Roman Law: From Laissez-Faire to Statism
Private-property rights and laissez-faire were the fundamental heritage of the Roman law to later centuries.
Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme?
As far as we know, Ponzi never threatened anybody.
Environmentalists Clobber Texas
Texans are suffering terribly. Some pray for rain. Some curse Mother Nature. They should be cursing the government and praying for freedom from the environmental bureaucrats who have caused this shortage of water. Murray Rothbard predicted this in 1993.
Drugs and Copyright: A Fable
One of my favorite podcasts, Triangulation, featured in the latest episode an interview with the great John Perry Barlow–former member of the Grateful Dead (an innovator in viral marketing), IP opponent and activist for Internet freedom.
Is government enforcement necessary for financial markets?
Most people argue that government enforcement of contracts is required otherwise a market cannot operate. For example, Douglass North argues that “complex contracting…in a world of impersonal exchange must be accompanied by some kind of third-party enforcement.” The growing list of financial regulations are often supported by people hold such a view.
The Social Function of Profit-and-Loss Accounting
“Production for people, not profit!” Such critics do not appreciate the indispensable service that the profit-and-loss test provides to members of a market economy.
Can the private sector provide police and courts?
I was pleased to be able to present this paper at the most recent Mises Circle in Las Vegas where I got to see some great people.
What Makes Ideas Different?
Originality is nothing but judicious imitation.
Why Are Gold Prices So High?
It’s no mystery that Bernanke’s incredible dollar pumping would send worried investors into safe-haven currencies (gold and silver) that cannot be debased. We don’t need to draw up fancy models to get inside investors’ heads; these people are screaming their motivations at us every day.
