Brian Albrecht
@briancalbrecht.bsky.social
Applied economic theorist: competition and information. Chief Economist @LawEconCenter Price Theory Newsletter http://pricetheory.substack.com.
Pinned
My advise on tariffs
1. Don't tax intermediate goods
2. Don't tax everything under the sun
www.ft.com/content/d950...
1. Don't tax intermediate goods
2. Don't tax everything under the sun
www.ft.com/content/d950...
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
The U.S. has enjoyed a decades-long economic advantage thanks to its reputation as the safest place in the world for investors to put their money and for entrepreneurs to build their businesses.
President Trump may be chipping away at that advantage.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b... #EconSky
President Trump may be chipping away at that advantage.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b... #EconSky
Trump’s Attacks on Institutions Threaten a Bulwark of Economic Strength
www.nytimes.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The U.S. has enjoyed a decades-long economic advantage thanks to its reputation as the safest place in the world for investors to put their money and for entrepreneurs to build their businesses.
President Trump may be chipping away at that advantage.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b... #EconSky
President Trump may be chipping away at that advantage.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b... #EconSky
Markets must become competitive. The market is a process.
This is the core (pun very much intended) idea underlying the shortcut of supply and demand. www.economicforces.xyz/p/markets-mu...
This is the core (pun very much intended) idea underlying the shortcut of supply and demand. www.economicforces.xyz/p/markets-mu...
Markets must become competitive
Only through a process do markets become competitive
www.economicforces.xyz
August 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Markets must become competitive. The market is a process.
This is the core (pun very much intended) idea underlying the shortcut of supply and demand. www.economicforces.xyz/p/markets-mu...
This is the core (pun very much intended) idea underlying the shortcut of supply and demand. www.economicforces.xyz/p/markets-mu...
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
“I have no intention of being bullied to step down from my position because of some questions raised in a tweet,” Cook said. www.bloomberg.com/news/article... Amen.
Fed’s Cook Says She Won’t Be Bullied Into Stepping Down
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook signaled her intention to remain at the central bank in defiance of calls for her resignation by President Donald Trump over allegations of mortgage fraud.
www.bloomberg.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
“I have no intention of being bullied to step down from my position because of some questions raised in a tweet,” Cook said. www.bloomberg.com/news/article... Amen.
When I think, “what countries policies should we emulate?” I definitely think The Bahamas and Sudan www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/defaul...
August 20, 2025 at 1:46 AM
When I think, “what countries policies should we emulate?” I definitely think The Bahamas and Sudan www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/defaul...
“Let me make what appears to have become a radical argument: Simple economics is surprisingly good at making real-world predictions.”
trying to break the mold with a defense of economics
www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
trying to break the mold with a defense of economics
www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
Opinion | You Can’t Break the Laws of Economics
Supply and demand invariably overcome any effort to defy or outsmart them.
www.wsj.com
August 19, 2025 at 1:50 AM
“Let me make what appears to have become a radical argument: Simple economics is surprisingly good at making real-world predictions.”
trying to break the mold with a defense of economics
www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
trying to break the mold with a defense of economics
www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
I love this article by @briancalbrecht.bsky.social in the Wall Street Journal (and not just because I am graciously mentioned by name). He provides a simple but powerful defense of Economics, of the supply and demand framework.
August 18, 2025 at 11:50 PM
I love this article by @briancalbrecht.bsky.social in the Wall Street Journal (and not just because I am graciously mentioned by name). He provides a simple but powerful defense of Economics, of the supply and demand framework.
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
August 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
Very nice blog entry by @BrianCAlbrecht
Why do economists have "tariff derangement syndrome"? It's not politics—tariffs violate every principle of good taxation we've learned over the past century.
1/8
Why do economists have "tariff derangement syndrome"? It's not politics—tariffs violate every principle of good taxation we've learned over the past century.
1/8
August 12, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Very nice blog entry by @BrianCAlbrecht
Why do economists have "tariff derangement syndrome"? It's not politics—tariffs violate every principle of good taxation we've learned over the past century.
1/8
Why do economists have "tariff derangement syndrome"? It's not politics—tariffs violate every principle of good taxation we've learned over the past century.
1/8
And in the meantime, actually add tariffs on Canada, the EU, and a bunch of other allies
Start a trade war with China. Escalate when they retaliate. Repeat until a near-embargo. Meet to agree on a 90 day pause. Get nervous about that agreement, so re-meet to re-agree to that 90 day pause. As the 90 day pause draws to a close, meet to agree to a 90 day pause.
August 9, 2025 at 8:33 PM
And in the meantime, actually add tariffs on Canada, the EU, and a bunch of other allies
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
@briancalbrecht.bsky.social strikes again with a brilliant newsletter on why tariffs are a terrible idea. Put in very simple terms. Read it!
👉🏽 www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
👉🏽 www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
6 reasons why tariffs are a terrible way to raise revenue
Some principles of taxation
www.economicforces.xyz
August 8, 2025 at 11:25 PM
@briancalbrecht.bsky.social strikes again with a brilliant newsletter on why tariffs are a terrible idea. Put in very simple terms. Read it!
👉🏽 www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
👉🏽 www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
Why do economists hate tariffs more than other taxes?
Today's newsletter is 6 reasons why tariffs are a terrible way to raise revenue
tl;dr they violate all the main results of how to raise revenue efficiently www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
Today's newsletter is 6 reasons why tariffs are a terrible way to raise revenue
tl;dr they violate all the main results of how to raise revenue efficiently www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
6 reasons why tariffs are a terrible way to raise revenue
Some principles of taxation
www.economicforces.xyz
August 7, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Why do economists hate tariffs more than other taxes?
Today's newsletter is 6 reasons why tariffs are a terrible way to raise revenue
tl;dr they violate all the main results of how to raise revenue efficiently www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
Today's newsletter is 6 reasons why tariffs are a terrible way to raise revenue
tl;dr they violate all the main results of how to raise revenue efficiently www.economicforces.xyz/p/6-reasons-...
Uber is good, actually. From @mattyglesias.bsky.social www.slowboring.com/p/uber-is-go...
Ride-sharing apps are good, actually
The real "cautionary tale" is that the old taxi cartels were bad
www.slowboring.com
August 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Uber is good, actually. From @mattyglesias.bsky.social www.slowboring.com/p/uber-is-go...
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
Another excellent newsletter by @briancalbrecht.bsky.social on whether tariffs are likely to increase innovation, with lots of top references from empirical research (from @rjuhasz.bsky.social , David Autor, Nick Bloom, @johnvanreenen.bsky.social & others)
🔗 www.economicforces.xyz/p/will-tarif...
🔗 www.economicforces.xyz/p/will-tarif...
Will tariffs spur innovation?
Research suggests not.
www.economicforces.xyz
June 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Another excellent newsletter by @briancalbrecht.bsky.social on whether tariffs are likely to increase innovation, with lots of top references from empirical research (from @rjuhasz.bsky.social , David Autor, Nick Bloom, @johnvanreenen.bsky.social & others)
🔗 www.economicforces.xyz/p/will-tarif...
🔗 www.economicforces.xyz/p/will-tarif...
Economics has core insights that get ignored by politicians.
The most fundamental?
A price isn't just a number—it's a signal wrapped in an incentive.
But why do policymakers need to know this?
www.economicforces.xyz/p/prices-are...
The most fundamental?
A price isn't just a number—it's a signal wrapped in an incentive.
But why do policymakers need to know this?
www.economicforces.xyz/p/prices-are...
Prices are signals (and politicians keep shooting the messenger)
Economic policy insight #1: A price is a signal wrapped in an incentive.
www.economicforces.xyz
March 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Economics has core insights that get ignored by politicians.
The most fundamental?
A price isn't just a number—it's a signal wrapped in an incentive.
But why do policymakers need to know this?
www.economicforces.xyz/p/prices-are...
The most fundamental?
A price isn't just a number—it's a signal wrapped in an incentive.
But why do policymakers need to know this?
www.economicforces.xyz/p/prices-are...
I'm once again asking people to read what I actually wrote www.economicforces.xyz/p/congestion...
January 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I'm once again asking people to read what I actually wrote www.economicforces.xyz/p/congestion...
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
Tons of food for thought in this great article by @bencasselman.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/b...
Economists Are in the Wilderness. Can They Find a Way Back to Influence?
Economists have long helped to shape policy on issues like taxes and health care. But flawed forecasts and arcane language have cost them credibility.
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Tons of food for thought in this great article by @bencasselman.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/b...
Raising the price of driving reduces driving. NYC's congestion pricing is clearly another W for economic theory. (Many such cases.)
But is it a good policy?
After all, less driving isn’t the goal. I walk through how to think about the costs & benefits www.economicforces.xyz/p/congestion...
But is it a good policy?
After all, less driving isn’t the goal. I walk through how to think about the costs & benefits www.economicforces.xyz/p/congestion...
Congestion pricing reduces driving. That doesn't make it a good idea.
I'll take the win for supply and demand. But is it a good policy?
www.economicforces.xyz
January 9, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Raising the price of driving reduces driving. NYC's congestion pricing is clearly another W for economic theory. (Many such cases.)
But is it a good policy?
After all, less driving isn’t the goal. I walk through how to think about the costs & benefits www.economicforces.xyz/p/congestion...
But is it a good policy?
After all, less driving isn’t the goal. I walk through how to think about the costs & benefits www.economicforces.xyz/p/congestion...
When you buy a product, you pay twice:
1. Money to the company
2. Time to actually use it
Most economics ignores #2.
With Tom Phelan and Nick Pretnar, we show how this consumer time use changes markups, firm entry, and efficiency. 🧵 www.briancalbrecht.com/Albrecht_Phe...
1. Money to the company
2. Time to actually use it
Most economics ignores #2.
With Tom Phelan and Nick Pretnar, we show how this consumer time use changes markups, firm entry, and efficiency. 🧵 www.briancalbrecht.com/Albrecht_Phe...
January 8, 2025 at 5:57 PM
When you buy a product, you pay twice:
1. Money to the company
2. Time to actually use it
Most economics ignores #2.
With Tom Phelan and Nick Pretnar, we show how this consumer time use changes markups, firm entry, and efficiency. 🧵 www.briancalbrecht.com/Albrecht_Phe...
1. Money to the company
2. Time to actually use it
Most economics ignores #2.
With Tom Phelan and Nick Pretnar, we show how this consumer time use changes markups, firm entry, and efficiency. 🧵 www.briancalbrecht.com/Albrecht_Phe...
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
eg, Bhattachara, et al (2023). Even in concentrated markets (HHI>2000), 25% yield lower prices, 25% higher ones, and 50% no real change. In this concentration range, supports inference that roughly 75% produce cost reductions sufficient to reverse price effects. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
January 7, 2025 at 8:35 AM
eg, Bhattachara, et al (2023). Even in concentrated markets (HHI>2000), 25% yield lower prices, 25% higher ones, and 50% no real change. In this concentration range, supports inference that roughly 75% produce cost reductions sufficient to reverse price effects. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Our new post on labor markets and antitrust. Lots of putting the cart before the horse in this field
The push for aggressive labor antitrust enforcement is growing, but is it backed by solid evidence? At Truth on the Market, @briancalbrecht.bsky.social and I argue that the case for expanded labor antitrust is (at least so far) weaker than proponents claim. 🧵
December 19, 2024 at 3:47 AM
Our new post on labor markets and antitrust. Lots of putting the cart before the horse in this field
There's never been a better time to study the "market process," as Austrian economists call it.
@jchaltiwangerum.bsky.social, his coauthors, and a whole slew of others have developed data and theory.
It's just called business dynamism, not market process. www.economicforces.xyz/p/mr-haltiwa...
@jchaltiwangerum.bsky.social, his coauthors, and a whole slew of others have developed data and theory.
It's just called business dynamism, not market process. www.economicforces.xyz/p/mr-haltiwa...
Mr. Haltiwanger and the Austrians
Combining theory and empirics around market dynamics
www.economicforces.xyz
December 12, 2024 at 3:10 PM
There's never been a better time to study the "market process," as Austrian economists call it.
@jchaltiwangerum.bsky.social, his coauthors, and a whole slew of others have developed data and theory.
It's just called business dynamism, not market process. www.economicforces.xyz/p/mr-haltiwa...
@jchaltiwangerum.bsky.social, his coauthors, and a whole slew of others have developed data and theory.
It's just called business dynamism, not market process. www.economicforces.xyz/p/mr-haltiwa...
Reposted by Brian Albrecht
The C&S divestiture was always a key part of whether this deal would go through. If Kroger really just ignored concerns, that's not a good strategy.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
December 11, 2024 at 3:37 PM
The C&S divestiture was always a key part of whether this deal would go through. If Kroger really just ignored concerns, that's not a good strategy.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...