There’s been a lot of handwringing by American lefties over the austerity plans that Germany is asking indebted eurozone governments like Italy and Greece to implement in exchange for bailouts, but many aspects of the plans – especially labor market deregulation – are long overdue no matter … [Read more...]
Retail Rent Control
Thanks to Bill Nelson for tipping me off to the article from The Villager (NYC): Retail rent control? A city councilmember planned to introduce a bill this week that will require small businesses and landlords to submit to arbitration in negotiating lease renewals if both parties can’t agree on a … [Read more...]
Vending Machine Economics in Japan
Tyler Cowen of Marginal Revolution is in Japan, and is fascinated by the number of vending machines. He takes a minute to ponder on the economics of vending machines in Tokyo.First we must look to the shortage of storage space in homes. I suspect few Japanese want to buy big piles of stuff … [Read more...]