The Ancient Chinese Libertarian Tradition
The first libertarian intellectual, writes Murray Rothbard, was Lao-tzu, the founder of Taoism.
And Then a Miracle Occurs
In the public policy arena, writes Gary Galles, someone desperate to demonstrate their position, but stymied by a gap in their argument, often invokes a “then a miracle occurs” step, from which their supposed “proof” can continue.
Fetter the Radical
The hallmark of Frank A. Fetter’s approach to economic theory was his “radicalism,” writes Murray Rothbard.
Down with (parts of) the past!
I’m looking at the new issue of Chronicles, which features a happy kid using a plough pulled by some oxen, and behind him stands an old corner store but in the back of the supposedly idyllic scene is that dreadful menace Wal-Mart shown in black and white. Wal-Mart! Why, the store intends to take that kid from behind that plough and plunk him behind some counter pushing goods made in China, and thus does the world end.
Crack House
This might be the first crack in the housing bubble. The graph below is of the Philadelphia Housing Index (major home builders) since the index began in 2002. The HGX index (In blue) has remained above the Index´s 200 day moving average line (in red) until very recently. This “technical” sign is not surprising given the increase in interest rates by the Fed and in long term governmen bonds. The index shows a 150% gain in the last couple of years, but several of the home builders are up much more since the housing bubble began. 
The Skillful Professor Rothbard
F.A. Hayek writes the introduction to a collection of methodological pieces by Murray Rothbard. Hayek wrote that Rothbard not only mastered the praxeological method of Mises but had gone beyond him in many ways.
Report on the Austrian Student Scholars Conference
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending, for the second time, the Austrian Student Scholars Conference at Grove City College. 22 students from various colleges gathered together to present and discuss their research. The topics ranged from abstract philosophical considerations of methodology and libertarianism to more concrete applications of theoretical insights to history and current political and social issues.
DiLorenzo Wins the Smith Prize
Thomas DiLorenzo’s book How Capitalism Save America has been awarded the Smith-FEE prize for best book (in 2003-2005) by the selection committee of the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics.The Deficit Reduction Myth
Congress is reducing the deficit? Bert McLachlan says it’s a joke.
Four Thousand Years of Price Control
Supply and demand have been allowed to work in energy markets, writes Thomas DiLorenzo, resulting in ups and downs in gasoline prices. But Congress wants to end it.
