Monopoly and Competition

The economic case for private property and the free market, including the impracticability of socialism, the failures of interventionism, and the problems of cartels, monopoly, and bureaucracy.

In this discussion of Rothbard's seminal essay on the nature of the state, "The Anatomy of the State," Ryan McMaken takes a look at the state as a unique organization with a monopoly on the means of coercion.

Government policy regarding patents is based upon the belief that no one would invent anything without some monopoly privileges. There is good reason to question that belief and the resulting policies.

Whenever there is an economic problem, politicians in knee-jerk response blame private monopolies. The problem isn’t monopolies; the problem is government.

Drawing on Man, Economy, and State, Dr. Jonathan Newman walks through Rothbard's theory of price formation and competition, showing that prices reflect subjective preferences, not seller greed, and that the only consumer-harming monopolies are those created by the state.

The TSA stories, especially at Atlanta, are illustrations of interventionist non-intervention: non-delivery of promised, paid-for, and monopolized service.

The TSA stories, especially at Atlanta, are illustrations of interventionist non-intervention: non-delivery of promised, paid-for, and monopolized service.

In commemoration of Murray Rothbard’s 100th birthday, Bob shares five “greatest hits” from Rothbard’s economics, covering deficits vs. inflation, monopoly theory, excess capacity, the time structure of production, and his reconstruction of utility and welfare economics.

Competition is a relentless, dynamic process of entrepreneurship and discovery.

Imagination is a key aspect of abstract thinking and economics. However, many fallaciously assume that one‘s failure to imagine how something would work on a free market necessitates state provision. This is an unjustified leap in logic.