About Shawn Ritenour

Dr. Shawn Ritenour is a professor of economics at Grove City College, contributor to the Institute for Faith and Freedom and author of "Foundations of Economics: A Christian View."

Who Spends Wisest?

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com.The financial and economic meltdown of 2008 was preceded by large increases in government spending and monetary inflation that artificially lowered interest rates. Those interventionist policies fueled massive capital malinvestment, including housing and credit bubbles, all of … Continue reading

The Tale of the Hitchhiker’s Recovery

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com. In light of claims that we’ve been in an economic recovery since late 2009, news such as the unemployment rate bumping up to 8.3 percent is disconcerting. Our so-called “recovery” … Continue reading

What’s In a Recovery?

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com.Thomson Reuters’ latest survey of Wall Street analysts’ expectations about next quarter’s corporate earnings has prompted some to wonder whether the canary in the coal mine is beginning to feel lightheaded. … Continue reading

What Would Jesus Cut?

That is the question asked by the left-leaning Christian organization, Sojourners, in its campaign of the same name. It is a most appropriate question given the battle over the budget and given this time of year, not long after the … Continue reading

The Lessons of Japan

Since Fed chairman Ben Bernanke announced his plan for the Federal Reserve to inflate (I’m sorry, “quantitatively ease”) commercial bank reserves by $600 billion, he has come under surprising, but understandable, criticism. So much so that he has felt compelled … Continue reading

Stop the Bailout!

When facing a major financial problem, it is not uncommon to face the temptation to do something foolish at best or something evil at worst. Our elected officials and un-elected monetary and financial authorities are on the brink of doing … Continue reading