For the third year in a row, I was asked to speak on classical liberalism (libertarianism) to the 11th graders in my kids’ school, in their Great Ideas course. Video Mentioned When Did I Sign This ‘Social Contract’? Article Mentioned The Misplaced Fear of ‘Monopoly’ Assigned Reading “ The Anatomy of the State ,” by Murray N. Rothbard (the teacher asked what I… Read More
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Ep. 411 Hillsdale College’s Federalist Papers Course: Error and Propaganda
James Madison biographer Kevin Gutzman joins Tom to critique the free course on The Federalist offered by the conservative Hillsdale College. Drop everything and listen to this. About the Guest James Madison biographer Kevin Gutzman is a professor of history at Western Connecticut State University. Course… Read More
Ep. 410 Socialist Basket Cases, and Other Economic Topics
The socialist disaster in Venezuela reminds our guest, Carmen Dorobat, of her native Romania during its communist period. Plus, we discuss protectionism at the World Trade Organization and other economic topics. About the Guest Carmen Dorobat is an instructor in economics at Coventry University (U.K.),… Read More
Ep. 409 The Doomsayers Are Wrong, As Usual
Predictions of doom, whether because of inadequate food, or acid rain, or poverty — the list goes on and on — have consistently been refuted by events. Matt Ridley makes an overwhelming case against the doomsayers, who are still very much with us. About the… Read More
Ep. 408 The Main Reason Socialism Can’t Work
Tom and Matt Machaj discuss the fundamental reason socialism must lead to economic chaos. About the Guest Mateusz Machaj is assistant professor at the Institute of Economics of the University of Wroclaw, and founder and chief economist of the Polish Ludwig von Mises Institute. Articles Discussed “ Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth ,”… Read More
Ep. 407 Marxism and Its Fallacies
Tom discusses the problems of Marxism with David Gordon. About the Guest David Gordon holds a Ph.D. in intellectual history from UCLA, and is a senior fellow of the Mises Institute . Guest’s Books The Essential Rothbard Resurrecting Marx: The Analytical Marxists on Freedom, Exploitation, and Justice Books Mentioned Classical Economics , by Murray N. Rothbard A Farewell to Marx , by David Conway Related Episodes… Read More
Ep. 406 David Stockman: Progressive Defenses of Obamanomics Are Laughable
Supporters of Barack Obama say his economic record is actually quite strong, and that right-wingers simply can’t accept that. David Stockman, formerly of the Reagan administration, reduces these claims to rubble, and then destroys the rubble. Among the issues covered: Has Barack Obama been a… Read More
Ep. 405 Amtrak Is Stupid
Amtrak doesn’t need still more money. It needs to be cut off completely. It makes no economic sense, it will always be a boondoggle, and it is the classic example of the total arbitrariness of government spending. Articles Discussed “ Stop Bleating About Crumbling Infrastructure ,” by David Stockman “ Amtrak: A National Hazard at any Speed… Read More
Ep. 404 Conscientious Objectors: Their Fascinating History, and Their Role Today
Tom discusses the tradition of conscientious objection to war: its history, and its ongoing relevance. About the Guest Bill Galvin is a Vietnam-era conscientious objector, and Counseling Coordinator at the Center on Conscience & War. He is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and sits… Read More
Ep. 403 Austrian Microeconomics: Where the Critics Go Wrong
Jeff Herbener and Tom review Bryan Caplan’s article “Why I Am Not an Austrian Economist.” About the Guest Jeffrey M. Herbener is chairman of the department of economics at Grove City College and associate editor of the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics . Article Discussed “ Why I Am Not an Austrian Economist ,” by Bryan Caplan… Read More