“Superman, Wyatt Earp, and Dorothy: The Story of Kansas" is Arthur Laffer’s assessment of the Kansas economy during and the governorship of Sam Brownback. “The Economic Burden of Tax Code Complexity” is a 2010 study by Arthur Laffer, Wayne Winegarten, and businessman John Childs about the...
In this lesson, Dr. Laffer details the origins, practical uses, and theory behind the Laffer Curve. The Laffer Curve looks at the relationship between tax rates and tax revenues. The basic theory behind this relationship is that changes in tax rates have two effects on...
Markets certainly aren’t immune to failure–however, many economic models exploring “market failure” and classic textbook examples criticizing free-markets utilize unrealistic models that underrate the innovations of real-world capitalism, and which simultaneously overrate the ability of political saviors. In this lesson, Dr. Laffer dissects the flaws...
To most people, the Fed remains a mysterious entity. In this lesson, Dr. Laffer pierces the fog by applying basic economic principles to this intimidating topic. He explains how they make money and how, contrary to popular belief, they do not set interest rates. Link to...
Regardless of a country’s natural resources, culture, or education, the institutions it has in place are far more significant in explaining its economic development. Countries with secure private property rights, the rule of law, and free markets tend to have higher per capita incomes and...
Everybody knows that the government spends a whole lot more money doing the same job than the private sector would—and usually doesn’t do as good a job. This pattern isn’t just a coincidence. There are straightforward reasons for the tendency of government interventions in the...
Brian Domitrovic's recent book, The Emergence of Arthur Laffer: The Foundations of Supply-Side Economics in Chicago and Washington, 1966-1976, explores Dr. Laffer's career before working alongside the Reagan administration. In this period, the primary focus of Dr. Laffer's studies was monetary policy, rather than tax...
This comprehensive study on Kentucky’s economic history and prosperity agenda examines state revenue, pensions, tax structure, and political corruption. While Kentucky’s economic performance has historically ranked poorly, Dr. Laffer offers remedies for a path forward. Link to study: The Commonwealth of Kentucky - An Economic History and...
