Mark Jordan

Positive News out of Cuba

Aug 23, 2011 at 10:57 AM

By Mark Jordan

Some good news came out of Cuba came earlier this month in the form of privatization of property. This "nucleus of capitalism," as it's stated in the New York Times article, should likely lead to more general economic success in Cuba so long as the rights to property and the contracts on which the property is agreed are honored in a timely, consistent, and legitimate manner. This liberalization will likely lead to other reforms if done correctly, which could lead to further gains for the Cuban people in any number of sectors.

While it remains too early to tell whether Cuba will have the political will to see out the policy change to its full capacity, there is already evidence of the energy in the Cuban people for this much needed, long overdue change. The NYT article opens by describing an "eager" entrepreneur who is gearing up for change. This is likely to be true across the island, and will show that the policies, not the people, have been backwards for such a long time.

Comments (5)

Austerity measures: Increase taxes or decrease government spending?

Jul 27, 2011 at 1:18 PM

By Mark Jordan

Current discussion over raising the debt ceiling is all over the news, and I would probably not be adding much to the discussion if I predicted whether it will or will not be raised. I would be adding an equally marginal account towards the ramifications of the outcome if I tried to do so.

Instead, the point I hope is acknowledged as Congress moves forward (with or without agreed upon legislation), some austerity measures are all but inevitable. We likely face tough economic times ahead because we are at a point in which our borrowing and spending is no longer sustainable. But there are measures we can take to alleviate tough times to come, using sound, long-run policies.

The debate over the type of austerity measures is likely as heated as the debate over the debt ceiling. Generally, there are two camps on this issue: raise taxes (T) (typically on the wealthier among us) or decrease government spending (G).

The idea behind austerity measures is generally to alleviate the deficit when it has become unsustainable.

Jordan Rides the Bus

Jul 25, 2011 at 11:29 AM

By Mark Jordan

The title of this blog is derived from an ESPN original film of the same name, as a part of the "30 for 30" documentary series. The reasons I chose this title are, one, that the documentaries are incredible and, two, because it describes my experience with public transit of late.

In the documentary, Michael Jordan, rode the team bus with all the other members of his minor league baseball team during the two years he took off from basketball as a team-building exercise.

My own experience riding the bus over recent weeks, to and from work, is not likely to appear on ESPN anytime soon. This experience starts around 7:45 each morning, when I wake up with enough time to eat and catch the 8:30 Red Line to campus. I have become particularly fond of the Red Line, and joke frequently with friends about how much better it is than any other form of transportation. Yesterday, I attempted to catch the Red Line over to a restaurant where my friends were watching the game. I missed that bus, but fortunately, a trolley runs by the same stop a little bit after, and I was able to catch it. Strangely, I found myself being the only one on the bus. For about 20 minutes it was me and the bus driver, like my own personal limo driver came to pick me up (and then took a really roundabout way to my destination).

How does this experience fit with the ideas of liberty?

A Debate for Libertarians

Jul 21, 2011 at 1:23 PM

By Mark Jordan

An interesting debate came up amidst fellow libertarians while at a seminar hosted by the Institute for Humane Studies surrounding the reasons why liberty seems preferable. Though outside the mainstream discussion of politics, libertarians do not all think exactly alike -- even though a unified message might produce a more persuasive argument for our cause. Most people with whom I discuss the ideas of liberty are often surprised when I tell them about the spectrum of philosophies that fall under the umbrella of libertarianism, as enumerated by David Hart.

The debate centered on whether freedoms and liberties are a means to an ends, or ends unto themselves. In other words, do we espouse the ideas of freedom because we believe it produces the best economic outcomes, as someone like Mises would point out? Or do we believe in freedoms because there is actual value to living free, outside purely economic reasons? Though advocating similar policy prescriptions, this philosophical debate is one among libertarians that may be very important in the larger fight against statism.