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Audio Mises Wire

Mises Institutemises.org
Audio recordings of Mises Wire articles, offering contemporary news and opinion through the lens of Austrian economics and libertarian political economy.

Episodes

What Has Government Done to Our Money?

The Mises Institute is giving away copies of Murray Rothbard's classic, What Has Government Done to Our Money? and it will change how one sees our nation's monetary history. Rothbard presents a clear case for sound money as a basis for civilization itself. Original article: What Has Government Done to Our Money?    

Jan 10, 2025Ep. 2628

Marx’s Misanthropy

Marx is often portrayed as motivated by love of the working class, but, starting from the time he was a university student, he displayed contempt and hatred for the masses he deemed beneath him. Original article: Marx’s Misanthropy    

Jan 10, 2025Ep. 2626

Paul Krugman Rides into the Sunset

After spending 25 years as a columnist for the New York Times, Paul Krugman is finally retiring from that position—25 years too late, if one wishes to be honest. Original article: Paul Krugman Rides into the Sunset    

Jan 10, 2025Ep. 2624

Minimum Wage Laws Can’t Repeal the Laws of Economics

A new study at UC Berkeley claims that California‘s new $20 minimum wage has had no adverse economic effects. If only that were true. Original article: Minimum Wage Laws Can’t Repeal the Laws of Economics    

Jan 10, 2025Ep. 2623

Book Review: The Age of Debt Bubbles

The world is awash in debt bubbles, but politicians continue to spend, which requires even more central bank intervention—and more bubbles. Max Rangeley has edited The Age of Debt Bubbles, which details the dangers we face and how to stop the current madness. Original article: Book Review: The Age of Debt Bubbles    

Jan 10, 2025Ep. 2622

Critical Race Theory and Racial Polylogism

Long before the term "Critical Race Theory" was coined, Ludwig von Mises already was critiquing what he called "racial polylogism," which claims that what passes for truth depends upon racial identity. While people might hold different perspectives, truth still is truth. Original article: Critical Race Theory and Racial Polylogism    

Jan 10, 2025Ep. 2621

William Rawle and Secession

William Rawle was a well-respected lawyer, legal scholar, an abolitionist, and a believer in the right of states to secede. He described this in A View of the Constitution of the United States of America, which many claimed to have read while at West Point prior to the Civil War. Original article: William Rawle and Secession    

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2620

De-Bamboozling the Critical Race Theory of Court Intellectuals

There finally is pushback against Critical Race Theory that has infected higher education and most of our other institutions. Unfortunately, CRT concepts are so embedded in our body politic that the only way to combat them is through revisionist history. Original article: De-Bamboozling the Critical Race Theory of Court Intellectuals    

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2619

Atomic Salvation: Did the Atom Bombs Save 500,000 to 32 Million Lives?

The US went to war 83 years ago today with Japan‘s attack on Pearl Harbor. It ended with Japan‘s surrender after US bombers dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The myth lives on to this day that the bombs ended the war prematurely, saving millions of lives. Original article: Atomic Salvation: Did the Atom Bombs Save 500,000 to 32 Million Lives?    ...

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2618

Self-Described “Austrian” Is New Leader of UK Conservative Party: Should Kemi Badenoch Give Us Hope?

In the aftermath of its recent election debacle, Britain's Conservatives have selected Kemi Badenoch as their new leader. Badenoch describes herself as an "adherent to Austrian Economics." Will it make any difference in Britain's future? Original article: Self-Described “Austrian” Is New Leader of UK Conservative Party: Should Kemi Badenoch Give Us Hope?    ...

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2617

Federal Power and Statist Racecraft

In the post-Civil War South during Reconstruction, federal troops attempted to impose their will in part by pitting recently-freed slaves against southern whites. The outcome was obvious, leading to more than a century of violent racial clashes, all the while strengthening federal power. Original article: Federal Power and Statist Racecraft    

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2616

The Keynesian Liquidity Trap Fable

A central doctrine of the Keynesian system is the “liquidity trap” in which consumers hold money in anticipation of higher interest rates. The act of holding money allegedly promotes “underconsumption,” continuing the economic downturn. This doctrine, however, cannot withstand scrutiny. Original article: The Keynesian Liquidity Trap Fable    

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2615

New Austrian Insights

It should be clear from the articles in this book that the Austrian School is thriving. Per Bylund has rendered a great service in bringing the scholarship in A Modern Guide to Austrian Economics to our attention. Original article: New Austrian Insights    

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2614

Want to Cut Federal Workers? Just Cut Spending.

These days, most federally-funded workers are “private” contract and grant workers. These jobs will quickly disappear if we‘re serious about spending cuts.  Original article: Want to Cut Federal Workers? Just Cut Spending.    

Jan 07, 2025Ep. 2613

Why It’s Time To Abolish the Department of Education

Created as a sop to the teachers‘ unions, the Department has presided over huge declines in student academic performances and has played a vital role in politicizing formal learning at all levels.  Original article: Why It’s Time To Abolish the Department of Education    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2612

The Fed’s “Price Stability” Schemes Sow Economic Chaos

The Federal Reserve says it can manipulate the money supply to ensure “price stability.” This worsens the boom-bust cycles and undermines the economy. Original article: The Fed’s “Price Stability” Schemes Sow Economic Chaos    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2611

North and South in Antiracist Revisionism

Modern “antiracist” historians have pursued the myth that the virtuous North engaged in warfare with the South in order to free slaves and end chattel slavery. The historical record, however, tells a much different story. Original article: North and South in Antiracist Revisionism    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2610

Another Merit of Medieval Bolognese Canons

The Austrian School of economics traces its roots to the School of Salamanca in medieval times. The scholastics of Salamanca, in turn, were influenced by the canon jurists from the University of Bologna, demonstrating the rich and historic roots of Austrian economics. Original article: Another Merit of Medieval Bolognese Canons    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2609

US Bond Yields Rise as Reserve Currency Status Wanes

The Federal Reserve continues to be the not-so-silent partner to the government's reckless deficit spending scheme. While the Fed tries to force down interest, US bond yields are rising, as the markets recognize these bifurcated policies. Original article: US Bond Yields Rise as Reserve Currency Status Wanes    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2608

From Indentureship to Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs come from all walks of life and from different social and ethnic groups. Lipton Matthews reviews Jean-Claude Escalante’s From Indentureship to Entrepreneurship, which chronicles the rise of a successful entrepreneur who came from humble beginnings. Original article: From Indentureship to Entrepreneurship    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2607

Prices Are Not Measurements of Value

One of the fallacies of modern academic neoclassical economics is that we can take cardinal measures of value. Austrian economists, beginning with Carl Menger, know better. Original article: Prices Are Not Measurements of Value    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2606

The Secret Passage: How Amzalak and Salazar Helped Ludwig von Mises Escape the Nazis

In 1940, shortly after Nazi armies ran across Europe and conquered France, Ludwig von Mises and his wife, Margit, escaped to the US after a harrowing journey through hostile territory. Here is their story. Original article: The Secret Passage: How Amzalak and Salazar Helped Ludwig von Mises Escape the Nazis    

Jan 02, 2025Ep. 2605

A Critique of Black Box Economics

Mainstream economists today examine economic phenomena from a “black box” perspective in which they look at inputs and outputs without trying to understand causal mechanisms that make the outcomes possible. Original article: A Critique of Black Box Economics    

Dec 26, 2024Ep. 2604

Finding Shelter from Monetary Racketeers

We have reached this point: the government keepers of money do not even understand what money is or why inflation is harmful. To them, the real threat to the economy is “deflation.” Original article: Finding Shelter from Monetary Racketeers    

Dec 26, 2024Ep. 2603

Distress in Commercial Real Estate Bonds Hits All-Time High

Commercial real estate in the US faces major problems despite efforts by the Federal Reserve System to prop it up. Bonds used to finance commercial real estate markets are being hit especially hard, and there is no relief in sight. Original article: Distress in Commercial Real Estate Bonds Hits All-Time High    

Dec 26, 2024Ep. 2602

Could an Increase in the Supply of Gold Cause a Boom-Bust Cycle?

Can an increase in the supply of gold cause a boom-bust cycle? Mises believed it was theoretically possible but highly unlikely. Rothbard, on the other hand, said as long as gold is money and there is no fiduciary media, such a scenario was not possible. Original article: Could an Increase in the Supply of Gold Cause a Boom-Bust Cycle?    

Dec 26, 2024Ep. 2601

Climate Anxiety: A Regime-Created “Illness”

Thanks to unrelenting propaganda from the establishment media, a large number of Americans are suffering from what is diagnosed as “climate anxiety.”  Original article: Climate Anxiety: A Regime-Created “Illness”    

Dec 26, 2024Ep. 2600

Disparate Impact Is a Legal Trick

By misusing statistics, the government claims that racial disparities are always caused by racial discrimination and that these disparities can only be rectified by state-directed outcomes. However, government programs have made things much worse. Original article: Disparate Impact Is a Legal Trick    

Dec 26, 2024Ep. 2599