Gold Standard

This episode explores the economic implications of deflation, debunking the mainstream fear that falling prices cripple economic growth.

Ryan McMaken and economist Jonathan Newman look at the government's alleged $750 billion gold reserve, how it got there, and why it's time to privatize the gold.

Since the last credible audit in the 1950s, America’s gold reserves have been subject to limited, flawed, and theatrical inspections.

Bob explains that the beloved Wizard of Oz movie involved an allegory of the bimetallism debates of the late 1800s.

Mises Fellow Kristoffer Hansen joins Bob to discuss the controversy surrounding Mises' perspective on fractional reserve banking and free banking.

Brent Johnson of Santiago Capital joins Bob for a friendly disagreement over the dynamics of a decline in foreign demand to hold USD.

Many economics textbooks claim that a function of money is to measure the value of goods. In fact, the value an individual attaches to a given sum of money or to any kind of good (including gold) is based on a subjective judgment and is without physical dimensions.

The Federal Reserve System might be rapidly debasing the US Dollar, but several states are making it easier to own gold. The "barbarous relic" is gaining economic status.

Sponsored by Paul Dietrich.

Keynes denounced monetary gold as "a barbarous relic." In the end, it will be that "barbarous relic" that overthrows the regime of paper currency.