Research & Publications
| In Print | |
In Focus | |
In Context | |
In Closing |
Welcome to Fraser Insight Welcome to Fraser Insight, the Fraser Institute’s quarterly newsletter focused on US policy. Leading off, we are proud to announce that an international study of 5,465 think tanks conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania ranks the Fraser Institute among the top 10 in the world in health policy, domestic economic policy, and international economic policy. Titled “The Global Go-To Think Tanks,” the study is based on a survey of hundreds of experts in policy research and is available here. This issue of Fraser Insight highlights why policy makers and policy shapers around the world hold the Fraser Institute in such high regard. Our In Print section includes timely commentaries covering the global financial crisis, the pitfalls of single-payer health care, the new administration’s energy policy and foreign policy, development efforts in Africa, and the future of NATO, among other topics. Digging a bit deeper, our In Focus section features the latest Economic Freedom of the Arab World Annual Report, a look at America’s historic election from a Canadian perspective, and the Institute’s annual Generosity Index. Elsewhere in this issue, the In Context section includes observations from Fraser Institute Executive Director Mark Mullins on the beleaguered economy, and In Closing provides contact information and helpful links. Speaking of helpful links, we encourage you to add Fraseramerica.org to your list of bookmarks. It’s a storehouse of ideas covering everything from trade and taxation, to defense and development, to risk and regulation. If you would like to share Fraser Insight with your friends and colleagues, let them know that they can sign up to receive our quarterly e-newsletter here. Past issues of Fraser Insight are available here. As always, we welcome your comments. Please e-mail us at insight@fraserinstitute.org.
 ‘Too Old’ for Hip Surgery President Obama and Congressional Democrats are inching the US toward government-run health insurance. Before proceeding further, here's a suggestion: Look at Canada's experience. (Full article) The Problem with Central Planning The United States and Canada actually spend about the same percentage of their GDPs—and personal disposable income—on prescription drugs. (Full article) A Question of Balance The grossly misnamed Employee Free Choice Act would restrict worker choice and throw labor markets out of balance, creating negative consequences for the economy. (Full article) Combating AIDS in Africa Activists blame the prevalence of AIDS in Africa on the high price of drugs. But the real causes of restricted access to AIDS drugs are Africa’s derelict transportation systems, widespread corruption, and poor utility infrastructure. (Full article) Beware of Bailout Whatever form it takes, government “help” for failing businesses takes money from taxpayers and businesses and delivers it to specific firms, often with disastrous results. (Full article)
With the United States deploying 30,000 more troops into Afghanistan this year—and supply routes through Pakistan under attack—clearing new arteries couldn’t come at a better time. But the new routes carry plenty of risks of their own. (Full article)
Obama’s Anti-Oil Team The environmental lobby is positively rapturous over President Obama's new “Green Dream Team.” (Full article) What the World Wants (and What It Will Get) If history is any guide, the world and Barack Obama himself are likely to be disappointed by the gap between what Washington wants to do and what it has to do. (Full article) The Trouble with Canadian Health Care The reality is that, on average, Americans spend more of their income on healthcare than Canadians do but get faster access to more and better medical resources. (Full article) AFRICOM, the Africa-focused military command created by the Bush administration, promises to be a valuable tool for the Obama administration as it pursues American interests in an increasingly important part of the world. (Full article)
Will Obama Pull a Clinton? The X-factor is how committed Obama is to implementing his campaign promises and to what extent he will compromise in order to promote economic prosperity. (Full article)
It wasn’t greed or deregulation that fueled the economic crisis; the main culprits were lax monetary policy and poor government policy attempting to increase home ownership among those least able to afford a home. (Full article)
Up in the Air What fate awaits the international missile defense system Washington has been building over the past decade? (Full article)
Now That the Panic Has Ended A reasoned approach to dealing with the financial crisis would work with market forces, rather than displacing them or pretending that they do not exist or function properly. (Full article)
NATO: A Work in Progress After doing one thing for its first 40 years, NATO now seems to be a work in progress. (Full article) Cars and Climate Change From California to Canada, there is ample evidence that more regulation on automobile emissions will likely do more harm than good. (Full article)
Check the Numbers: The Case for Due Diligence in Policy Formation Researchers and academic journals have allowed habits of secrecy to develop that severely inhibit independent replication and can negatively impact public policy formation. (Full report) Economic Freedom of the Arab World: 2008 Annual Report Kuwait and Lebanon are the most economically free Arab nations, according to the latest edition of the Economic Freedom of the Arab World annual report. (Full report) The 2008 Generosity Index (US Edition) Utah ranks first in this year’s Index, Maryland second, and Washington, DC, third. (Full report) Canada and Obama: Canada’s Stake in the 2008 Election (US Edition) This Fraser Institute report provides the American public a window into how our northern neighbor views America’s historic transition of power. (Full report)
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Mullins Offers Insights on Global Recession
Alan Dowd is a Senior Fellow of the Fraser Institute, conducting research into defense and security, and the Senior Editor of Fraseramerica.org. You can peruse his writing 
Diane Katz is the Director of Risk, Environment, and Energy Policy at the Fraser Institute. You can read her commentaries 