This question of whether government should mandate a higher minimum wage is not a new one, says Curt Biren in this week’s Acton Commentary. In fact, es up in ancient Jewish texts — related to property rights, labor law and charity law: Economists have studied the idea, but they often disagree on its impact. Some can cite statistics that purportedly show that there is no marked decline in employment. Others have data to prove that the imposition of higher minimum...

On SundayPope Franciswill declare Blessed Teresa of Kolkata — Mother Teresa — a saint at a canonization service tobe held in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Here are five facts you should know about the nun who became renownedfor serving the poor: 1.Mother Teresa was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910 in what is now part of modern Macedonia. At the age of 18 she left home to join the Sisters of Loreto, a group of nuns...

Is it possible to be both a Christian and a libertarian? In a ing book, Called to Freedom: Why You Can Be Christian & Libertarian, six Christian libertarians offer an emphatic, “yes,” exploring key tensions and challenging a mon critiques (whether from conservative Christians or secularlibertarians). The project is currently seeking funds via Indiegogo, where you can donate or pre-order your copy. Having already discussed the topic on numerous occasions with two of the book’s authors – Jacqueline Isaacs and...

Acton Institute Director of Programs Paul Bonicelli walked a few blocks down the road here in Grand Rapids, Michigan this morning for an in-studio interview with host Justin Barclay on WOOD Radio’s West Michigan Live. Paul is a recent addition to Acton’s staff and does a fine job of introducing himself, and also provides a preview of Acton’s ing fall events calendar. You can listen to the full interview via the audio player below. ...

Economic Growth in the U.S. has slowed pared to historical averages according to recent reports from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Some are claiming that this is okay and that it is “normal” while there are others who disagree and understand that economic growth is essential to a prospering society. This division among people on how they view economic growth also represents a division among the two major political parties on how they view economic growth. Director of Research here...

Series Note: Jobs are one of the most important aspects of a morally functioning economy. They help us serve the needs of our neighbors and lead to human flourishing both for the individual and munities. Conversely, not having a job can adversely affect spiritual and psychological well-being of individuals and families. Because unemployment is a spiritual problem, Christians in America need to understand and be aware of the monthly data on employment. Each month highlight the latest numbers we need...

Sold into slavery, Joseph is put in charge of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar “entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph” (Genesis 39:4-5 [NIV]).You may not recognize it, but this is one of the first mentions of both stewardship and economy in Scripture. The word es from the Greek word oikonomia, which refers to...

Many view Labor Day as a celebration of all forms of work. The origins of the e from the labor union movement, which for some is not so laudable. This leads some free-market advocates to refer instead to “Capital Day.” One might be tempted to respond as parents often do when kids ask why there is a separate Father’s or Mother’s Day but no “Kid’s Day.” The answer: Every day is Kid’s Day. Perhaps every day is Capital Day and...

On Sunday, Mother Teresa of Calcutta became St. Teresa (though Pope Francis said, “We will continue to call her Mother Teresa.”). Mother Teresa was the 29th saint canonized by Pope Francis during his three-year pontificate. While 29 may sound like a lot, Francis’s per-year average (9.7) is just slightly more than Pope Benedict’s pace (6.4 a year) and much, much slower than Pope John Paul II, who averaged 18.2 a year. Still, the increase in the rate of saint-making means...

Note: This is the thirdin a series examining the positions of several minorparty and independent presidential candidates onissues covered by the Acton Institute. A previous series covered the Democratic Party platform (see here and here) and the Republican Party Platform (see here and here). Although minor parties —often called “third parties” to distinguish them from the dominant two — have always been a part of American politics, the dissatisfaction with the Republican and Democratic parties in the current election season...