Forget the Liquidity Trap—Loose Monetary Policies Cause Recessions
Advocates of Keynesian economics believe the Federal Reserve should pursue policies that will prevent the possible decline of the economy into a liquidity trap. But what is a liquidity trap? Economic activity often is presented in terms of a circular flow
Lifting the Debt Ceiling Is Not a Social Policy
Every time the United States reaches its debt limit, we read that it is important to reach an agreement to lift it. The narrative is that the debt ceiling must be raised, or the US economy will suffer a severe contraction.
Does Government Create a “Level Playing Field” or Does It Make the Field More Uneven?
Anticapitalist politicians claim intervention can "level the playing field," but when we look closely, we realize that government itself creates the imbalances. Original Article: "Does Government Create a "Level Playing Field" or Does It Make the Field More Uneven?" This Audio Mises Wire
Bipartisan Comprehensive Excuses for Extortion and Evasion
After the recent midterm election, when it became apparent that Americans would have a divided new Congress, it wasn’t long before the word bipartisan started showing up as an adjective to modify a whole host of legislative proposals and discussions.
How Markets Are Better than Government Regulators at Fighting Corporate Corruption
Can private markets only be regulated by government? Hindenburg Research's successes against corporate corruption suggest otherwise. Original Article: "How Markets Are Better than Government Regulators at Fighting Corporate Corruption" This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored by Christopher Condon.
Poor People in Developing Countries Find Alternatives to Commercial Banking
Banking is a complicated process for working-class people who fail to comply with anti–money laundering regulations. Know your customer (KYC) requirements mandate prospective clients to provide their source of funding and possible employment history. Such policies make it difficult for working-class entrepreneurs
Subsidizing Higher Education Is Not Creating Widespread External Benefits
Contrary to the claim that taxpayer subsidies for higher education provide great social benefits, these subsidies actually are a wealth transfer from the less-well-off to wealthy people. Original Article: "Subsidizing Higher Education Is Not Creating Widespread External Benefits" This Audio Mises Wire is
The Fed’s Portfolio Is Nonexistent: The Fed Does Not Invest. It Destroys Investments
Economists and pundits mistakenly call the Federal Reserve System's security holdings a portfolio. It is anything but. Original Article: "The Fed’s Portfolio Is Nonexistent: The Fed Does Not Invest. It Destroys Investments" This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored by Christopher Condon.
Why Madison and Hamilton Were Wrong about Republics
The debate between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists in the late eighteenth century was fundamentally a debate over whether or not Americans wanted or needed a large national state. Thus, in their effort to push ratification of the new constitution, the Federalists
How Fast Should the Money Supply Grow?
As Murray Rothbard wrote, inflation is not an increase in prices. It is, instead, an increase in the supply of money in circulation. The distinction is important. Original Article: "How Fast Should the Money Supply Grow?" This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored