Podcasts about what has government done

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

The first 100 days of the second Trump administration have made it clear that those who want the foreign policy status quo to continue are serious about doing what it takes to accomplish their goals, while those who want to change it are not.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/trump-administration-not-serious-about-ending-endless-warsThe 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. 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

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

President Trump‘s threat to withhold $9 billion from Harvard University is being framed in the legacy media and academia as a threat to Harvard‘s academic freedom. But there is a pertinent question no pundits are even asking: Why are taxpayers being forced to give Harvard $9 billion? Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/stop-all-federal-funding-universitiesThe 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 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

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

President Trump has threatened to use the armed forces to go after the drug cartels in Mexico. Escalating the disastrous War on Drugs by incorporating the failed strategies of the War on Terror is a terrible idea.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/bringing-war-terror-our-southern-border-can-only-end-disasterThe 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, 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

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

While President Trump‘s tariffs certainly are causing economic harm, they alone could not cause a recession had there not already been years of artificial credit expansion.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/theres-only-one-possible-cause-next-recession-and-it-isnt-tariffsThe 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

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

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

President Trump has declared today “Liberation Day,” because many of his tariffs come into force. His team is taking a gamble that either the law of supply and demand does not apply to trade or that the American public will be uncharacteristically fine with higher prices.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-are-mistakeThe 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

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

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

One of the common worries about a hard money like gold or Bitcoin is that large price deflation could make lending and investment impossible because nominal interest rates can't go below 0%. Bob explains why these fears are invalid.The Charts Used in This Episode Can Be Viewed Here: Mises.org/HAP491aThe 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

Bob first reviews the standard libertarian case for legalizing drugs as the way to neutralize the Mexican drug cartels. Then he plays a recent clip where Dave Smith argues that drug prohibition leads to violence because (among other factors) you can't call the cops if someone steals your product. Bob argues that libertarians should stop making this (invalid) argument.Bob's Lessons for the Young Economist: Mises.org/HAP490aPart of the Problem Episode 1233: Mises.org/HAP490bThe 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