The Fed’s Inflation Is behind the Supply Chain Mess
It seems supporters of the Biden administration finally settled on a narrative they like for explaining away supply chain shortages. Here’s the administration’s talking point: the US economy is rolling along so well that Americans are demanding huge amounts of goods.
Where Does Social Order Come From? Not the State.
Order and chaos (complete disorder) have long bookended people’s view of their circumstances. For instance, I have read that order versus chaos was the primary division in ancient Egyptian religion, where order also meant justice and chaos meant injustice. Much
Governments Love Inflation, and They Won’t Do Anything to Stop It
In spite of what they say, governments will do nothing about inflation. Even though "money printing" is the real cause of this, governments will just keep blaming red herrings like supply chain problems. Original Article: "Governments Love Inflation, and They Won't
How the West Pushed back the Frontiers of Death
Thanks to capital accumulation and other innovations in the West, life expectancy grew beyond anything previously imagined. The benefits spread from there. Original Article: "How the West Pushed back the Frontiers of Death" This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored by Christopher
Three Reasons to Start Taking Secession Seriously
Last month, the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia released a new study which showed that, at least among those polled, “roughly 4 in 10 (41%) of Biden and half (52%) of Trump voters at least somewhat agree
Will Price Controls Make a Comeback?
Since the pandemic started, we have seen major imbalances to supply and demand in the global markets. Supply chain disruptions due to lockdowns and other regulations, restrictions in travel, trade and businesses shutting down while at the same time we
Venezuelans Turn to Gold Nuggets as the Local Currency Implodes
The Venezuelan government recently lopped off six zeros from its hyperinflating currency, the bolivar. The highest denomination currency note of 1 million bolivars, worth less than $.25, was replaced by a one-bolivar note. At the same time, a 100-bolivar note,
How Science So Often Devolves into Quick Fixes and Quackery
Open a popular magazine of your choice, or even the newspaper of record, and you’ll find a lot of fascinating claims seemingly backed by scientific aura. Eat this superfood and you’ll be healthy; do this minor thing every day and
Protectionism Is Immoral, Unjust, and Corrupt
Protectionism is reviving in Washington on both sides of the political aisle. Democrats are cheering proposals to restrict trade to benefit labor unions and save the environment while some Republicans are reviving Smoot-Hawley style salvation schemes. Protectionist advocates routinely seize
Why the Fed’s 2 Percent Inflation Standard Is So Bad
Fed chairman Jerome Powell is increasingly under fire for his apparently inability to take inflation seriously or admit it may be more than “transitory.” There’s been much talk of tapering the Fed’s enormous asset purchases, yet—as is typical for the