This paper investigates the methods that government uses to manipulate the media where it is unfree. Using data from original fieldwork, we provide a detailed anatomy of state controlled media manipulation by looking at Romania's developing economy. We find that outlet ownership is important,...

This paper explores the role of media in economic development. In particular, we seek to outline the conditions under which the media contributes to the successful adoption of policies aimed at economic progress. Our core thesis is that successful economic development requires the coordination...

This paper explores the importance of international trade in generating both immediate economic benefits and broader benefits of peace. We discuss the theoretical foundations of international trade as a source of economic and non-economic benefits that foster peace. Next, we review the empirical...

Unintended consequences entail the attainment of ends not originally envisioned when a person decides to pursue a particular course of action; the employment of particular means, expected to produce a certain desired consequence, actually produces different or additional consequences not...

In spite of general reductions in government spending, the prime minister has found room in the government's budget to spend money on a major survey of what makes the British people happy. This will be used, in the prime minister’s own words, to guide government policy towards improvement in...

In 1919, in the wake of the Central Power’s defeat in World War I, Ludwig von Mises published his second book, Nation, State, and Economy. The book explores the consequences of war and the type of political and economic arrangements likely to generate a lasting peace in the future. This paper...

Gene Sharp, a political scientist best known for his work on nonviolent action, passed away on January 28, 2018. Sharp leaves a lasting impact on academia, practitioners of nonviolent action, and societies who have used his methods to create political and social change. Sharp developed a...

While many costs of war are obvious and recognized, the full domestic consequences are often understated or overlooked. War making — both preparations for war and the act of war itself — provides an avenue through which constraints on governments are either weakened or ignored, allowing for...

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, offer significant potential benefits for development. This is especially true in environments where transportation is costly, such as mountainous regions or areas with poor infrastructure. We discuss the benefits of drones for development with specific...

The COVID-19 outbreak prompted governments around the world to employ a range of emergency methods to combat the pandemic. In many countries these emergency measures relied heavily on police powers, which refer to the capacity of governments to forcefully regulate behavior and impose order as...