Both the left wing and right wing in the United States today use nullification as a tactic against federal law, even though nullification is clearly illegal according to modern legal interpretations. Nullification isn’t a legal tactic, though. It’s a political one.
Ron Paul's message of peace is a critical component in limiting the power of the state. Unfortunately, few ever question the branch of the state known as "the military" and assume that militarism and empire can be compatible with a free society.
Bernie Sanders says immigrants are "taking our jobs" and that the state must act to "help [American] poor people." Predictably, Sanders's "solution" is to give more power to the same government that has created the very problems Sanders identifies with too much immigration.
Full-on anti-capitalism is again fashionable. The supporters of the latest surge in socialist sympathy relies on the idea that socialism can better deliver a decent standard of living. But without functioning markets, such a goal will prove impossible.
Murray Rothbard discusses the veil of sanctity that has been wrapped around Gandhi by his numerous disciples and exposes his thoughts to the rigors of individual freedom and genuine civil disobedience.
Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on 24 July 2015.
Many commentators focus on immigrants when declaring that people who live off government spending should not be able to vote. However, there is no lack of longtime citizens who also have an incentive to keep the tax money flowing as long as possible.
Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on 23 July 2015.
For starters, consider that personal and business reputations might well become even more important in a more libertarian society. Our reflexive aversion to cheats, liars, and secrecy is very much in accord with human nature, and there’s every reason to believe a private legal system would reflect this. In an uncertain world of scarce resources, a lack of trustworthiness in others creates huge transaction costs. This is especially true of our interactions with strangers, where we’re forced to create elaborate legal contracts before doing business-- a handshake no longer suffices.
Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on 23 July 2015.
