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Globalism makes freedom of speech impossible

Globalism makes freedom of speech impossible

Last year there were burnings of religious books in Sweden, leading to a diplomatic crisis. During a press conference, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that the government is currently not planning to restrict freedom of speech, although some of his government colleagues seem to take a different view.

The Multi-Headed Elites

The Multi-Headed Elites

This piece was published April 22, 2024 at Brownstone Institute. It was co-written with Tuomas Malinen, CEO and the Chief Economist of GnS Economics.

The imperial boomerang

The imperial boomerang

We have earlied pondered the likelihood of a financial event horizon (warning: Swedish) for the United States. Since then, little has improved, rather the opposite - at least gauging from the budget outcomes and national debt perspectives.

Central bankers talk the talk, but fail to walk the walk

Central bankers talk the talk, but fail to walk the walk

Trust is a topic increasingly being discussed. Whether it is trust in each other, in the media, or in our authorities, trust is generally seen as a cornerstone of a strong and well-functioning society. The topic was also the theme of the World Economic Forum at its annual meeting in Davos earlier this year. Even among central bank economists, the subject is becoming more prevalent. Last year, Agustín Carstens, head of the BIS (“the central bank of central banks”), said that “[w]ith trust, the public will be more willing to accept actions that involve short-term costs in exchange for long-term benefits” and that “trust is vital for policy effectiveness”.

The colour of the cat doesn't matter

The colour of the cat doesn't matter

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, stated during a hearing in March that the central bank has no plans to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDCs) or consider it necessary at present. He said this even though the material Fed staff presents to Congress suggests otherwise - that CBDCs are described as one of the Fed’s key duties.

Bitcoin and the waterwheel

Bitcoin and the waterwheel

Biologist Stuart Kauffman introduced the concept of the “adjacent possible” in evolutionary biology in 1996. A bacterium cannot suddenly transform into a flamingo; rather, it must rely on small exploratory changes (of the “adjacent possible”) if it is ever to become a beautiful pink flying creature. The same principle applies to human societies, all of which exemplify complex systems. It is indeed challenging to transform shivering cave-dwellers into a space travelers without numerous intermediate steps.

Pride comes before a fall

Pride comes before a fall

The Governor of the Swedish Central Bank, Erik Thedéen, recently expressed significant skepticism about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies as a phenomenon, dismissing Bitcoin as “an instrument for pure speculation.” He also pointed out that if there is no possibility to expose oneself to Bitcoin in the Swedish financial system, it might end up “more in criminal hands.” The European Central Bank is on the same track. In a recent blog post, they amused themselves by comparing Bitcoin ETFs to “the Emperor’s new clothes.”

KYC is the real terror

KYC is the real terror

It has become increasingly evident that our financial system has started undermine our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights. Payment giants like PayPal, Mastercard, and Visa sometimes block the ability to donate money. Individuals, companies, and associations lose bank accounts — or struggle to open new ones. In bank offices, people nowadays risk undergoing something resembling being cross-examined. The regulations are becoming so cumbersome that their mere presence risks tarnishing the banks’ reputation.

Robbing the human race

Robbing the human race

TL;DR: Contemporary regulations not only threaten internet giants with substantial fines if they fail in their censorship efforts, but also undermine truth itself according to one of history’s foremost proponents of liberalism. With so many eager censors at work, can our societies still be said to be liberal?

We are all Josef K

We are all Josef K

TL;DR: We are increasingly treated like Josef K, the protagonist in Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial. Perhaps not by the usual legal system but within the ‘shadow judiciary’ of major corporations’ user agreements and the regulatory framework of the financial sector.

In defence of conspiracy theories

In defence of conspiracy theories

the honorable men whose daggers have stabbed Caesar

WHO's omeletting our future?

WHO's omeletting our future?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is approaching revisions to its constitution. The International Health Regulations (IHR) is considered a legally binding international instrument, applicable to 196 countries.

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