Political Theory

Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on 21 July 2015.

Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on 21 July 2015.

Mises had diagnosed these problems long before they became apparent.  In a series of essays written between the two World Wars—but also in Omnipotent Government published in 1944—, Mises showed that in a world where governments interfere in their domestic markets, and with the monetary system, and where (economic) nationalism prevails, it is pointless to hope for any political and economic resolution from supranational organizations. The best these institutions can do is prolong the disastrous effects of government policies, and postpone—though loans and bailouts—their inevitable collapse.

Frédéric Bastiat would have turned 214 today. Although primarily remembered for The Law, Bastiat's book Economic Sophisms, filled with Bastiat's unique wit, and his ability to destroy bad economic theories, is as timely as ever.

Sardinia has a long history of agitating for secession from Italy. Now some Sardinians want to secede form Italy in order to become a new region of Switzerland. Ludwig von Mises defended this "secede-and-join" tactic and called it "self-determination."

Łukasz and Jeff discuss Hoppe, private law, and the role of culture in libertarian theory.

Mark Thornton is interviewed by Phil Pepin on The Pursuit of Freedom radio show

This paper provides an outline of politics, and argues that elements of an a priori theory of politics can be found in the writings of Austrian school scholars, although they have not yet been grouped under a specific field.

The state was being even more sadistic than usual when it handed down an unwarranted life sentence to Ross Ulbricht. Many libertarians hail Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road, as a hero of freedom. But did he really forward the cause of free markets?

Celebrate Star Wars Day: Here Are My Review/Previews of the Prequels. It's All About the Battle of Ideas!