Research & Publications
| In Print | |
In Focus | |
In Context | |
In Closing |
Welcome to Fraser Insight Welcome to Fraser Insight, the brand-new electronic newsletter of the Fraser Institute for Americans. This inaugural issue of Fraser Insight provides an overview of the Institute’s burgeoning efforts in the United States and gives us an opportunity to introduce Fraser am.eri.ca and the team behind this exciting new endeavor. As many of you know, earlier this year the Fraser Institute opened a new chapter in our history by devoting more resources to the United States. This effort has been highlighted by our launch of the Fraser am.eri.ca website and our hiring of American researchers with expertise in the environment, energy, regulatory policy, international security, and defense. Featuring cogent commentaries and in-depth research, Fraser am.eri.ca is dedicated to exploring the challenges and opportunities facing the United States from a unique perspective—a pro-market, pro-freedom outlook that blends analysis from right here in the United States with helpful insights that can come only from a distance. Diane Katz (Director of Risk, Environment, and Energy Policy) and Alan Dowd (Senior Fellow and Senior Editor of Fraser am.eri.ca) anchor our US efforts, with support from other researchers across the United States and Canada. To keep you abreast of our research team’s work, each issue of Fraser Insight will include four departments highlighting specific areas of activity: In Print features recent commentaries and op-eds; In Focus includes recently released studies and reports; In Context provides updates on events, media appearances, and conferences; and In Closing provides helpful contact and background information. If you have any comments, feel free to e-mail us at insight@fraserinstitute.org.
Self-interest Benefits Everyone “Greed”—or more accurately “self-interest”—is not the problem or the reason for the current financial crisis. Wall Street, Main Street, and every other street in North America is built on individuals and businesses pursuing their own self-interest. (Full article) Missile Defense Goes Global America’s missile defense program now enfolds 18 countries and has blossomed into an international missile defense coalition. (Full article) A Barrel Full of Problems If the campaign rhetoric means anything, the next administration is likely to be less friendly to petroleum imports than its predecessors have been. (Full article) The Lonely Path No US president—no matter how firm or flexible his foreign policy—can please every ally or placate every foe. (Full article) America’s Fiscal Future The Bush tax cuts will expire under economic conditions that are similar to those that propelled their enactment: economic malaise. This should give the next president pause. (Full article) Missile Defense Moves Forward These are heady days for the burgeoning international missile defense system, which the United States is building in cooperation with its closest allies. (Full article) Are We Ready for WWWI? The World Wide Web has become a battleground. Just ask our friends in Estonia. (Full article) The Path to Prosperity Most states have maintained a high degree of economic freedom and embraced polices that nurture economic freedom. (Full article)
The Michigan House and Senate have approved legislation to limit competition in the supply of electricity. This will tax the budgets of families and the businesses that employ them. (Full article) Drilling Regulations Hurt Colorado Colorado has plummeted from being the most favorable jurisdiction overall for petroleum investment to a measly 53rd out of 81 jurisdictions worldwide. (Full article) Costly Consequences Cap and trade is frequently described as a “market” solution to pollution. But in reality, there’s not much that is market friendly about cap and trade. (Full article)
 Economic Freedom of North America: This marks the first time the Fraser Institute has produced a US edition of the report. Delaware claims the top spot in this year’s report; West Virginia is the lowest-rated state. (Full report) The Hidden Costs of Single-Payer Health Care Americans spend more of their incomes on health care than do Canadians, as pundits and politicians often point out, but Americans get a lot more for their money, including faster access to more and better medical resources. (Full report) Global Petroleum Survey 2008 The Global Petroleum Survey’s rankings are based on grades from those who know best: managers and executives in the petroleum industry. According to the study, “Nine of the top 10 jurisdictions ranked as most favorable to investment were in the United States.” (Full report) Economic Freedom of the World: 2008 Annual Report The Fraser Institute’s latest survey of the state of global economic freedom reveals that the United States has fallen to eighth place. Hong Kong tops the rankings. (Full report) Seniors and Drug Prices in Canada and the United States: 2008 Edition “On average, Canadian seniors pay 101% more than American seniors for identical generic drugs,” the study concludes. This is a function of government policies that shield retail pharmacies and generic manufacturers from competitive market forces. (Full report) Measuring Labor Markets in the United States and Canada: 2008 Report This report provides a comprehensive measure of labor market performance, using indicators such as job creation, unemployment, and productivity. Nevada is the top-ranked state; Michigan comes in last. (Full report)
Director of Risk, Environment, and Energy Policy Diane Katz attended the State Policy Network’s 16th Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she served as a panelist for a policy session on climate change. She spoke about the Western Climate Initiative and other regional pacts between states to tax and regulate carbon emissions and the use of fossil fuels.
Fraser Institute The Fraser Institute is an independent non-profit organization with no affiliations to any political party or government. We depend entirely on contributions from thousands of organizations, foundations, and individuals. We also generate revenue from Institute events, the sale of publications, and from interest on invested endowment funds. To find out more, call (604) 714-4590 or e-mail sherry.stein@fraserinstitute.org.
Subscribe to Fraser Insight Privacy Policy | http://am.eri.ca © 2008. All Rights Reserved. |
Alan Dowd is a Senior Fellow of the Fraser Institute, conducting research into defense and security, and the Senior Editor of Fraser am.eri.ca. Dowd has worked in policy research for more than a decade, having been on the staff of a US congressman, a contributor to a number of policy publications, director of the Hudson Institute’s corporate headquarters, and a senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute. At both Hudson and Sagamore, he researched defense and security issues. His writing has appeared in Policy Review, Parameters, American Legion Magazine, Military Officer, Wall Street Journal Europe, Baltimore Sun, Washington Times, Washington Examiner, Jerusalem Post, World Politics Review, and American Enterprise. Contact him at (317) 578-0061 or 
Diane Katz is the Director of Risk, Environment, and Energy Policy at the Fraser Institute. Katz has more than two decades of experience researching and writing about public policy, including six years as the director of science, environment, and technology with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, and nine years as a member of the Detroit News editorial board, where she specialized in science, the environment, telecommunications, technology, and the auto industry. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, National Review, Weekly Standard, Reason, and dozens of regional and local newspapers. Contact her at (313) 378-6986 or 