Many companies have “self-regulated” by launching initiatives that improve the marketplace, e.g. setting ethical work standards or by providing consumers with more information. These policies are particularly encouraging because they are completely voluntary. However, governments are continuously perverting self-regulation for their own narrative. A Few Examples of Self-Regulation There are many reasons why companies choose […]
Public-health advocates are moving in on the one danger we’ve all been missing: cereal-box cartoon characters. That’s right, Tony the Tiger, Cap’n Crunch, Count Chocula, and Snap, Crackle and Pop are all after our children. But, luckily, the European Union, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Jamie Oliver are here to protect us. No, I’m […]
In a crushing report, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) went after EU spending on plans for a European high-speed rail network. The institution calls current plans “very unlikely”, and describes them as having “low added” value. And yet, the Juncker Commission does little to nothing to reduce cohesion spending, which, according to its own […]
As the European Union’s integration policies come increasingly under fire, and the union does not agree between itself where it wants to head, it is unwise for Brussels to flirt with the accession of countries such as Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia or Albania. In fact, the EU needs a halt to all accessions for a longer […]
Belgium’s Communist party is gaining support in the polls despite being ideologically motivated by some of the worst criminals of the 20th century. As a result, the Belgian liberal party is arguing for increased awareness of the crimes of communism in schools. Despite the partisan politics involved in this call for enlightenment, it is duly […]
On Wednesday, England lost its semi-final World Cup game against Croatia. Reason enough for those obsessed by Brexit, and having lost the argument in 2016, to get out and moralise based on a sport. It doesn’t take much reading to understand how the question of “why do they hate us” answers itself.
The European Council has adopted draft conclusions regarding the marketing of so-called “junk food” products, in which it calls for restrictions on advertisement, in an effort to protect children. The targets are foods high in energy, saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, sugar and salt.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently appeared in a hearing in the European Parliament. EU legislators wanted to re-create a similar situation than the hearing conducted in the U.S Congress. Once again, Zuckerberg found himself at a public trial, being used for the self-aggrandisement of politicians. Why does nobody appreciate the value created by Silicon Valley […]
French president Emmanuel Macron had to endure significant criticism this week for implying that French welfare expenditure is “insane.” Instead of going after him for telling the truth, French people should hold Macron accountable for the fact that he is doing nothing to end it.
In my first article for this blog, which happened to be republished from a column of mine for the Foundation for Economic Education, I asked what “European values” are supposed to be, and who gets to determine them. In the year leading up to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, this question is […]
Bill Wirtz 