, our Treasurer, whose skills with anything visual computer related are amazing. Another thing I would like to do is increase the membership and spread the word about the GMU Econ Society. I went nearly 3 years at Mason loving economics but missing out because I didn't know the Econ Society existed. I have talked to Michael about going to some of the orientation weeks to talk about the GMU Econ Society and Economics at Mason in general. In the first few weeks of school I would also like to print fliers and have them given out to students in all of the Economics classes, as well as questionnaires to classes to ask the Econ major students what kind of speakers and events they would like to have. I feel getting feedback is the most important thing here, because that's what the Society exists for, for serving the wants of the Mason Econ students.

The last thing I would like to end on is to ask you all, what do you want for the GMU Econ Society this upcoming year? Any ideas for events, speakers, anything?

I hope that I answered some of your questions that you may have had, but if you have anymore questions. please feel free to either leave a comment or email me at gmueconsociety@gmail.com. I hope to serve you all well as President, so if there is anything I can do for you please ask. I look forward to hearing from you all.

-Kevin R. Hilferty

A perfect World?

2008-05-20T15:29:00.002-04:00

Would you want to live like this?

What Marginal Revolution can do for you...

2008-05-19T11:45:00.003-04:00

On Sunday, Tyler Cowen from the Marginal Revolution blog had linked to the Econ Society blog. That was it; there was no small description of the blog for any reason to why you should click the link. In the comments, you do not find anything referring to Econ Society giving the view that perhaps most were interested in the other links. Then we looked at the web trends.
From an average of 20 visits and 30 page views per day we sparked by one link from Marginal Revolution to almost 615 visits and 800 page views! Some spillovers are still occurring today. Thanks Tyler and Marginal Revolution.

“Who Cares About Anarchy When You Can Have Limited Government?”

2008-05-15T18:36:00.004-04:00

From the FREE FOR ALL blog courtesy of Center for Liberty and Community:

A Sunday Night Social Debate * May 18, 2008 * 4:00-5:30pm at the Galaxy Hut

Presented by the Center for Liberty and Community
CLICK READ MORE for the bios of debaters and event info

Jan Helfeld will argue in favor of limited government as the optimal system for achieving human happiness. Helfeld is a lawyer and businessman turned TV producer. In the last few years he has traveled the world as a lecturer and debater at numerous universities. He has produced documentaries such as “To Invade or Not Invade” about the Iraq War and other philosophical explorations such as “The Proper Function of Government”, “The Socratic Interviewing Technique”, and “The Media Against Business.” He also has hosted/produced several TV shows in Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. See a video clip of Jan’s interview with Senator Harry Reid at: http://www.freeliberal.com/blog/archives/003277.php

And in favor of anarchy…

Michael Owen is a certified gun-toting, swing-dancing anarcho-capitalist. He received his Ph.D. in 2003 from North Carolina State University in theoretical astrophysics. He is currently employed as a computational fluid dynamics engineering consultant for a small firm in Maryland. He is the husband of Congressman Ron Paul's Communications Director, Rachel Mills.

The debate will be moderated by Kevin Rollins, publisher of the The Free Liberal, the Center for Liberty and Community’s web magazine.

This debate is free and open to the public. RSVPs (to publisher[at]freeliberal.com) are appreciated but not required. Following the debate we will commence our usual social hour.

Galaxy Hut is located on Wilson Blvd between Danville and Edgewood Sts in Arlington, Virginia (Directly across from the Whole Foods Supermarket and a few blocks from the Clarendon Metro Stop on the Orange Line. http://www.galaxyhut.com * 2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201.

BIRTH OF FREEDOM premier in D.C.

2008-05-08T23:03:00.004-04:00

The Acton Institute, the brilliant institute that brought us the CALL OF THE ENTREPRENEUR, are premiering their new film THE BIRTH OF FREEDOM in Washington D.C. on Thursday June 19 at 7 p.m.
It will be located at National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
1776 D Street NW btw 17th and 18th, C and D Streets NW.

7 p.m. - Displaying the movie
8 p.m. - Question and Answer session with an experts panel
8:30 p.m. - Reception with hors d'oevres and a cash bar

The tickets are complimentary.

Philosophy and Economics at Mason?

2008-05-06T21:01:00.004-04:00

We have a new Philosophy professor in the Philosophy department at Mason. What's the big deal? He has a masters in Economics and a bachelors in Physics.
Welcome to Derek Boyd to Mason.
The new class, Phil 357: Philosophy of Social Sciences, will discuss the foundations of Economics. For all those interested, it may be a great elective.

ELECTIONS: Winner's announced

2008-04-30T20:15:00.003-04:00

The votes have been counted and the winners are:

Kevin H. as President
Liya P. as Vice President
Mike O. as Treasurer
Meg P. as Secretary

Congratulations!
Now to plan for the upcoming year.

Tax Freedom Day

2008-04-23T18:17:00.003-04:00

Today we celebrate Tax Freedom Day. This is the last day of the year we work to pay off all the taxes that are taken from us by the government. Thanks to The Tax Foundation for the info...
and to celebrate our freedom, they even made a song.

I had thought about it and thought today wouldn't be complete without a little tune from the Beatles:

FEE @ Mason

2008-04-21T23:24:00.002-04:00

The FEE event at Mason turned out to be a great experience as many of us learned about various ideas including economic growth, international policies such as foreign assistance and security guarantees, anarchy, and a special lecture by Bryan Caplan about why people should have more children. One of my personal favorite speeches was by Geoffrey Lea who talked about the fundamentals of anarchism while questioning our individual beliefs. It was interesting how Geoffrey incorporated everyone into his speech – he questioned and listened to our ideas to build a path to explain anarchism and how it relates to our beliefs of liberty and freedom. I, personally, was inspired by this speech to learn more concepts of anarchy and privatization and to question my own beliefs of government in our modern society. Another great aspect of the FEE seminar was meeting different people from both Mason and other colleges as we were able to engage and converse about the various speeches, speakers, and ideas. It was great just hanging out with many of the Econ and non-Econ students at this social & academic event and learning from each others ideas. All in all, the FEE event included many different areas of economics, politics, and philosophy, and I believe many attendees were able to relate and understand the different concepts and ideas presented.

FEE@MASON: Caplan on Children

2008-04-21T21:40:00.003-04:00

Many of those who had registered for attendance had missed out on some interesting lectures. I was one of those who missed out on Friday's lecture by Brian Caplan on "Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids". Fortunately, Professor Caplan has posted them under Fun Lectures on his website.
ENJOY!!!

ELECTIONS!

2008-04-21T03:48:00.004-04:00

It is election time again! So, if you don't want to be an irrational voter with a crazy bias, please go through our candidates bios and plans for the Society in the upcoming year.

To run for candidacy you must have attended 3+ events or meetings in the past year. To vote, please show up on Wednesday April 30th in Enterprise 318 at 6pm. (If you cannot attend, but you are an active member and want to cast a vote, you can e-mail us and we can arrange it).

This is also a time for fresh ideas and suggestions/commentaries. Remember you do not need to be an officer to get involved!

Running for the Executive Board:
Kevin Burke
Kevin Hilferty
Michael Jenkins
Liya Palagashvili
Meg Patrick
Daniel Rivera

Click on READ MORE to go over the jump and view the bios of some of those running for office.

Kevin Hilferty:
My name is Kevin Hilferty, and I would like to run for President of the George Mason Economics Society for the 2008-2009 term. I believe I am a strong candidate for this position because of my love for Economics and leadership I acquired in helping plan the last events of this semester with President Astrid Arca. Since I was a junior in H.S. taking Intro Economics to AP Economics my senior year, and now pursuing a BA here at Mason my love for this subject has only grown. I feel extremely lucky to be able to study in a program that features two Nobel prizes and many of the world's top free-market thinkers. My goal if I become President is to continue to make the students in the Economics program aware of the many opportunities available to them at this great university. With so many great professors to learn from, ground-breaking research to be involved in, and a wide community of like-minded students, I believe that every student at George Mason should know what Mason really has to offer. Through increased programs, events, and marketing we can better disperse this knowledge to the Mason student. I have already begun preliminary planning of many events including the fall welcome social, debates, book events, and a new event specifically for freshman students that would introduce them to Masonomics. I have been studying the guidelines for budgets, spending, and requirements of Student Organizations and I am prepared for the bureaucratic challenges that we will face. I have recently gone over the past records of the GMU Economics Society and have had mentoring from past President Jaime Artieda and current President Astrid Arca Leigh. With my experience and motivation I hope to hit the ground running and I promise to do my best for the Econ Society.

Michael Jenkins:
I have held a fair amount of leadership positions over time, including

PR chairman of TKE
MQB board of TKE (this is a tribunal, I hear cases and recommend punishments/actions)
Member of Philanthropy committee TKE

In addition, I also have held management positions
Manager at Noodles and Company on Main Street
I have a very sincere interest in economics and spreading the views of economists and righting misconceptions about economics is something I believe to be very important. The economics society can not only serve to create connections and hold economic events, it can also spread basic principles of economics to the student body at large. Educating the student body on basic economics in fields like welfare, minimum wage, labor unions, regulation/price control, and the U.S. economy in general will help them to make smart decisions in the future. If given office, I fully intend to create a larger, more involved Economics society that can benefit both its members and the entire student body.

Liya Palagashvili:
My name is Liya, and I would like to run for Vice-President of the George Mason University Economics Society for the 2008-2009 school year. I believe I would be a dynamic candidate for this position because of my great interest for Economics, my experience both as a leader and a member of the Economics Society, and my commitment to the society. My interest in Economics first developed when I took a Political Economics and AP Economics class in high school where I learned the fundamentals of Economics and became passionate about it. Because of my interest for Economics, I decided to attend GMU, and I am currently pursing a Bachelor of the Science degree in Economics with a minor in Statistics.
As a member of the Economics Society, I have worked with President Astrid Arca, past President Jaime Artieda, running-President Kevin Hilferty and Student Liaison Ian Dunois. I have helped plan recent events with the Econ Society such as the FEE seminar at Mason and Daniel J. D'Amico's lecture on the Political Economy of Prisons which is coming up this Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Enterprise 80. Also, I have already worked on creating plans for the fall semester events with Kevin Hilferty. Furthermore, I have shown great commitment to the Econ Society by showing up to many of the events and meetings, and I will further commit myself to the Econ society as my education at Mason continues. My vision for the Econ Society is to promote the study of Economics and Liberty to the George Mason community. Whether students are Econ majors, minors, or just have an interest in Economics, I would like them all to know the great opportunities available to them at GMU. There are many Economics major who have never even heard of the Economics Society, and one of my goals is to make the Economics Society known to not only Econ majors, but also the other majors as well.

Russian Video Conference- An Attack on Consumerism

2008-04-07T11:05:00.004-04:00

This morning at 9 a.m. I found myself in a video conference in Research I on the Fairfax campus of GMU with a room full of sociologists studying globalization and a room full of students from Moscow who said they studied global economy. The topic for the discussion was consumerism. Peter Stearns, a provost at Mason, had started the session by giving a brief introduction to what he believes is consumerism and to how he believes it should be viewed and addressed.
The event turned to be a lashing out against what they have taken to be Consumerism. For More Click the Read More above to make the jump.

Peter Stearns had roughly described consumerism as a deep interest of groups in acquiring goods they do not need. The purchase of goods that are not needed for survival.
Historically, Stearns stated, consumerism can be explained, but viewing that many societies were extremely hostile towards it the subject must be studied to comprehend why societies would want such a world. He had correctly turned to the 17th and 18th centuries with the Industrial Revolution and the beginning of the first globalization(trade with the colonies) as the source of the increase wealth which he saw as the reason why individuals began to buy the goods not essential to survive. To Stearns, consumerism grew because individuals wished to have things to identify themselves much like a wealthy person today purchasing a large mansion or designer clothes. He does not view this purchasing of material as a blessing but rather as an absurdity. Stearns had clearly defined his distaste towards the large debts most American citizens acquire in order to purchase these consumer goods. My response is simply, isn't it a good thing? We are receiving goods without even having to pay for them immediately. We are getting the upperhand within this deal. See CafeHayek for their so many blogs on this topic such as this recent one titled, "I [Heart] America's Trade Deficit"

I want to define here that consumer goods is never clearly defined. By defining consumer goods, as those goods which are not needed to survive, who is to say what is needed since what is needed for me is not needed for others. Bread has been the main food source for most of man's history. It was not until recently that man was able to have more choice in his food supply. In Mises' The Free Market and Its Enemies, Mises points out that Queen Anne of England had seventeen children; none made it to adulthood, yet with the Industrial Revolution, with the age of consumerism living standards improved allowing for the mortality rate to improve. Mises says, "from the point of view of the parents the improved life expectancy of their children may not have seemed merely materialistic(consumeristic)." In fact, Mises points towards consumerism as a gift. Before the Industrial Revolution, common man had bought his clothing through second hand stores. Clothing was handmade and a skillful task and therefore was only a good for the wealthy. The global trade with the colonies brought in cotton, a common man's good, which with the growth of industry began to be produced into clothing by mass production. Common man had improved his life by simply specializing and trading. Coffee, tea, sugar to our dear Provost are considered consumer goods, but to the common man in the 18th century this was a good that enabled him to feel as rich as a King. Today, common man can purchase an ice cream cone any day of the week. This is something that not even Kings could have enjoyed any day in the past.
Oh, Dear Provost Stearns... to claim that consumerism is what brings fault to many attacks upon the Jewish people. Throughout most of history, Christians and Muslims had believed charging interest to be a sinful act. They did not understand the necessity of the interest rate (a forward looking process), and as the Jewish faith did not have any law against such a practice, they quickly became the bankers and merchants. This perhaps may be one of the reasons why the Jewish people are viewed as always greedy. They invested and merely wanted their return, but to ask for repayment is sinful to other religions.
Provost Stearn, I was insulted to see your fear in globalization. This fear that consumerism, materialism, or whatever name it is we wish to impose on it is a greed that is useless and is devouring mankind. This materialism has provided for new forms of transportation, better living environments with air conditioning, and an increase of wealth that helps raise members of the society out of poverty. We do not want to spread this?
We have not even addressed the simple concept of comparative advantage.

To the dear Russian professors and students, do not fall for the faux pas. Trade is essential and a brilliant form of interconnecting mankind with one another. Why would anyone not want to have the goods that make you happy? We are not only producers but consumers... we live each day in purpose of bettering ourselves off for tomorrow. History is important so I am not trying to say that Provost Stearn is on the wrong track but to quote Mises' in Human Action. "The subject matter of all historical sciences is the past. They cannot teach us anything which would be valid for all human actions, that is, for the future too. The study of history makes a man wise and judicious. But it does not by itself provide any knowledge and skill which could be utilized for handling concrete tasks."

The Perverse Incentives of Student Program Funding

2008-04-06T22:21:00.008-04:00

The past few weeks I have been trying to work on planning Econ Society events for the Fall semester. While this can be fun work coming up with new ideas, there are certainly some less exciting things to deal with with. The least pleasant task involved is going through the student funding board. Sure it is great that they pay for our events and all, but the filling and submitting forms can be a pain. Since I am a candidate for becoming the next President of the Econ Society, Astrid has been kindly showing me through this process of budgeting and working with the Student Funds Board. While reading the rules for the funding I was taken aback by a few things:
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There is not much in the way of getting $2500 per semester for your organization. You just fill out forms and submit them. I know some tax payer money goes towards this, but we also each pay an Activities fee in our tuition. So next time you see some long-haired hippies having Stop Sweatshop events you can smile knowing your money went to that
$173,786. That is the amount of money given in the 2003-2004 academic year alone to student organizations by the SFB at Mason. I can only imagine that they are spending much more now, with more students this year than ever.
Up to $1000 per semester can be given to an organization for fund raising events. The organization is allowed to keep all money from the fund rasier, the only rule is that it must not donate the money to any individual or organization. It doesn't say that the organization can't spend it on whatever they want though.

Of course the usual Public Choice theory on perverse incentives of bureacracy hold true here: bureacracies will maximize their budgets. The use-it-or-lose-it does not fully apply in this scenario though. Sure your club would be stupid to not use all the $2500, but if it uses less it does not lose any future funding. Another positive is that each organization can only get $2500 a semester as a rule, so I would hope there would be no rent-seeking or some organizations getting concentrated benefits more than the rest. Still for students and taxpayers, chances are that they are still getting shafted by this system. Every club that is rational is going to spend the entire $2500 per semester since there is no benefit to saving money.

While ruminating on all of this I stumbled across one of GMU's coolest PHd student professors, Dan D'Amico's, post on Mises.org from 2004 entitled, Deliver Us From "Student Government", in which he details the same if not worse situation at the University of Texas. Dan does an excellent job in the piece pointing out the problems and hypocrisy of student governments. One part that particulary caught my eye though was on funding at University of Texas:

"In my last semester, our SGA designated an amount of $10,000 to Etc, the student organization dedicated to spreading social awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc lifestyles. Etc. applied for the money in order to host a fund raiser aimed at raising $3,000...The $10,000 is not a loan that will be returned but rather a gift to the student organization with certain stipulations. Etc. is not free to spend that $10,000 directly on its own goals and entertainment but according to SGA regulations, they are allowed to use it to fundraise an amount as low as ten percent of their initial request. Once they raise this money it is theirs to do with as they wish. This process magically turns $10,000 into $3,000 or less."

This is an amazing point that Dan brings up. Mason has a comparable system, but with more relaxed rules, but at least less money is given out. Unfortunately not even a 10% return is required for the fund raiser. So even worse, those kids whose organization you may disagree with politically, religiously, or morally, they can use the money you paid the school to have fund raisers after which they can keep the money for their own uses.

Now, you may ask what is the point of all this complaining, or what is the point because everyone already knows this happens. Don't worry, I have a reason for all of this and it is not all pessimism. Well infact, I do have a solution in mind that could be implemented to solve these incentives issues: direct rewards to organizations. The SFB should give out bonuses or rewards to be spent however they see fit to officers of clubs that do not spend all available funds for a semester. The reward amounts could be proportionate to the amount saved or not, as long as they were less than the money saved. The officers of clubs would have to think twice before requesting funds for large end of year party events, and certainly would not hold what they thought were useless events. Maybe this isn't the best solution, and maybe I have a conflict of interest in that I too want to be President of the next Econ Society, but I think it works. What do you all think?