Catholic Economics

I discuss the policy of open or lightly regulated borders with respect to the recent CCP Virus outbreak. Free Trade is Risky | Ep 44

I discuss the economics of free trade in the context of the liberal worldview. Free trade is an obvious policy, until something goes wrong.

I discuss the CDF's 2018 document "Economic and Financial Issues" and provide my view on their fundamental principles and the application of those principles in the worldwide financial system. Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones

I discuss the panic, fearmongering, risk, uncertainty, and market plunge associated with the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus. Show notes: COVID-19 isn't as deadly as we think - Slate

I discuss the notion of the just price according to the School of Salamanca. Specifically, I use an article from the Distributist Review to respond to some libertarian critics of price controls and add some economic meat to the article. Corporation Christendom - Dr. Peter Chojnowski

Though it's not published yet, Trent Horn's forthcoming book on socialism will likely spark a lot of discussion on Catholic Social Teaching. As a preview, I provide here a critique of a talk he gave on the subject at Benedictine College late last year. Show notes: Horn's talk at Benedictine College Trad Dad's episode on Labor Economics & Policy

Is economics a reliable guide for morality? How should we respond when we are told our policy views are incoherent because we "don't understand economics?" Show Notes We're All Utilitarians Now? - Levi Russell

Vix Pervenit is, in my view, the most important encyclical on usury. Its admonitions against usury are applicable to all of Christendom, so we should all understand it very clearly. I hope I have provided you with some clarity in this episode! Show notes: Vix Pervenit - Pope Benedict XIV Ethics and the National Economy - Fr. Heinrich Pesch, S.J. "Extrinsic Interest" - Wikipedia on Vix Pervenit Usu...

I will be doing an episode or two on Vix Pervenit later this week, so to prepare, here is a reading of that encyclical. Vix Pervenit - His Holiness Pope Benedict XIV, 1745

Interview with Anthony Stine of the Return to Tradition podcast. Anthony gives a personal perspective on minimum wage work, the gig economy, and the reality many face in today's workforce. Dept of Labor Tip Info

Recently, California's legislature passed a law effectively banning so-called "gig work" and requiring companies like Uber to treat their contractors as employees. The law went into effect on January 1, but in December controversy around businesses' response to the regulation flared up. In this episode, Levi R addresses the conservative and left-wing responses to the controversy and proposes a mor...

In the various policy debates over trade and industrial policy, the framing is very important. I discuss the tradeoffs between manufacturing employment and output given the trends we've seen in these two data series over the last 20 years. Manufacturing Employment Graph Annual Growth in Manufacturing Employment Graph Manufacturing Real Output Graph Annual Growth in Manufacturing Output Graph Andre...

Levi B joins in to discuss several important reasons for homeschooling. Levi B was homeschooled for 8 years and he and his wife homeschool their children. His experience is enlightening! Show notes: 7 Reasons School is Not An Option for My Homeschooled Kids Home School Legal Defense Association

Levi R responds to a short video clip by Johan Norberg on atomistic individualism. He then responds to an article in Reason Magazine that attempts to spin Catholic Social Teaching as really just an application of libertarian political theory! Show notes: Norberg on Atomistic Individualism Slade on Catholic Social Teaching

Levi R addresses 4 objections to Distributism or CST-consistent economic policy. The primary issues are definitional: what is "concentrated power?" How should Catholics build their politics around the principle of subsidiarity?

Levi R discusses some important issues with labor economics and popular policies that many believe will solve some of our economic problems. What are "breadwinner jobs?" How do we get more of them? How do we raise wages? Links: Definition of "breadwinner jobs" Breadwinner jobs data Deep State Declassified with David Stockman

Levi R presents some of the strongest arguments in favor of cooperatives and responds to a few common criticisms. We'd like your feedback! Please hit us up on Twitter (@traddads) or in the comments on YouTube. Family vs Rugged Individualism | Trad Dads Social Security | Trad Dads

Levi R interviews a trained philosopher and former Twitter Thomist. Is liberalism necessary or sufficient for the material prosperity we now enjoy? What about the problems we face in modern society? Sortes sorts it out for us!

Many on both the right and left advocate mandatory paid parental leave. The left likes this policy for women's empowerment and redistributive purposes. Some on the right like it because it sounds pro-natalist and pro-family. The question is, does mandatory paid parental leave actually accomplish its intended goals? Is it an effective pro-family policy or is there something better? Ship of Fools by...

Levi R discusses Social Security and its critics. Can it be salvaged? Is there a better way? Are the common critiques any good? Fix Social Security game

Levi R discusses the concept of economies of scale in policy and political discourse. Do the left and right view economies of scale differently? Is economies of scale an immutable law of nature that cannot be violated by policy?

Levi R gives a brief primer on tariffs and other trad policies. He then provides a discussion of the U.S. / China trade ware and gives an update on the latest action. Don't miss it! Primer on tariffs ends at approximately 11:55 Get Economics for Helen from IHS Press. They are in a transition period and you can call for your copy! U.S. vs China Trade War Timeline

Levi B and Levi R discuss social media platforms. Should we be expected to just build another social media platform or are there barriers to the creation of new platforms? Do we have alternatives to Twitter and Facebook now? Why aren't they bigger?

Levi R discusses the economics and politics of international trade as if communities mattered. Yes, unlimited trade makes many of us wealthier, but at what cost? IHS Press - Economics for Helen (order by phone or email)

In this somewhat unusual episode, Levi R has some harsh words for the Anti-Distributists. Distributism was an attempt to apply the social teaching of the Church to the problems of the early 20th century. It has a ton of great ideas, some of which are very useful today. The most important thing is that you form your economic policy perspectives around Church teaching, rather than the other way arou...