The anticipation surrounding the new movie "Gods and Generals" underscores the continuing fascination that Americans (and the world) have with the meaning of the Civil War. What continues to be missed are the economic roots of the North-South conflict—roots which represent deviations from the free-trade ideal.
In tough times, people cling to the words of politicians and the statements of TV's talking heads—the two sources least likely to offer a broad perspective that yields answers. Jeffrey Tucker recommends five books for a clear a historical perspective, a theoretical explanation, a forecast for the future, and an agenda for change.
David Frum did not intend to write a send-up of the state. His goal was not to demystify the White House. But that is the effect of his chatty little book, The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush (NY: Random House, 2002).
The fate of families and children in Sweden shows the truth of Ludwig von Mises's observation that "no compromise" is possible between capitalism and socialism, writes Allan Carlson. He shows how the welfare state's growth can be viewed as the transfer of the "dependency" function from families to state employees. The process began in 19th-century Sweden.
Socialists have always denigrated marriage, and have always devised alternative arrangements to "free" women from men (or, is it the other way around?). In the new movie, at the (first) marriage of Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera, one of their comrades attempts to explain why their marriage is to be celebrated. Even the choice of marriage is politicized.
America returned from Thanksgiving holiday oblivious that Washington is still whipped up into frenzy about the War on Terror, the prospects for another attack on the homeland, the creation of a new homeland-security department, and the impending war.
Capitalism (the free economy) is constantly being criticized, and it usually comes down to opposition to, and resentment against, the merchant class. However, the arguments and examples that people use against business under capitalism are not only illogical but also inaccurate.
John Gray is Ayn Rand's nightmare come true. Once a classical liberal, he now finds the inanities of Tony Blair's "Third Way",
Don't leave the job of criminal investigation to the politicized state.
This year's Nobel prize laureates in economics may have unwittingly laid the foundation for a retardation rather than an advancement of the economics discipline. There is not the slightest analogy between playing games and the conduct of business within a market society.
