Background
Thornton, Mark Christopher was born on June 7, 1960 in Geneva, New York, United States. Son of Carroll Francis and Constance Katherine (Ryan) Thornton.
(It is conventional wisdom that alcohol prohibition failed...)
It is conventional wisdom that alcohol prohibition failed, but the economic reasons for this failure have never been as extensively detailed or analyzed as they are in this study by Mark Thornton. The lessons he draws apply not only to the period of alcohol prohibition but also to drug prohibition and any other government attempt to control consumption habits. The same pattern is repeated again and again. Thornton's treatment of the topic is methodical. He first examines the history of prohibition laws, primarily focusing on American implementation of prohibitionist policies. He examines the prime movers in the alcohol, narcotics, and marijuana prohibition movements. He then examines the theoretical premises upon which prohibition advocates depend, and thoroughly exposes them as fallacious. After examining the history and theory of prohibition, Thornton reveals the effects of such policies on the potency of illegal drugs. He explains how prohibition inevitably creates incentives for producers to increase the potency of drugs and alcohol products distributed via the black market. Also investigated in this book are the effects of prohibition policies on crime rates and government corruption rates. Finally, Thornton discusses the repeal of prohibition, offering both public policy alternatives and truly free-market solutions. According to Murray N. Rothbard, "Thornton's book... arrives to fill an enormous gap, and it does so splendidly... The drug prohibition question is... the hottest political topic today, and for the foreseeable future... This is an excellent work making an important contribution to scholarship as well as to the public policy debate."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1610160479/?tag=2022091-20
(What role did economics play in leading the United States...)
What role did economics play in leading the United States into the Civil War in the 1860s, and how did the war affect the economies of the North and the South? Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation uses contemporary economic analyses such as supply and demand, modern market theory, and the economics of politics to interpret events of the Civil War. Simplifying the sometimes complex intricacies of the subject matter, Thornton and Ekelund have penned a nontechnical primer that is jargon-free and accessible. Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation also takes a comprehensive approach to its topic. It offers a cohesive and a persuasive explanation of the how, what, and why behind the many factors at work on both sides of the contest. While most books only delve into a particular aspect of the war, this title effectively bridges the gap by offering an all-encompassing, yet relatively brief, introduction to the essential economics of the Civil War. This book starts out with a look at the reasons for the beginning of the Civil War, including explaining why the war began when it did. It then examines the economic realities in both the North and South. Also covered are the different financial strategies implemented by both the Union and the Confederacy to fund the war and the reasons behind what ultimately led to Southern defeat. Finally, the economic effect of Reconstruction is discussed, including the impact it had on the former slave population. Thornton and Ekelund have contributed an overdue examination of the Civil War that will impart to students a modern way to better comprehend the conflict. Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation offers fresh, penetrating insights into this pivotal event in American history.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0842029613/?tag=2022091-20
Thornton, Mark Christopher was born on June 7, 1960 in Geneva, New York, United States. Son of Carroll Francis and Constance Katherine (Ryan) Thornton.
Bachelor of Science in Economics, St. Bonaventure University, Olean, New York, 1982. Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, Auburn (Alabama) University, 1989.
He has written on the topic of prohibition of drugs, the economics of the American Civil War, and the "Skyscraper Index". He is a Senior Fellow with the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Alabama and a Research Fellow with the Independent Institute. Thornton taught economics at Auburn University.
He has written about prohibition-related issues.
Prohibition studies
Thornton"s first book, The Economics of Prohibition, was praised by Thornton"s supervisor at the Mises Institute, its vice-president Murray Rothbard, who is quoted on the book cover of the 2007 edition as writing: "Thornton"s book. arrives to fill an enormous gap, and it does so splendidly..This is an excellent work making an important contribution to scholarship as well as to the public policy debate." Reviewer David R. Henderson of the Hoover Institution wrote, "Thornton’s book contains much valuable information on prohibition and cites many sources. But the economically literate book on prohibition that makes a case for legalization has yet to be written."
Libertarian organizations have published Thornton"s articles on drug and alcohol prohibition, and he was once interviewed on the topic of prohibition by Agence France-Presse.
Thornton contributed a chapter to Jefferson Fish"s book How to Legalize Drugs. Thornton ran for United States. Congress in 1984.
Thornton has been the vice chairman and chairman of the Libertarian Party of Alabama.
In 1988, he became the first Libertarian Party office-holder in Alabama when he was elected Constable, a local law-enforcement position. He was the Libertarian Party"s Candidate for the United States. Senate in 1996. He was also endorsed by the Reform Party, and came in third of four candidates.
(What role did economics play in leading the United States...)
(It is conventional wisdom that alcohol prohibition failed...)
He formerly taught at Columbus State University and is now a Senior Fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, where he is book review editor for its Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics.
Constable District 79 Lee County, Alabama, since 1988. District representative Alabama Libertarian Party, 1983-1985, finance chairman, 1987-1989, vice chairman, 1985-1986, chairman, 1996. United States congressional candidate 3d District, 1984.
United States senate candidate, Alabama, 1996.