Business
An Economic Four-Way Test
I was a member of Rotary International for many years. All meetings either started or ended with a recitation of the “Four-Way Test”. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it [more…]
Articles by Patrick Barron
America
Putting Trump’s Proposed Two Thousand Dollar Rebate in Perspective
President Trump has proposed giving “each American” a check for two thousand dollars ($2,000). Well, not “each” American. Top earners will not be included, so instead of each of the three hundred and thirty three [more…]
20th Century
A Golden Yuan Will Be Good for the American People
Bretton Woods (I) Will Be Replaced by Bretton Woods (II) In his recent interview at Manioco64 Alasdair Macleod used the term “Bretton Woods II” to describe the steady progress being made by China to make [more…]
Economics
The Distraction of the “Gross National Product” Economic Metric
For many years now it seems that the state of a nation’s economic health has been reduced, at least in the mainstream press, to one metric—Gross National Product (GDP). Despite rising prices, increasing public and [more…]
Economics
A Simple Solution to the Tariff Wars
US President Donald Trump has kicked off a tit-for-tat tariff war, claiming that foreign tariffs against American goods harms America and that American tariffs against foreign goods are essential to rebuild America’s manufacturing base. Frankly, [more…]
Economics
Can the BRICS Nations Lead Us to a Better World?
There is much gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair by just about every leader in the West, especially by an almost apoplectic President Trump, over a so-called “sinister threat” by the BRICS nations to [more…]
Business
No Need to Control Resources; Access Is Sufficient
For a long time political pundits have wished that the US government was run “more like a business”; thus, believing that a businessman would be preferable to a politician. A businessman’s goal is to make [more…]
Politics
Return to First Principles to End Wars in the Middle East
The world is being driven to war, possibly nuclear war, by current leaders who want their citizens to believe that that there are no other options. This is patently NOT TRUE. Let us explore first [more…]
Economics
The Protectionists Have No Theory
President Trump’s tariff blitz has shocked and alienated almost all students of economic science, but he seems to have a loyal following of support among the electorate. Students of economic science have a rich history [more…]