Podcasts about what has government done

Kinsella on Liberty Podcast, Episode 476. Alex Anarcho has begun a narration of Against Intellectual Property, with interspersed commentary. (I appeared on his podcast previously; see KOL444 | Property Rights, Bitcoin, Ideas & Fungibility, with AlexAnarcho.) He has so far narrated the first two sections, the first of which, "Summary of IP Law," is in this episode. "Libertarian Perspectives on IP" follows in the next episode (KOKL477). I have posted a Youtube video containing both parts. Alex assures me that narrations with commentary of the remainder of the book are forthcoming. These can be found in his Against Intellectual Property series, which includes Part I, What is intellectual property? (this episode), and Part 2, Libertarian Perspectives on IP (KOKL477). Previous audio versions of AIP include KOL008 | Against Intellectual Property (audiobook) and KOL373 | Against Intellectual Property (audiobook #2). See other audio versions of my work here. Related: “The Problem with Intellectual Property" A Selection of my Best Articles and Speeches on IP The Overwhelming Empirical Case Against Patent and Copyright Defamation as a Type of Intellectual Property Transcript, with added comments and links, below. https://youtu.be/KmZ85ebk2SI Transcript (All endnotes and comments in [brackets] are my annotations. —SK) 0:04 Alex Anarcho: Hey, thanks for tuning in to the Alex Anarco podcast. In this episode and the episodes to follow, I will return to my roots, namely reading books from great libertarian philosophers. When I started the podcast, I was reading The Anatomy of the State by Rothbard, The Ethics of Liberty by Rothbard, What Has Government Done to Our Money by Rothbard, and The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand. Then I did a bunch of episodes that were not based on books, but where I was giving my thoughts and having conversations with other like-minded people. But now I think it's time to read yet another book. This book has been very influential in my own thinking about the libertarian philosophy and I think it's a must-read for all who call themselves libertarian or anarchists because it really covers an issue that has not gotten so much attention in the libertarian canon. There is a lot of thought that was spent on political philosophy such as The Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard. But this book is kind of a hidden gem. So if you have never heard of it, I think it's a great read or for you I guess a great listen and something you definitely should be aware of. The arguments presented are very strong and they need to be grappled with. For me personally, it was very influential, like I said, and it has significantly changed how I view the world, most specifically the world of software. For anybody who has been aware of my podcast, I'm a very big fan of the cypherpunk ethos that aims to change the world through creating technologies that are unstoppable that allow individuals who use them to become sovereign. And I think yeah the backbone for all of this philosophy is also somewhat rooted in the arguments that are put forth in this book or at least they are heavily backed up by the arguments. So what is the book? The book is called Against Intellectual Property by Stephan Kinsella as you may have gleaned from the title of this podcast. And Stephan has actually been on this podcast before. I will link in the show notes the episode I did with him. And for a long time I've wanted to read this book to my audience and discuss the ideas put forth in it. So far I didn't get around to it and now I think is better than never. So we will read Against Intellectual Property. We will discuss the ideas and as with any of my episodes, if you want to chime into the conversation, you can go to my website, alexanarcho.live or if you want to reward me for making this content, you can go to xmrchat.com/alexanarco and leave a little tip with Monero XMR. It would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you helped fund this episode, then you are eligible to join a secret Discord, a secret Matrix society on the Matrix messenger. For this you have to go to my website and claim your transaction. And when claiming the transaction in the form, you simply provide your Matrix username and this will yeah the bot will send you an invite then to the group. Let's dive in Against Intellectual Property. AIP: Property rights: tangible and intangible. All libertarians favor property rights and agree that property rights include rights in tangible resources. These resources include immovable immovables (realty) such as land and houses, and movables such as chairs, clubs, cars, and clocks. 4:18 Alex Anarcho: So I think this is a brilliant distinction and the word tangible may be somewhat foreign but it means exactly what was described here. Basically in my mind it's things that you can touch. So I can walk up to a house and touch the house. I can walk up to a chair and touch the chair. And so things that exist in the real world. (( Note from Kinsella: See “Against Intellectual Property After Twenty Years: Looking Back and Looking Forward,” n.30: "In AIP I sometimes used the term “tangible” to indicate scarce resources that can be subject to property rights. (I've also sometimes used the term corporeal, a civil-law term.) Hardy Bouillon argues that it might be more precise to focus on the difference between material vs. non-material goods, rather than tangible vs. non-tangible goods, as the touchstone of things subject to property rights." )) And for those things, libertarian philosophy puts forth the idea of property rights that these tangible commodities, tangible goods can have a rightful owner. And yeah, I think this is something that we'll come back to every now and again that this is pretty a clear-cut issue and there is not a lot of discussion on this. Basically, from John Locke on the idea of being able to homestead land is very deeply interwoven in libertarian philosophy. AIP: Further, all libertarians support rights in one's own body. Such rights may be called self-ownership as long as one keeps in mind that there is dispute about whether such body-ownership is alienable in the same way that rights in homesteadable external objects are alienable. 5:48 Alex Anarcho: So alienable means you can kind of outsource them or give them away to somebody else. And I think what he's referring to here is the discussion that for example Walter Block and Murray Rothbard have had—I mean Rothbard has passed away—but the idea can you sell yourself into slavery and for this I will actually read the footnote which reads: AIP: Debate over this issue manifests itself in differences over the issue of inalienability and with respect to the law of contract, i.e., can we sell or alienate our bodies in the same manner that we can alienate title to homesteaded property? For arguments against body inalienability, see Stephan Kinsella, “A Theory of Contracts: Binding Promises, Title Transfers, and Inalienability.” So for example, as I understand it, Rothbard says that you cannot sell yourself into slavery. Like your will is inalienable and therefore you cannot like in perpetuity sell your will to your own body. And Walter Block is of a different opinion as I understand it and say well yes you can do that. (( A Libertarian Theory of Contract: Title Transfer, Binding Promises, and Inalienability, in  Legal Foundations of a Free Society [LFFS]; KOL442 | Together Strong Debate vs. Walter Block on Voluntary Slavery (Matthew Sands of Nations of Sanity). )) So there is some dispute in that regard but I guess the common ground is that we do agree that we own our own body. (( See How We Come To Own Ourselves, in LFFS. )) Yeah. So this is the most immediate thing that we have in the world. If we think back to in The Ethics of Liberty, Rothbard explains the scenario of Robinson Crusoe being stranded on his deserted island and the immediate reality he's faced with is the possession and property of his own body that like he can control his own body and he kind of also has to sustain his body in order to keep on living. AIP: In any event, libertarians universally hold that all tangible scarce resources—whether homesteadable or created, immovable or movable, or our very bodies—are subject to rightful control (or ownership) by specified individuals. 8:29 Alex Anarcho: Yeah. So, we'll not get lost in the discussion of can you sell yourself into slavery for this episode, but we'll just surf on the wave of agreement in libertarian circles that yes you can have these property rights in tangible scarce resources. And I think with texts like these is really really important to measure every word. So tangible means things you can touch and scarce means that there is a limited amount of them. (( But see, on scarcity meaning either "lack of abundance," on the one hand, or "not superabundant," on the other, On Property Rights in Superabundant Bananas and Property Rights as Normative Support for Possession; “Good Ideas is Pretty Scarce”; KOL337 | Join the Wasabikas Ep. 15.0: You Don't Own Bitcoin—Property Rights, Praxeology and the Foundations of Private Law, with Max Hillebrand; KOL176 | “Rethinking Intellectual Property: History, Theory, and Economics: Lecture 5: Property, Scarcity and Ideas; Examining Rights-Based Arguments for IP” (Mises Academy, 2011); Objectivists Hsieh and Perkins on IP and Pirating Music; “On Conflictability and Conflictable Resources.” )) And the whole idea of property rights is because of the scarcity aspect. If things were abundant and you could have like press a magic button and things would just appear out of thin air, property rights wouldn't really make a whole lot of sense. The purpose of property rights is to reduce conflict that we can have over these scarce resources. Namely, well, can I sleep in this particular bed or is that your bed to sleep in? So,

تاریخ انتشار: 6 آبان 1404 تو این قسمت کتاب صوتی "دولت با پول ما چه کرده است؟" نوشته موری راثبارد رو گوش کنید منبع: کتاب What Has Government Done to Our Money نوشته Murray N. Rothbard

Bob takes on a proposal for New York City to run its own grocery stores, dismantling the historical myths, economic fallacies, and rhetorical tricks behind the idea. From Flint's water crisis to “food deserts,” he explains why government control will create shortages, low-quality food, and wasted resources.The Jacobin Article, "Municipal Grocery Stores Are Sensible and Obvious": Mises.org/HAP512aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob takes on a proposal for New York City to run its own grocery stores, dismantling the historical myths, economic fallacies, and rhetorical tricks behind the idea. From Flint's water crisis to “food deserts,” he explains why government control will create shortages, low-quality food, and wasted resources.The Jacobin Article, "Municipal Grocery Stores Are Sensible and Obvious": Mises.org/HAP512aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob and Jonathan Newman respond in detail to Richard Werner's highly discussed interview with Tucker Carlson. They examine Werner's claims about credit creation theory, fractional reserve banking, and money mechanics. Murphy and Newman also discuss Werner's recommendations for banking reform, highlighting differences with Mises's monetary insights and Austrian business cycle theory.The Tucker Carlson Show Episode with Richard Werner: Mises.org/HAP511aPlaying with Fire: Money, Banking, and the Federal Reserve: Mises.org/HAP511bBob's "Anatomy of the Fed" Mises Academy Course: Mises.org/HAP511cThe Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago "Modern Money Mechanics" Workbook: Mises.org/HAP511dBob's Book, Understanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP511eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob and Jonathan Newman respond in detail to Richard Werner's highly discussed interview with Tucker Carlson. They examine Werner's claims about credit creation theory, fractional reserve banking, and money mechanics. Murphy and Newman also discuss Werner's recommendations for banking reform, highlighting differences with Mises's monetary insights and Austrian business cycle theory.The Tucker Carlson Show Episode with Richard Werner: Mises.org/HAP511aPlaying with Fire: Money, Banking, and the Federal Reserve: Mises.org/HAP511bBob's "Anatomy of the Fed" Mises Academy Course: Mises.org/HAP511cThe Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago "Modern Money Mechanics" Workbook: Mises.org/HAP511dBob's Book, Understanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP511eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

This week on the Family Meeting, Krista was joined by Kevin Briggins and Dr. Jeff Degner from Cornerstone University. We reacted to a recent social media post on the CFBU Facebook page where commenters were talking about blending Christianity with socialism—can they coexist? Dr. Degner, an expert in economics from the Mises Institute, unpacks a few of the theological and economic flaws of socialism, drawing from Genesis 1:27-28 to highlight its conflict with biblical principles like private property and human nature. We also talked about the current administration's tariff policies, minimum wage and inflation from a biblical point of view.

Recorded live at the 2025 Mises University, Bob talks to PhD student Jason Priddle to understand the Genius Act—a landmark piece of legislation aimed at regulating stablecoins. They examine the broader implications of the Genius Act for monetary stability, fractional reserve banking, and the future of financial privacy.Understanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP510aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Recorded live at the 2025 Mises University, Bob talks to PhD student Jason Priddle to understand the Genius Act—a landmark piece of legislation aimed at regulating stablecoins. They examine the broader implications of the Genius Act for monetary stability, fractional reserve banking, and the future of financial privacy.Understanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP510aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

This week, Bob returns to the topic of how the United States could practically abolish the Federal Reserve and transition to a stable monetary system backed by gold. He clarifies common misconceptions about the consequences of ending the Fed, provides historical context for America's monetary systems, and lays out a realistic path forward for monetary reform.Bob's Mises Article, "Putting the Country Back on Gold": Mises.org/HAP509aUnderstanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP509bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

This week, Bob returns to the topic of how the United States could practically abolish the Federal Reserve and transition to a stable monetary system backed by gold. He clarifies common misconceptions about the consequences of ending the Fed, provides historical context for America's monetary systems, and lays out a realistic path forward for monetary reform.Bob's Mises Article, "Putting the Country Back on Gold": Mises.org/HAP509aUnderstanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP509bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

When President Trump declared the Epstein case closed, many of his supporters in MAGA objected, believing that the government is still hiding the truth. But Trump opponents claim that MAGA is a monolithic movement beholden only to Trump. This incident tells us something else.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/split-over-epstein-tells-us-something-important-about-maga-movementThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

Bob goes solo to make a comprehensive case for abolishing the Federal Reserve and explains what life afterward would look like. He dives into the Fed's marked history, its questionable track record, and the secrecy surrounding its creation and ongoing operations. Bob also outlines a practical, step-by-step approach for transitioning away from the Fed, returning monetary control to a gold standard, and restoring economic stability and transparency.Bob's Recent ZeroHedge Debate,"Should We End the Fed?": Mises.org/HAP508aUnderstanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP508bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob goes solo to make a comprehensive case for abolishing the Federal Reserve and explains what life afterward would look like. He dives into the Fed's marked history, its questionable track record, and the secrecy surrounding its creation and ongoing operations. Bob also outlines a practical, step-by-step approach for transitioning away from the Fed, returning monetary control to a gold standard, and restoring economic stability and transparency.Bob's Recent ZeroHedge Debate,"Should We End the Fed?": Mises.org/HAP508aUnderstanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP508bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

As the Texas floodwaters receded, politicians like Chuck Schumer twisted facts about the tragedy to score a political win. Examining what went wrong to prevent such tragedies from happening again is the right thing to do. But that involves looking at the actual facts.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/texas-floods-and-political-opportunismThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

This week, Bob talks with economist and Mises Institute research fellow, David Howden, co-editor of The Next Generation of Austrian Economics: Essays in Honor of Joe Salerno. They discuss key chapters from the book, highlighting significant contributions from up-and-coming Austrian economists in areas such as monopoly pricing, international economics, and monetary theory. The Next Generation of Austrian Economics: Essays in Honor of Joseph T. Salerno: Mises.org/HAP507aDavid Gordon's Review of the Book in The Austrian: Mises.org/HAP507bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

This week, Bob talks with economist and Mises Institute research fellow, David Howden, co-editor of The Next Generation of Austrian Economics: Essays in Honor of Joe Salerno. They discuss key chapters from the book, highlighting significant contributions from up-and-coming Austrian economists in areas such as monopoly pricing, international economics, and monetary theory. The Next Generation of Austrian Economics: Essays in Honor of Joseph T. Salerno: Mises.org/HAP507aDavid Gordon's Review of the Book in The Austrian: Mises.org/HAP507bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

The democratic establishment is upset that socialist Zohran Mamdani beat their candidate, Andrew Cuomo, in New York City's mayoral primary. But the blame for socialism's rising popularity lies mostly on their own shoulders.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/establishment-democrats-created-conditions-socialist-victoryThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

Bob hosts Steve Hanke, Distinguished Senior Scholar at the Mises Institute and Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, to discuss his research on hyperinflations, currency board solutions, and the economic effects of the COVID lockdowns. Hanke explains the findings of his meta-analysis of lockdown impact and explains why Sweden's laissez-faire approach was vindicated. He also draws from decades of experience stopping hyperinflation globally, advocating currency boards and gold-backed solutions as effective alternatives to central banks.Follow Professor Hanke on X --- @Steve_HankeProfessor Hanke's Austrian Economics Research Conference Lecture: Mises.org/HAP506aProfessor Hanke's IEA Article, "Did Lockdowns Work? The Verdict on COVID Restrictions": Mises.org/HAP506bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob hosts Steve Hanke, Distinguished Senior Scholar at the Mises Institute and Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, to discuss his research on hyperinflations, currency board solutions, and the economic effects of the COVID lockdowns. Hanke explains the findings of his meta-analysis of lockdown impact and explains why Sweden's laissez-faire approach was vindicated. He also draws from decades of experience stopping hyperinflation globally, advocating currency boards and gold-backed solutions as effective alternatives to central banks.Follow Professor Hanke on X --- @Steve_HankeProfessor Hanke's Austrian Economics Research Conference Lecture: Mises.org/HAP506aProfessor Hanke's IEA Article, "Did Lockdowns Work? The Verdict on COVID Restrictions": Mises.org/HAP506bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Although it may not have ultimately ended how they wished, the strikes on Iran demonstrated that neoconservatives are still a viable force within the GOP. But that shouldn't discourage us. Ending endless wars isn't easy, but it is worthwhile.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/dismantling-warfare-state-was-never-going-be-easyThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

Bob is joined by author George Ford Smith for a detailed examination into the life and legacy of Thomas Paine. They discuss how Paine's writings, especially Common Sense and the American Crisis essays, mustered colonial support for independence and even influenced the outcome of the Revolutionary War. Smith explains Paine's life, from early setbacks and struggles in England to becoming a pivotal figure in America's founding, and why his views ultimately sidelined his historical reputation.George's Mises Wire Article, "The Failure to Stop Thomas Paine": Mises.org/HAP505aGeorge's Mises Wire Article, "Thomas Paine, Liberty's Hated Torchbearer": Mises.org/HAP505bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob is joined by author George Ford Smith for a detailed examination into the life and legacy of Thomas Paine. They discuss how Paine's writings, especially Common Sense and the American Crisis essays, mustered colonial support for independence and even influenced the outcome of the Revolutionary War. Smith explains Paine's life, from early setbacks and struggles in England to becoming a pivotal figure in America's founding, and why his views ultimately sidelined his historical reputation.George's Mises Wire Article, "The Failure to Stop Thomas Paine": Mises.org/HAP505aGeorge's Mises Wire Article, "Thomas Paine, Liberty's Hated Torchbearer": Mises.org/HAP505bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

The United States is dangerously close to entering yet another war in the Middle East. But this one has the potential to be a lot costlier for the American people while remaining just as unlikely to bring about peace and stability in the region. Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/war-iran-not-interest-american-peopleThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

Bob hosts economist Daniel Lacalle to analyze the controversial Big Beautiful Bill. Daniel explains why, despite its imperfections, the bill represents a vital first step toward curbing government spending and protecting private-sector prosperity from excessive state intervention.Daniel's Article, "The Big Beautiful Bill Is Much Better Than You Think": Mises.org/HAP504aThomas Massie's X Exchange on the Hidden Costs of the BBB: Mises.org/HAP504bBob's Recent Blog Post on the BBB: Mises.org/HAP504cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob hosts economist Daniel Lacalle to analyze the controversial Big Beautiful Bill. Daniel explains why, despite its imperfections, the bill represents a vital first step toward curbing government spending and protecting private-sector prosperity from excessive state intervention.Daniel's Article, "The Big Beautiful Bill Is Much Better Than You Think": Mises.org/HAP504aThomas Massie's X Exchange on the Hidden Costs of the BBB: Mises.org/HAP504bBob's Recent Blog Post on the BBB: Mises.org/HAP504cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Vincent Geloso and Chandler Reilly have a new paper in which they use Rothbard's "Private Product Remaining" (PPR) as a lower bound on estimates of national output, to be contrasted with the convention GDP statistics as an upper bound. Bob has the authors explain Rothbard's proposal and how they are trying to introduce it to the economics profession.The Paper, "National Output Without Government?": Mises.org/HAP503aThe Human Action Podcast Episode on Dubious Origins of GDP/GNP: Mises.org/HAP503bThe Bob Murphy Show Episode With Alex Salter Criticizing "State Capacity": Mises.org/HAP503cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Vincent Geloso and Chandler Reilly have a new paper in which they use Rothbard's "Private Product Remaining" (PPR) as a lower bound on estimates of national output, to be contrasted with the convention GDP statistics as an upper bound. Bob has the authors explain Rothbard's proposal and how they are trying to introduce it to the economics profession.The Paper, "National Output Without Government?": Mises.org/HAP503aThe Human Action Podcast Episode on Dubious Origins of GDP/GNP: Mises.org/HAP503bThe Bob Murphy Show Episode With Alex Salter Criticizing "State Capacity": Mises.org/HAP503cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

What the “legacy” media is trying to present as a brand-new authoritarian crackdown on the press is only a more visible version of how the federal government has attempted to control public opinion for nearly a century.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/weaponization-media-access-did-not-suddenly-start-trumpThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

As President Trump racks up defeat after defeat before the federal courts, the legacy media claims that federal judges are protecting us from government overreach. In reality, government overreach as we know it has been made possible by the federal judiciary.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/federal-judiciarys-war-trump-not-about-protecting-us-government-overreachThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

In this episode of the Human Action Podcast, Bob analyzes the key arguments from the recent immigration debate at the Soho Forum between Dave Smith and Alex Nowrasteh. He clarifies the critical issue of how libertarians should approach immigration when the government controls significant property and resources, explores the implications for public property rights, and examines empirical claims made during the debate.Alex Nowrasteh's Cato Article on Immigrants' Welfare and Entitlement Benefits Consumption: Mises.org/HAP502aAlex's Cato Article, "Do Immigrants Affect Economic Institutions?": Mises.org/HAP502bAlex's Cato Article, "The Fiscal Impact of Immigration in the United States": Mises.org/HAP502cThe Soho Debate Between Dave Smith and Alex Nowrasteh: Mises.org/HAP502dThe Human Action Podcast, "Simon Guenzl vs. Dave Smith on Open Borders": Mises.org/HAP502eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

In this episode of the Human Action Podcast, Bob analyzes the key arguments from the recent immigration debate at the Soho Forum between Dave Smith and Alex Nowrasteh. He clarifies the critical issue of how libertarians should approach immigration when the government controls significant property and resources, explores the implications for public property rights, and examines empirical claims made during the debate.Alex Nowrasteh's Cato Article on Immigrants' Welfare and Entitlement Benefits Consumption: Mises.org/HAP502aAlex's Cato Article, "Do Immigrants Affect Economic Institutions?": Mises.org/HAP502bAlex's Cato Article, "The Fiscal Impact of Immigration in the United States": Mises.org/HAP502cThe Soho Debate Between Dave Smith and Alex Nowrasteh: Mises.org/HAP502dThe Human Action Podcast, "Simon Guenzl vs. Dave Smith on Open Borders": Mises.org/HAP502eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Members of the establishment are trying to seize on Trump's recent frustrations with Putin to act like they've been right all along that the Russian president cannot be reasoned with. In truth, the difficult situation Trump finds himself in is almost entirely their fault.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/why-ending-war-ukraine-so-difficult-nowThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

Bob takes a close look at Oren Cass's recent appearance on Tucker Carlson, where Cass argued for free trade to a skeptical conservative audience. Bob unpacks Cass's arguments about tariffs, comparative advantage, and trade deficits—not to attack, but to clarify. Using classical and Austrian economics, Murphy shows why U.S. economic malaise can't be solved with tariffs, but also why dismissing Cass's concerns outright is a strategic and economic mistake.Oren Cass on The Tucker Carlson Show: Mises.org/HAP501aOren Cass on The Infineo Podcast: Mises.org/HAP501bThe Human Action Podcast Episode on Comparative Advantage: Mises.org/HAP501cOren Cass, "Free Trade's Origin Myth": Mises.org/HAP501dOren Cass, "The Truth About Tariffs": Mises.org/HAP501eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob takes a close look at Oren Cass's recent appearance on Tucker Carlson, where Cass argued for free trade to a skeptical conservative audience. Bob unpacks Cass's arguments about tariffs, comparative advantage, and trade deficits—not to attack, but to clarify. Using classical and Austrian economics, Murphy shows why U.S. economic malaise can't be solved with tariffs, but also why dismissing Cass's concerns outright is a strategic and economic mistake.Oren Cass on The Tucker Carlson Show: Mises.org/HAP501aOren Cass on The Infineo Podcast: Mises.org/HAP501bThe Human Action Podcast Episode on Comparative Advantage: Mises.org/HAP501cOren Cass, "Free Trade's Origin Myth": Mises.org/HAP501dOren Cass, "The Truth About Tariffs": Mises.org/HAP501eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

The reaction to Biden's cancer announcement reveals how little trust the public has in the people who spent years claiming that Biden's mental decline was fabricated by right-wing propagandists. That lack of trust is well deserved. Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/what-biden-health-coverup-reveals-about-political-classThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

Economist Alex Tabarrok joins Bob to review Trump's executive order on prescription drug pricing. They explore how price discrimination works in global pharmaceutical markets, the unintended consequences of importation policies, and why U.S. consumers often pay more—yet benefit most from drug innovation. Tabarrok also critiques the FDA's role in delaying treatments and explains how regulatory reform, not price caps, could make healthcare more affordable and effective.Alex's Article, "Econ 101 is Underrated: Pharma Price Controls": Mises.org/HAP500aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Economist Alex Tabarrok joins Bob to review Trump's executive order on prescription drug pricing. They explore how price discrimination works in global pharmaceutical markets, the unintended consequences of importation policies, and why U.S. consumers often pay more—yet benefit most from drug innovation. Tabarrok also critiques the FDA's role in delaying treatments and explains how regulatory reform, not price caps, could make healthcare more affordable and effective.Alex's Article, "Econ 101 is Underrated: Pharma Price Controls": Mises.org/HAP500aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

While Trump has not yet turned to price controls to address America‘s absurdly high drug prices, Monday‘s executive order suggests that he soon may. Price controls would only worsen the problem with the drug market. Here are three things he can do instead.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/how-trump-can-lower-drug-prices-without-price-controlsThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

The recent BEA "Advance Estimate" for 1q GDP growth showed a lackluster drop of 0.3 percent, but it included unusually large swings in private inventories and imports, as well as a drop in federal expenditures. Some MAGA fans have argued that once you account for these misleading figures, the report signifies a healthy economy. Murphy mostly disagrees, and shows why the report--taken at face value--does indeed signify poor economic performance. Peter St. Onge, "GDP Goes Negative. And it's Glorious.": Mises.org/HAP499aThe GDP Report: Mises.org/HAP499bHuman Action Podcast on Unpacking Trumps Tariff Strategy: Mises.org/HAP499cBob's Mises Daily Article, "Inventories Don't Kill Growth — People Kill Growth": Mises.org/HAP499dBob's Article, "Sorry MAGA, the GDP Report Is Not Rosy": Mises.org/HAP499eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

The recent BEA "Advance Estimate" for 1q GDP growth showed a lackluster drop of 0.3 percent, but it included unusually large swings in private inventories and imports, as well as a drop in federal expenditures. Some MAGA fans have argued that once you account for these misleading figures, the report signifies a healthy economy. Murphy mostly disagrees, and shows why the report--taken at face value--does indeed signify poor economic performance. Peter St. Onge, "GDP Goes Negative. And it's Glorious.": Mises.org/HAP499aThe GDP Report: Mises.org/HAP499bHuman Action Podcast on Unpacking Trumps Tariff Strategy: Mises.org/HAP499cBob's Mises Daily Article, "Inventories Don't Kill Growth — People Kill Growth": Mises.org/HAP499dBob's Article, "Sorry MAGA, the GDP Report Is Not Rosy": Mises.org/HAP499eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

With the deadline for obtaining the federal government‘s Real ID technically upon us, it‘s important to understand that this is not an irritating but necessary program to keep Americans safe. It's the latest example of the government using 9/11 as an excuse to grab more power.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/real-id-not-about-keeping-you-safeThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at Mises.org/GB

Dr. Jonathan Newman returns to the Human Action Podcast to discuss the relaunch of the Mises Academy—including his new course based on Bob's Lessons for the Young Economist textbook. But this conversation goes much deeper than curriculum. Bob and Jonathan unpack the fundamental question: What is economics, really? They explore how Austrian economics differs from psychology, history, and the natural sciences, why economics is more about understanding than prediction, and how praxeology reveals the logical structure of human choice.The New Mises Academy: Mises.org/HAP498aBob's Lessons for the Young Economist Textbook: Mises.org/HAP498bBob's Lessons for the Young Economist Teacher's Manual: Mises.org/HAP498cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Dr. Jonathan Newman returns to the Human Action Podcast to discuss the relaunch of the Mises Academy—including his new course based on Bob's Lessons for the Young Economist textbook. But this conversation goes much deeper than curriculum. Bob and Jonathan unpack the fundamental question: What is economics, really? They explore how Austrian economics differs from psychology, history, and the natural sciences, why economics is more about understanding than prediction, and how praxeology reveals the logical structure of human choice.The New Mises Academy: Mises.org/HAP498aBob's Lessons for the Young Economist Textbook: Mises.org/HAP498bBob's Lessons for the Young Economist Teacher's Manual: Mises.org/HAP498cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Dr. Joe Salerno joins Bob to review the recent tensions between Donald Trump and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. As Trump questions Powell's leadership and Fed policy, they explore the deeper issues: Should central banks really be "independent"? Does the Fed's shield from political oversight protect sound economics—or merely insulate elites from accountability? Murphy and Salerno tackle myths about interest rates, inflation, debt monetization, and the Fed's true relationship with government spending.Trump's Truth Social Post on Inflation: Mises.org/HAP497aCan Trump Fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell?: Mises.org/HAP497bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

The Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) crowd prides itself on fidelity to actual history. But Murphy shows how leading MMT guru Randall Wray completely distorts his discussion of two historical episodes in his college lecture.Wray, "Modern Money Theory for Beginners": Mises.org/HAP496aThe NBER Paper on Colonial Virginia's Money Regime: Mises.org/HAP496bNPR Planet Money, "A Giant Stone Coin At The Bottom Of The Sea": Mises.org/HAP496cMilton Friedman, "The Island Of Stone Money": Mises.org/HAP496dBob's Article, "MMT and Treasury Debt Payoff": Mises.org/HAP496eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin the Mises Institute on April 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, as we expose the danger and waste of bureaucracy: Mises.org/Phoenix25

In this episode, Bob breaks down the Triffin dilemma, explaining why it's wrong to assume that maintaining global reserve currency status requires ever-increasing U.S. trade deficits. He shows that America's chronic deficits are driven more by government spending and fiat money than by global necessity, making the case that returning to fiscal discipline and sound money—not tariffs—is the key to reversing America's economic decline.Bob and Jonathan Newman on Misleading Charts: Mises.org/HAP495aHow Economists Evaluate Tariffs Versus Income Taxes: Mises.org/HAP495bThe St. Louis Federal Reserve Article on Historical U.S. Trade Deficits: Mises.org/HAP495cThe Charts Referenced in this Episode: Mises.org/HAP495dSaez and Zucman, "The Rise of Income and Wealth Inequality in America": Mises.org/HAP495eTrump's Remarks on the US being a "Tariff-Backed Nation": Mises.org/HAP495fThe Tucker Carlson Show with Bob Lighthizer: Mises.org/HAP495gThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin the Mises Institute on April 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, as we expose the danger and waste of bureaucracy: Mises.org/Phoenix25

Jonathan Newman joins Bob to discuss the debate between Austrians and MMTers on the origins of money. In the Anti-MMT panel at the Austrian Economics Research Conference (AERC), Jonathan presented his research on the archeological evidence that silver was used as money in ancient Mesopotamia and how the evidence vindicates Menger's theory on the origins of money. Jonathan and Bob walk through various MMT responses and make the case that the Austrian school is especially suited to critique Modern Monetary Theory.The Anti-MMT Panel from the 2025 AERC: Mises.org/HAP494aElon Musk and Ted Cruz Discussing "Magic Money Computers": Mises.org/HAP494bJonathan's Overwhelming Evidence that Silver was Money in Ancient Mesopotamia: Mises.org/HAP494cThe X Thread by Patricia Pino on the Measure of Value of Money: Mises.org/HAP494dBob's "Origin of the Specie" in The American Conservative: Mises.org/HAP494eR.A Radford's "The Economic Organization of a P.O.W. Camp": Mises.org/HAP494fThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin the Mises Institute on April 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, as we expose the danger and waste of bureaucracy: Mises.org/Phoenix25

Patrick Newman joins Bob to discuss one of his talks at the Austrian Economics Research Conference (AERC), where he explained that Simon Kuznets–who developed the method of calculating GNP and GDP statistics–had serious doubts about how to include government expenditures.Patrick's Talk at the 2025 AERC: Mises.org/HAP493aRothbard's Man, Economy, and State: Mises.org/HAP493bBob's 2014 Talk on the Great Depression: Mises.org/HAP493cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin the Mises Institute on April 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, as we expose the danger and waste of bureaucracy: Mises.org/Phoenix25

Bob responds to recent tweets that believe trade deficits are a sign of economic strength. He also includes an op-ed from Robert Barro and a clip from Milton Friedman, to show that even big gun economists can often speak in misleading ways when it comes to trade deficits.Bob's Article on Free Traders Defending Deficits: Mises.org/HAP492aThe FRED Chart Referenced in this Episode: Mises.org/HAP492bBob's 2007 Mises Daily article on Capital Surplus: Mises.org/HAP492cBob's 2007 Mises Daily article Predicting the Recession: Mises.org/HAP492dThe Human Action Podcast Episode on International Trade: Mises.org/HAP492eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin us May 15–17, 2025, at the Mises Institute for our Revisionist History of War Conference: Mises.org/RHW