Markets. 3 essays and 2 notes.

Yes markets make people more outward looking, trusting, and tolerant, but:

All this sounds pretty good for the Montesquieus of the world. But the researchers had another result. Greater market access did seem to weaken family-based co-operation, lowering the share of vulnerable people including orphans, people with disabilities and the elderly being looked after by relatives at home.

So if you were looking for a simple answer, sorry. The study supports both sides’ view of markets — they make it easier to co-operate with strangers but potentially weaken ties closer to home. Think of the Marmite not as delicious nor disgusting, but as a complex mix of flavours reorienting your taste buds.

The way precious metals like gold, silver, palladium etc are trading is unreal. I have small gold and silver positions and the I haven’t seen things move the way they have in the last 3-4 since COVID. Robin Brooks thinks precious metals are rising because of fears of debasement.