Is Regulatory Uncertainty a Major Impediment to Job Growth?

Considerable debate focuses on the impact of regulation on economic growth. Government opponents suggest that even “proposed regulations” create uncertainty and keep businesses from investing. Other critics say that current regulation is excessive and that its weight keeps companies from hiring new workers. If these concerns were valid, activity in one or more economic areas would show these symptoms. Investments or profits would drop. You’d see less investment in companies (or countries) with evolving regulations than in those with stable rules. If regulations were hampering businesses, “business owners and economists” would...