Audio Mises Wire

Modern socialism is based upon state interference in normal human relationships, economic and otherwise. It is as disastrous as the older state-planning model. Original Article: " Modern Socialism Is Forced Socialization "

More than two thousand years ago, the ancient Chinese Tao presented ideas that are reflected in F.A. Hayek's concept of spontaneous order. Original Article: " The Tao and the Synergy of the Spontaneous Order "

At a time when ethnic politics were tearing Europe apart, Ludwig von Mises believed that such ethnic devotion did more harm than good. Original Article: " Mises and Nationalism "

Postwar Germany was occupied, in ruins, with an economy in chaos. Germans were reduced to using cigarettes supplied by American GIs as money. Original Article: " To Smoke or Not to Smoke: The Cigarette Economy in Postwar Germany, 1945–48 "

Whether political elites promote outright socialism or interventionism, thanks to the reality of economic calculation, they are advocating a failed economy. Original Article: " Why Mises’s Theory of Economic Calculation Still Is Relevant Today "

Rational choice theory claims that people in the political realm act in their own self-interest. However, in today's political climate, many people act against their own interests to avoid being attacked by others. Original Article: " Why Do We Act against Our Self-Interest? "

The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) is the latest "weapon" in the government's so-called arsenal to keep the banking system afloat. But the system needs much more than just "liquidity." It needs sound money and sound banking practices. Original Article: " The Backstops for Banks Are Full of Holes "

The fiat US dollar, while still the world's "reserve" currency, is being imperiled by reckless actions by monetary authorities. Other countries are taking notice—and action. Original Article: " How US States Could Pave the Way for Currency Competition "

Do we have a right to sunlight? How do we assert those rights? Murray Rothbard provides some answers. Original Article: " How Should We Regulate the Sun (Since Our Government Regulates Nearly Everything Else)? "

How can a bank “create money out of thin air”? We must enter the magical kingdom of “fractional-reserve banking,” where deposits are turned into loans, loans are turned into money, and so on, to find out. Original Article: " Banks Create Money out of Thin Air. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? "

With each iteration of the banking crisis, the Federal Reserve System and federal regulators gain in power and authority. Maybe the banking crisis isn’t an accident. Original Article: " Is the Banking Crisis Being Orchestrated? "

Argentina is one of the world's poster children for hyperinflation. Unfortunately, monetary reforms aren't working because the authorities are not serious about having a sound currency. Original Article: " The Argentinian Zombie Currency "

It's fitting that the G7 recently met in Hiroshima because the policies they are following are blowing up the world economy. Original Article: " The G7 in Hiroshima: The Latest Attempt to Impose a Unipolar World "

Patrick Deneen writes that the nonaggression principle promotes a liberalism that is harmful to society, as evidenced by John Stuart Mill's idea of the tyranny of public opinion. Original Article: " Misreading Mill "

The problem here not that the central bank is "setting" the "wrong" interest rate. The problem is the Fed has long been relentlessly forcing down interest rates to satisfy various politically determined "needs." Original Article: " Wall Street to the Fed: Inflation Is Over. Give Us More Easy Money! "

After 1820, growing numbers of propertyless squatters were voters, and this was an opportunity for politicians to offer cheap land in exchange for loyalty to the Democratic Party. Original Article: " How "Squatter Democracy" Created America's First Welfare Program "

Rent control is all the rage with progressives, with several states and localities trying to impose it. However, when people have their property effectively—and legally—stolen, there are long-term consequences. Original Article: " Call Rent Control What It Really Is: Theft "

Socialists like Bernie Sanders and the editors of Jacobin have decried the possible US government debt default. Marx and Lenin would have vociferously disagreed. Original Article: " Socialists Should Support Government Default: Their Forebears Certainly Did "

The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation supposedly protects people from government data abuse. In reality, it empowers governments. Original Article: " The GDPR Paradox: Empowering Government in the Name of Data Protection "

South Africa is suffering from rolling blackouts and other power outages. These could be avoided if the government would permit competition in electricity markets. Original Article: " Licensing Laws Deepen South Africa's Electricity Crisis "

In today's progressive climate, sexual assault charges are easy to make and hard to refute, even when they are demonstrably false. Original Article: " Demonizing Men with False Data on Sexual Abuse "

Some conservatives are upset because the new best-selling beer is owned by the same company that owns the beleaguered Bud Lite. Actually, they should have no problem with that. Original Article: " Do Boycotts Really Work? Another Look at the Bud Light Situation "

While the faux debt ceiling drama rages in Washington, DC, governments worldwide are defaulting on their debt via inflation. Original Article: " Default by Inflation Is the Real Drama in the Global Debt Market "

The State of California, unable to unionize fast food workers, now is trying to create workers councils that will set labor policies for fast food restaurants. This will not end well. Original Article: " Leviathan Is on the Menu "

The latest round of wildfires in Canada has brought out the usual statist demands that we ban fossil fuels, but in the real world fossil fuels protect people from climate-related disasters. Original Article: " Fossil Fuels Enable Us to Better Fight Fires and Other Environmental Disasters "