Internet Explorer 8

3935

internet-explorer-8

It seems that the ASI website is not displaying properly for Windows users who have upgraded to Internet Explorer 8. With a bit of luck, we'll be able to sort that out over the next few weeks, but apologies for any inconvenience in the meantime. The website is still displaying properly in Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera – all of which are available for free download by following the links.

James Freeland joins the ASI

3930

james-freeland-joins-the-asi

I am delighted to have the opportunity to be able to experience a think tank as prestigious as the Adam Smith Institute for two weeks. I have completed A Levels in History, Maths and English Literature and have an offer from Brasenose College, Oxford to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics next year. Whilst I have not formally studied any of the three disciplines yet,  I have enjoyed reading about British Political History, Constitutional Theory and of course Competition and Free Markets!

I am particularly interested in how free-market theories can be applied practically to facilitate an effective recovery from the current recession, and improve the currently inefficient provision of public services. Something I feel  particularly strongly is that educational reforms under the current government have failed to advance opportunity or decrease inequality sufficiently. Furthermore, there are serious implications to the fact that, regardless of the reality, qualifications are constantly being devalued in the minds of the public and employers. The constant creeping infringement of civil liberties is something that also concerns me. Thankfully ID cards have for the moment been undermined and will not be compulsory, but the advent of  increasingly complex technology means that we must be vigilant about the nature of information stored about us and how it is used.

In my spare time, I enjoy casual games of tennis and golf, and travel whenever possible.

And now for something completely different

3919

and-now-for-something-completely-different

David Rawcliffe joins the ASI

3903

david-rawcliffe-joins-the-asi

I’m studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, at Exeter College, Oxford, where I spend a lot of my time arguing, with anyone who will listen, for the free-market policies Britain needs. Thinking that my tutors and fellow students had probably heard enough, I applied for a summer placement at the ASI, who have offered me a chance to work for them over the next two months.

This is a brilliant time to be working at the ASI. The economic crisis - and the rocketing government spending, surging market intervention, and collapsing trust in capitalism that have followed - has made it more important than ever to argue for limited government, and limited spending; to point out to both policy makers and the public how government interference in the market led us to where we are; and to explain why the government can provide no easy route out. I’m really looking forward to playing a part in that.

As part of my degree I’m taking papers in British and American Politics, Political Theory, Money & Banking and Public Economics, which I hope will all prove helpful here. In time away from work, I‘m generally to be found flying aircraft, sitting in a pub, or playing golf badly.

Apologies for the service interruption

3887

apologies-for-the-service-interruption

As regular visitors may have noticed, the ASI website has been offline for the last 24 hours. This was due to a number of technical difficulties, which we hope have now been resolved. We'll be posting a few blog pieces over the course of the afternoon, and resuming normal service over the weekend. Thanks for reading...

And in other news...

3886

and-in-other-news

It seems that even members of the animal kingdom are resorting to desperate measures during the economic downturn...

'"Definitely never been robbed by a monkey before," says store co-owner Jerry Duncan.'

Freedom Week at Cambridge

3880

freedom-week-at-cambridge

Last week was memorable for the 30 students lucky enough to win places at Freedom Week. Held at Cambridge in July, the week features lectures on the history of liberty and its relevance to the modern world. Organized by Jean-Paul Floru, Freedom Week is now in its fourth year. Its students stay at Sidney Sussex College, and have a packed programme of lectures, enlivened by social activities which include meals, receptions, punting and a barbecue. This year's event was agreed by those who attended to be excellent, featuring lecturers of very high quality, and with high level discussions both in the conference hall and in the social activities afterwards. It was helped by the weather, which stayed clear until the conference closed, at which point the heavens opened….

1994: The beginning of the beginning

3869

1994-the-beginning-of-the-beginning

Tony takes power. How the Party must wish he was still around.

I owe you nothing

3867

i-owe-you-nothing

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

Mark Twain

Consumers value the benefits of advertising

3865

consumers-value-the-benefits-of-advertising

A worrying fact for the BBC.