Radio Rothbard

In this episode of the Radio Rothbard, we look at Murray Rothbard's monumental history of the American Revolution, Conceived in Liberty.  In this work, Rothbard explores the philosophy, tactics, and debates that led to the separation of the American colonies from the British state. In spite of abuses by Patriots against the Loyalists, the revolutionaries were still right. Be sure to follow Ra...

Ryan McMaken looks at the little known (in America) secessionist war for self-determination fought by French counterrevolutionaries against the French Jacobins and radicals. The Marxist narrative about this conflict endures, but the separatists were right. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://...

Ryan McMaken reviews a new book on the political institutions of the Middle Ages, The Medieval Constitution of Liberty: Political Foundations of Liberalism in the West. We find that it is in the Middle Ages that we find the origins of modern notions of political freedom, representative government, political decentralization, and limits on state powers. In practice, the politics of the "Renais...

In this discussion of Rothbard's seminal essay on the nature of the state, "The Anatomy of the State," Ryan McMaken takes a look at the state as a unique organization with a monopoly on the means of coercion. This organization, which is not to be confused with society in general, has its own ways of preserving itself and relating to other states. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.o...

Ryan McMaken takes a look at Rothbard's seminal 1963 essay "War, Peace, and the State." We find that Rothbard was no pacifist, but supported defensive violence against aggressors. Rothbard also maintains war must be limited by respect for neutrals, and avoidance of weapons that target innocent non-combatants.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard...

In this episode of Radio Rothbard, Ryan McMaken looks at Rothbard's essay "Nations by Consent: Decomposing the Nation State." The essay provides some key insights into the nature of the nation-state, its origins, and implications for modern-day topics like immigration, citizenship, and national borders.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs a...

Ryan McMaken looks in detail at an important essay by historian Ralph Raico in which Raico critiques Ludwig von Mises's views on democracy, fascism, and immigration. Raico suggests that Mises's views of democracy and immigration fail to address some real-world problems. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get you...

Joseph Solis-Mullen joins Ryan McMaken to talk about the real history of the libertarian movement, and its origins.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Parental obligations can't be reduced to a contractual or property-based relationship. Jake Desyllas joins Ryan McMaken to talk about why parents are responsible for the well-being of their children.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20...

In this lecture from the 2026 Libertarian Scholars Conference, Ryan McMaken looks at how the old classical liberal program of democracy and constitutions has failed, and why we need a more realist view of the state and its many crimes.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothM...

Foreign policy scholar Brandan Buck join Ryan McMaken to talk about whether or not a US tactical victory in Iran can lead to a strategic victory as well. And what does victory for the Iranian state look like? Are there any prospects for a lasting peace?  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https...

America has a long history of vibrant small business. But small business went into decline in the twentieth century, and it wasn't just due to large scale industrialization. Government has played a big role.   Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CODE: RothP...

 The Trump White House can't decide on a reason for why it went to war. But one goal is clearly regime change. Ryan McMaken and Zachary Yost discuss the many obstacles to this unlikely outcome.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20%...

Italian economist Bernardo Ferrero joins Ryan McMaken to discuss the state of European politics over taxes, spending, inflation, and fiscal and monetary policy. Do Europeans claim to care about deficits and debt like Americans? Ferrero is a PhD candidate in economics at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Spain. He is also the co-author of The Pandemic and Central Planning (Pandemia e dirigismo) a...

Ryan McMaken of the Mises Institute and Christopher Calton of the Independent Institute talk about why politicians want higher home prices. Even Trump now admits he wants higher home prices, and it's because older voters want their asset prices to go up forever.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours...

Ryan McMaken and historian Larsen Plyler talk about how the Americans of the 1770s envisioned a new community of independent and sovereign states. The first constitution made this clear. But then the new counterrevolutionaries like Hamilton wrote a new constitution designed to create one big national state with vast new powers.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothb...

When it comes to the great political economist John C. Calhoun, most people love him or hate him. In this episode, economic historian Patrick Newman joins us to take a more balanced look at Calhoun, his origins as a War Hawk and nationalist, and why he was never a true Jeffersonian.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the M...

Vivek Ramaswamy promotes a fictional version of American history in which a handful of people created America and that culture and religion are canceled out by an ideological "creed." In truth, the American nation and the American state are two different things.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours...

Ryan and Josh Mawhorter talk about how Thomas Hobbes, even nearly 400 years later, remains a popular spokesman for almost limitless state power. In fact, by Hobbes's logic, the world should by ruled by a single global dictatorship.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug &...

Data shows that the marriage rate and the homeownership rate have been closely connected for decades. Historically, more marriage means more home buying, but government intervention has made buying a home much harder.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CO...

This week Ryan and Zachary Yost take a look at international relations scholar John Mearsheimer's claim that Europe faces a bleak future as the United States pivots away from NATO. Can Europe thrive without American taxpayers' money?  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug...

50-year mortgages are likely to increase the likelihood of more "owners" becoming underwater and walking away from their mortgages. This will lead to more bailouts for the financial sector. Taxpayers will pay the price.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO...

In this lecture from the 2025 Mises Institute Supporters summit, Ryan looks at how the modern state is built on the rapid rise of taxation in recent centuries.   Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Ryan McMaken takes a deep dive on food stamp spending, food stamp recipients, and how Big Ag and other industry lobbyists fight to keep food stamp spending flowing and increasing.  Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Ryan and political scientist Joseph Solis-Mullen talk about how taxes, war, and the state are all part of a centuries-old formula for impoverishing the productive class while enriching the government class.   Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug   PROMO CODE: RothPo...