America inherited the core institutional framework of Europe (especially Britain) but refined and amplified it through greater decentralization, lower taxation, and more expansive freedoms.
Audio Mises Wire
Audio recordings of Mises Wire articles, offering contemporary news and opinion through the lens of Austrian economics and libertarian political economy.
Even though a significant number of libertarians supported Trump for president, he clearly has shown no respect for libertarian thinking, especially with his anti-growth trade policies and support for bloated federal spending.
With the Iran bombing, the US Government is once again embarking on yet another act of war in support of the US empire. The eternal quest to expand the empire will not end well for Americans. Opposing the government‘s wars is a worthy endeavor.
Mainstream economics is deterministic, holding that economic actors continue to move in one directions, not responding to changes in economic circumstances or incentives. The Austrians understand economics is about people engaged in purposeful action.
Elon Musk has thrown in the towel on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in all but name. Mises correctly anticipated failures like these.
Economic sanctions, as a general principle, have a history of failure in the 20th and 21st centuries, which penalize everyday citizens in the sanctioned country.
As US debt soars and foreign central banks stockpile gold, members of Congress introduce a bill to require a comprehensive audit of America’s gold reserves.
Our socialist transit systems are an ongoing failure made worse by even more government intervention. We should not be surprised, then, when political leaders insist that the real problem is the lack of a political will to spend even more money on government enterprises.
Ted Cruz’s politics aren’t just conservative, they’re theological. Jonathan Newman explores how dispensationalism shapes US loyalty to the state of Israel.
Hamas‘s invasion of Israel happened despite decades of US intervention and spending in favor of Tel Aviv. Yet, this ongoing conflict has nothing at all to do with the safety and security of the United States itself. It's time for the US to get out.
The standard argument for government services is that only government can build enough roads to meet transportation needs. However, the disconnect between production and consumer choice ensures misallocation of resources under government roads, including traffic congestion.
Total war against civilians didn't begin with World War II. It was official policy of the Union during the Civil War to lay waste to southern cities, towns, and farms. Tactics northern generals used against civilians became the blueprint for armed forces in Europe and Japan 80 years later.
College professors have suddenly discovered entrepreneurship and are teaching about it in their classes. However, while it is an interesting subject, one cannot teach someone how to be a successful entrepreneur.
When politicians intervene in the economy, they often do it in the name of mitigating “greed” or “profiteering.” While they can pass laws regulating prices and the like, they cannot repeal economic laws. Instead, they can only make things worse.
Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have toured the country calling for massive government takeover of the economy and other socialist initiatives. For socialists, Sanders and AOC have become the new “Keepers of the Secret” of making socialism viable.
Sen. Ted Cruz was recently interviewed by Tucker Carlson, with Cruz advocating “regime change” in Iran. However, Cruz doesn‘t know enough Iranian history to make any qualified judgment on Iran or its people.
Why is the Trump administration levying tariffs? Are they for tax purposes? Protecting domestic industries? Bargaining chips for international deal making? The administration and its supporters have floated mutually-exclusive reasons for these policies, making the confusion worse.
During 2024 taxpayers were on the hook for $1.13 trillion in interest on the debt. That’s nearly $7,400 for each of the 153 million people who file tax returns.
Amtrak subsidies keep many of Amtrak‘s routes alive despite the fact that ridership is down on many of them. These subsidies guarantee that Amtrak will be a second-rate, undercapitalized passenger railroad system.
Despite Trump‘s campaign promises and despite DOGE‘s so-called reputation of cutting government waste, the new administration is spending money faster than the supposed spendthrift Biden administration. This is Machiavellianism at its best.
