Money and Banking

The Yen remains strong for a variety of reasons. Restrained monetary policy in Japan isn't one of them.

Sound money is the most important check on government spending.

Our greatest enemy today is the economic illiteracy and confusion on the part of those who insist on “planning,” “stabilizing,” and straitjacketing the economy.

Ships aren’t cheap to purchase. But when financing is abnormally cheap and expectations of future business are rosy, it stands to reason that shipping companies would put in a raft of orders.

If helicopter money is implemented, those who first gain the use of the new money may benefit by increasing consumption before prices rise, while others will see prices rise before they are able or willing to use the money. But the end result will be higher prices but no overall increase in welfare. 

The Fed says it's scaling back its Quantitative Easing programs, but it still maintains a huge balance sheet. Unfortunately, the Fed has no plan to really unwind its massive QE programs, and has backed itself into a corner.

Europe continues to move toward banning physical cash. But, in spite of government claims, it's not about fighting crime. It's about economic control.

Leonidas Zelmanovitz discusses his recent book, The Ontology and Function of Money: The Philosophical Fundamentals of Monetary Institutions.

A successful economy depends on innovative entrepreneurs who are willing to take large risks in return for the chance at great profits.

Central banks are in the business of price controls through monetary policy. But, when monetary policy fails, as it is doing now, central banks may look toward more broad forms of price controls as well.