Economics
Regulation
At a Glance
Because the sources and targets of regulation are diverse, the language complex and often opaque, and the volume overwhelming, much regulatory activity escapes public notice and debate with little discussion of costs or alternative methods for achieving the same ends. Our immediate purpose is to provide information and analysis about specific issues. Our longer-range goal is to make regulation as sensible, cost-effective, and least restrictive as possible.
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Featured Content
Study
Cato Handbook on Executive Orders and Presidential Directives
Executive orders and other presidential directives that conflict with the principles of individual liberty, free markets, limited government, peace, and the American Constitution should be revoked or amended by the next president.
Cato Daily Podcast
Reforming State and Local Economic Development Subsidies
Featuring Marc Joffe and Caleb O. Brown
Offering subsidies is how many states show interest in bringing in a new business enterprise and states regularly try to offer more than other states can, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Marc Joffe explains how states can get out of the trap of playing the subsidies game against their neighbors.
blog
Latest Attempt to Restore Financial Privacy: the Saving Privacy Act
This kind of reform restores the proper balance—as provided by the Fourth Amendment—between Americans’ privacy rights and law enforcement’s ability to gather evidence to enforce laws. It would protect individuals’ financial privacy and improve federal agencies’ abilities to prosecute criminal activity rather than sift through millions of low-value reports.
Commentary
Silvergate Bankruptcy Reveals Major Regulatory Problem
Such an abuse of power is why the U.S. founders set up a limited government, and it is one of the main reasons federal agencies should not have so much discretion.
blog
Central Planning Will Not Solve California’s Housing Shortage
By Marc Joffe
Rather than micromanage the housing production process, they should be getting out of the way and allowing home builders and home buyers the flexibility needed to alleviate the state’s housing shortage.
