American Institute for Economic Research - AIER

09/22/2026

What is post-liberalism, and why has it gained influence on the American right?
In this episode of The Economist Next Door, host Paul Mueller speaks with James M. Patterson and Thomas D. Howes, authors of Why Post-Liberalism Failed. They explore the intellectual roots of post-liberalism and its connections to Catholic integralism and European reactionary thought.
The guests discuss the movement’s critique of liberalism and the role of figures such as Patrick Deneen and JD Vance. They also examine the movement’s relationship to conspiracy theories, anti-Semitism, economic nationalism, and historical authoritarian movements.
What can the history of post-liberalism teach us about the future of liberal democracy and the changing ideas of the American right? Listen to the full conversation to find out.

09/22/2026

Congratulations to AIER president Samuel Gregg on his upcoming book, The Civilization of Commerce, which has already been designated as a "Top New Release" in two Amazon categories.

The book is available for pre-order now with a publication date of October 13.

https://a.co/d/004cZieN

09/18/2026

We walk through the three options Costco faces: keep prices flat and watch inventory vanish, raise prices and face angry customers, or raise prices moderately and ration the rest. It's the same playbook we saw during the 2022 baby formula shortage — and it all comes down to one fundamental idea: prices communicate information about scarcity and demand. When prices can't move, rationing has to pick up the slack.

09/17/2026

Data centers are booming — but they’re a hot topic in the news.

What do their success actually mean for your community?

Join us on September 23 for a free virtual Harwood Salon with Ryan Yonk exploring the rapid growth of data centers and what it means for electricity costs, infrastructure, local communities, and economic development.

Bring your questions. The event will include a live Q&A with Yonk: aier.org/event/the-data-center-boom

09/16/2026

As AIER's Julia Cartwright explains in today's Washington Post Opinions, "College is a six-figure purchase whose returns are revealed years after the sale."

Read it here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/09/16/college-rankings-dont-give-families-information-they-need

09/16/2026

See the full conversation here - https://youtu.be/hRGn5Pwv7-8

Why is housing so expensive in America? On this episode of The Economist Next Door, Paul Mueller sits down with AIER scholars Julia Cartwright and Jason Sorens to unravel the mystery behind America’s housing crisis.

They explore how supply and demand, zoning restrictions, building regulations, local “busybodies,” and federal housing policies have combined to make housing increasingly expensive. They also examine whether gentrification is really the problem, why communities often resist new development, and how restrictions on housing construction can affect everyone from renters to homeowners.

So where is the solution? Cartwright and Sorens explain why the most promising answers may not come from Washington, but from states and local communities willing to rethink how housing gets built.

09/16/2026

Data centers are booming — but they're a hot topic in the news.

What do their success actually mean for your community?

Join us on September 23 for a free virtual Harwood Salon with Ryan Yonk exploring the rapid growth of data centers and what it means for electricity costs, infrastructure, local communities, and economic development.

Bring your questions. The event will include a live Q&A with Yonk.

Data centers promise billions of dollars in investment and are becoming an increasingly important part of the economy. But their rapid growth also brings si ...

09/15/2026

Why is housing so expensive in America? On this episode of The Economist Next Door, Paul Mueller sits down with AIER scholars Julia Cartwright and Jason Sorens to unravel the mystery behind America’s housing crisis.

They explore how supply and demand, zoning restrictions, building regulations, local “busybodies,” and federal housing policies have combined to make housing increasingly expensive. They also examine whether gentrification is really the problem, why communities often resist new development, and how restrictions on housing construction can affect everyone from renters to homeowners.

So where is the solution? Cartwright and Sorens explain why the most promising answers may not come from Washington, but from states and local communities willing to rethink how housing gets built.

09/14/2026

Julia Cartwright of the American Institute for Economic Research discusses whether skipping college may be a better option after years of pro-college messaging.