Research


Abstract

In this piece, I review Thomas Piketty's book. First, I briefly present its content, while in particular I try to highlight what can be especially interesting to a Polish reader. Moreover, I situate the book in the context of the previous book of the author, i.e. "Capital in the Twenty-First Century", as well as of the discussion and critique which it has met. Finally, I shortly assess the book.



Abstract

Here, I reply to the comment on my original article by Mateusz Machaj. Contrary to his assertions, I try to show that in the actual practise of doing economics, the language with which an economic theory is expressed has tremendous implications for the content of the theory itself.




Abstract

The paper compares the methodologies of the Austrian school of economics (ASE) and mainstream economics (ME) with the purpose of answering whether the theory of the ASE has any value, and if that is the case, whether it can be considered a serious alternative to ME. The main tenets of the ASE’s methodology are consecutively examined vis-à-vis their adequacy in ME methodology, with a focus on the actual doing of economics rather than on mere methodological declarations. The analysis suggests that both approaches are in practice quite similar, with the exception of their disparate attitudes towards the use of mathematics in economics, especially in theorizing. In particular, Mises’s and Rothbard’s stances on mathematics in economics are scrutinized. The conclusion is that, given the ASE’s rejection(s) of the use of mathematics, its theory is scientifically inferior to that of ME.


 

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of different factors on crime by OLS estimating parameters of a simple linear regression model of the murder rate in the cross section of USA's states in 2009. Results suggest that demographic variables play an important role in explaining this phenomenon, as well as the probability of execution given murder and income inequality via its nonmonotonic influence, with the Gini coefficient value of about 0.43 that minimizes murder rates. Moreover, contrary to popular beliefs, poverty and unemployment rates don’t contribute to this criminal statistic.