While much has been written about the “vibe shift” in America since Trump’s reelection, an almost equal feeling of change has recently been felt in British politics.

[Editor’s note: In this selection from The Struggle for Liberty: A Libertarian History of Political Thought, Ralph Raico introduces the idea that western Europe was unique in how it approached the power of civil government and sought to limit it.

In Das Kapital, Karl Marx outlined a historical progression of socioeconomic systems: tribal communism, slave societies, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, and communism. However, one notable omission from this framework is mercantilism. Why was it left out? While mercantilism and capitalism overlap, they are distinct systems with different economic policies, modes of production, and underlying principles. By omitting mercantilism, Marx could attribute its exploitative practices—particularly colonialism—directly to capitalism, reinforcing his ideological critique.

American History is the source of many enduring myths. George Washington didn’t chop down the cherry tree, Abraham Lincoln did not free the slaves (or even end slavery in this country), and Jim Crow was not the natural heir to post-war policies in the South in the 1860s and 70s. 

[Editor’s Note: This following article is an adaptation of the introduction to Libertarian Literary and Media Criticism: Essays in Memory of Paul A. Cantor, Edited by Jo Ann Cavallo (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2025. Paul Cantor was (1945-2022) was a student of Ludwig von Mises and an important contributor to mises.org on topics of the intersection between markets and culture.]

The word “austerity” is defined as sternness or severity of manner or attitude; extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance; conditions characterized by severity, sternness, or asceticism; or a way of life that limits luxuries. Austerity is also defined as a set of policies that reduce government spending and increase taxes. These policies can include “austerity measures,” often used during economic crises, including cutting government salaries, social programs, foreign aid, and safety net expenditures.

In recent weeks, there has been a sharp increase in violent attacks aimed at destroying cars and other property carrying the logo of Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla. 

This morning the President of Princeton University, Christopher Eisgruber, published his defense of Federal funding for research universities in The Atlantic: The Cost of the Government’s attack on Colombia. What are his arguments?