In the wake of the financial panic and economic recession of 2008, numerous macroeconomic policies are being re-evaluated. Some economists argue that the crisis demonstrates a need to move away from Ben Bernanke-type discretionary monetary policy and instead adopt some monetary policy rule. One such proposed rule is nominal GDP (NGDP) targeting, made popular by a set of economists that have been given the moniker “market monetarists.”

Bitcoin has been all the rage lately. The stuff, or lack thereof, runs on peer-to-peer technology, is fully decentralized, has no patents, and is open source. Currently, there are almost 11 million units in existence and the maximum amount of units that will ever be created by the logic of its design are 21 million. For more details on how they work, see the recent Mises Daily “The Money-Ness of Bitcoins by economist Nikolay Gertchev.

Here is a short video of interviews of regular people inside Cyprus. It would make for good material to show in economics classes so that students could get a better feel for what is going on.

Interview of David Stockman who replies to Krugman and other critics, defends gold standard, etc. Might make for good material to assign to your classes.

Since the earliest stage of human history (say, the time of Cain and Abel), human beings have been homicidal maniacs. Yet, for untold ages, something was missing, something with the capacity to raise their murderous mania to truly magnificent heights. Only very late in human history—perhaps 10,000 years ago or thereabouts—did the long-awaited breakthrough take place: men finally devised the state. By employing its powers of organization, command, violence, and plunder, rulers could finally bask in the glories of heretofore undreamed-of atrocities.

Here is another great lecture by Murray Rothbard: “Conservation and Property Right.” He covers virtually the entire spectrum of environmentalist concerns. 

Has anyone ever investigated Herbert Hoover’s “infamous” Radio Act of 1926? Why was it passed?

The April issue of The Free Market is now online. The monthly publication of the Mises Institute is now in its more expanded format with more updates on Institute events, scholars, donors and alumni.

This month, economist Randall Holcombe writes on the true nature of wealth creation, and the right way to study it. Also, Paul Cantor discusses his latest book on popular culture, flying saucers, and more.  

Click here to access the issue.

Harry Veryser’s new book It Didn’t Have to Be This Way: Why Boom and Bust Is Unnecessary—and How the Austrian School of Economics Breaks the Cycle is reviewed by John Zmirak. He write: