The Human Action Podcast

Bob goes solo to give a point-by-point rebuttal to James Lindsay's recent essay arguing that "national divorce means national suicide." Bob argues that James employs inconsistent claims and ignores the tremendous economic boon to an independent Texas. James Lindsay's Article "National Divorce is National Suicide": https://Mises.org/HAP434a Bob's Book "Common Sense: The Case for an Independent Texa...

Academic VP of the Mises Institute, Joe Salerno, joins Bob to discuss his talk at the Supporters Summit, centering on the mainstream's focus on "rules vs. discretion" in monetary policy. Salerno explains how President Eisenhower's administration marked a pivot away from the ideology of inflation. Dr. Salerno's Talk at the 2023 Supporters Summit: https://Mises.org/HAP433a

Economist Peter St. Onge summarizes some of the major financial and government news stories of the day. Bob's Mises University Talk 'Price Inflation: Corona vs. QE': https://Mises.org/HAP432a

Bob goes solo to discuss a recent Twitter controversy, in which opponents of a proposed tax argued that unrealized capital gains couldn't possibly be a form of income. Bob cites both Austrian theory and corporate accounting practice to respond that all capital gains are income, which is not to say that they ought to be taxed. The dispute is important because understanding the definition of "income...

Economic giant Robert Solow died in December 2023. He was a Nobel laureate, and four of his PhD students went on to also receive the Nobel. He is known for the growth model named in his honor. Garett Jones of GMU joins Bob to discuss the work of Solow, focusing on the possible tension between the Solow model's conclusions about capital accumulation vis-à-vis the Austrian School.

Murray Sabrin joins Bob to discuss his upcoming online course on the economics of the US healthcare system, including practical solutions. The course begins in mid-January 2024. Dr. Sabrin's New Online Course: https://Mises.org/HAP429a IPAK-EDU.org is offering the following discounts: 50% off until Jan 6th with code: COUNTMEIN 25% off after January 6th with code: JACKSAYS75

Mises' work explains how laissez-faire economies have incentives to be peaceful with each other, and how, inversely, tariffs and protectionism create isolation, instability, and war. His words are especially prescient today as conflicts rage and tensions between superpowers continue to rise—mirroring the rise in state power across the globe. Dr. Jonathan Newman joins Bob to break down the history...

Recently Yaron Brook and Bryan Caplan debated the merits of anarchism at the Soho Forum. Bob critiques Brook's opening statement. The Soho Forum Debate: https://Mises.org/HAP419a Bob's Book on Market Anarchy, Chaos Theory: https://Mises.org/HAP419b Rothbard's Book on Natural Rights and the State, For a New Liberty: https://Mises.org/HAP419c Hans-Herman Hoppe's Book on Private Defense, The Private...

Brian Albrecht joins Bob to discuss the work of this year's Nobel (Memorial) Prize Winner Claudia Goldin, with an emphasis on the male-female wage gap. Claudia Golden and Tyler Cowan Discuss The Gender Earnings Gap: https://Mises.org/HAP418a Claudia Golden's Paper on The Pill: https://Mises.org/HAP418b More Content from Brian: https://Mises.org/HAP418c

Jonathan Newman rejoins Bob to explore more of the mechanics and political implications of the Fed's current state of insolvency. The Mercatus Article on Quantitative Easing: https://Mises.org/HAP417a Furman's Op-Ed in the WSJ: https://Mises.org/HAP417b Join us in Fort Myers on November 4 to cut through the campaign talking points and offer an uncompromising look at what is coming next. Use Code "...

Andreas Granath is a recovering socialist who discovered the truth and beauty of Austrian economics and libertarianism. He joins Bob to discuss his recent article explaining the different definitions of "inflation" and why it matters. Andreas' Mises Wire Article on CPI: https://Mises.org/HAP416a The Silly IMF Tutorial on Inflation: https://Mises.org/HAP416b Bob's Mises University Lecture on Price...

Alex Pollock has decades of experience in financial markets, including a position as President of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. He explains to Bob the mechanics of the Fed's current insolvency and its implications for ordinary Americans.

Dr. Jonathan Newman joins Bob to break down the data used in a popular productivity vs. pay graph. They show why you should be wary of charts coming from agenda-driven institutions and how you can spot manipulated data. The charts mentioned during this episode are available at: https://Mises.org/HAP414Charts Gene Epstein on the Bob Murphy Show: https://Mises.org/HAP414a The Economic Policy Institu...

Lawyers for two of the Proud Boys convicted for their role in the January 6 assault on the Capitol are filing appeals claiming that they are being subject to a "trial tax," being punished for rejecting a plea deal offer. Bob uses the occasion to explain his long-standing objection to plea deals. Article on the 'Trail Tax' Imposed on the Proud Boys: https://Mises.org/HAP413a Ex-Proud Boys Leader Se...

Ryan McMaken joins Bob to discuss the surprisingly negative reaction (from a Reason writer and Tyler Cowen) to Oliver Anthony's hit song, "Rich Men North of Richmond." Ryan and Bob defend the lyrics, arguing that Anthony doesn't say anything objectionable from either a libertarian or economic perspective. Listen to Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond": https://Mises.org/HAP412a Christian...

Peter Lewin joins Bob to discuss his work with Nicolás Cachanosky on uniting Austrian capital theory with mainstream finance. Peter's New Book on Capital and Finance: https://Mises.org/LewinBook

Peter St. Onge joins Bob to discuss his latest piece at Mises.org on "China's Doom Loop." They cover a wide range of topics, including the contrast in leadership between Xi Jinping and Deng Xiaoping, the dollar as global reserve currency, the Belt and Road Initiative, and Jim Rogers' prediction that the 21st century would belong to the Chinese empire. Peter's Article on China: https://Mises.org/HA...

Jonathan Newman joins Bob to discuss the argument being put forth by Alan Blinder, James Galbraith, and other progressive economists, who claim that the Federal Reserve's rate hikes couldn't possibly be responsible for the quelling of consumer price inflation. Jonathan and Bob stress the important role of expectations as a "transmission mechanism" from Fed policy to impacts on prices. Galbraith's...

Ryan McMaken joins Bob to discuss the recent US Women's World Cup elimination, and to dispel the myth that markets are discriminatory. After defending Megan Rapinoe's failed penalty kick, they dismantle her outspoken views on "equal pay" in sports, and examine the left's claim that law is required to fix prejudice in the labor market.

As Fed staffers no longer predict an impending recession, economists on social media are all assuring themselves that Americans are in store for a "soft landing." Mises Fellow Jonathan Newman joins Bob to explain why the data still support the case for recession and point out the eerie similarity to the calm before the storm in 2008. Robert Lucas' Nobel Prize Winning Lecture: https://Mises.org/HAP...

David Brady Jr. discusses his recent article at Mises.org, in which he argues that the newly launched "FedNOW" system isn't a CBDC. Even so, there are dangers from FedNOW, such as exacerbating bank runs. David also explains the new Mises Apprenticeship program, of which he is a member. David's Article on Mises.org: https://Mises.org/HAP406a George Selgin Cato Article on FedNow: https://Mises.org/H...

George Gammon, host of the popular Rebel Capitalist show, warns that the Fed won't have to force the public to adopt a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Instead, the public might clamor for it, being promised safe, high-interest checking accounts at the Fed, just like Jamie Dimon. The Rebel Capitalist show: https://Mises.org/HAP405a Join us in Nashville on September 23rd for a no-holds-barred...

Robbie "The Fire" Bernstein is a co-host with Dave Smith of the popular podcast Part of the Problem, as well as his own podcast Run Your Mouth. He joins Bob to walk through the shocking and hilarious moves by Biden officials to downplay recent allegations of corruption. Find More from Robbie Including His Tour Dates: https://Mises.org/HAP404a $5.1M Payment to Biden Businesses: https://Mises.org/HA...

Bob walks through a recent interview of MMT champion Warren Mosler, in which he claims that Fed rate hikes lead to larger government interest expenses and hence support economic growth and inflation. Bob presents both theoretical and empirical evidence against Mosler's claims. Bob's Debate with Warren Mosler: https://Mises.org/HAP403a Bob's Review of Stephanie Kelton: https://Mises.org/HAP403b Bob...

The Mises Institute's Executive Editor Ryan McMaken joins Bob to discuss his latest article, in which Ryan spells out the state of the M2 money supply and possible implications for consumer prices and an impending recession. Ryan's Mises.org article on M2: https://Mises.org/HAP402a Ryan's QJAE article on the inverted yield curve: https://Mises.org/HAP402b