26econ.com keeps a ranking of top Economics Blogs, and Market Urbanism debuts at 196/255. Not bad for one month online..... Here is the announcement of new additions to the rankings: New Economics BlogsThanks to loyal readers. Hopefully, Market Urbanism will move up the rankings quickly. … [Read more...]
Video: Both Sides of Proposition 98
With the referendum approaching, the debate over rent control is heating up in California. This video is pretty balanced in showing both sides. There are some memorable quotes, like "social security and pension plan would not pay the market rent, so I just wouldn't eat." I guess this guy values … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 3: Mobility, Regional Growth, Development and Class Conflict
Part One of this series was a refresher on the Microeconomics of Rent Control and touched on how it encourages hoarding Part Two discussed rent controls influence on the black market for apartments, rental property deterioration and housing discrimination. Here in Part Three, we will discuss how … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 2: Black Market, Deterioration and Discrimination
With New York's new Governor's rent subsidized by his landlord and California debating the best ways to end rent control through Proposition 98, I thought it was a good opportunity to discuss the negative aspects of rent control.This post is the second in a four part series on the rent control. … [Read more...]
Rent Control Part 1: Microeconomics Lesson & Hoarding
This post has been released as the first in a four part series: Rent Control Part One: Microeconomics Lesson and Hoarding Rent Control Part Two: Black Market, Deterioration, and Discrimination Rent Control Part Three: Mobility, Regional Growth, Development, and Class Conflict Rent Control Part … [Read more...]
Vending Machine Economics in Japan
Tyler Cowen of Marginal Revolution is in Japan, and is fascinated by the number of vending machines. He takes a minute to ponder on the economics of vending machines in Tokyo.First we must look to the shortage of storage space in homes. I suspect few Japanese want to buy big piles of stuff … [Read more...]
University of Chicago Creates Milton Friedman Institute
Crain's Chicago Business: U of C honors Friedman with $200M centerEventually, the Friedman Institute will be housed in buildings now occupied by the Chicago Theological Seminary on 58th Street between Woodlawn and University avenues. The U of C is buying the buildings and has agreed to build a … [Read more...]
How McCain or Obama Can Permanently Eliminate the Gas Tax, Cut Pork and Help the Environment
John McCain and Hillary Clinton have both supported the idea of a "Gas Tax Holiday". The whole idea of a Holy Day to celebrate the worship of socialized transportation catered by Santa Clinton/McCain seems pretty absurd to me. Nonetheless, they expect pandering to gas-addicted voters to pay off in … [Read more...]