Monetary Theory

The attempts to create a double standard of gold and silver failed lamentably.

With an inflationary or deflationary policy, a government does not promote the public welfare, the commonweal, or the interests of the whole nation

Deflationary policy is costly for the treasury and unpopular with the masses. But inflationary policy is a boon for the treasury and very popular with the ignorant. Practically, the danger of deflation is but slight and the danger of inflation tremendous.

It shouldn't come as a surprise if it eventually turns out that the real danger is, like so often in the past, inflation rather than default.

There is no "socially desirable" level of work or of saving and investment other than what individuals freely choose as desirable. And unless the case for "supply-side" economic reform is modified to reflect an argument for individual freedom, it may very well serve as a means for even greater state control over the economy and not less.

Recorded at Jekyll Island, Georgia; 27 February 2010.

State-issued money, as the "critical command post," serves to subtly reinforce the authority of the state, insidiously plunder the savings and purchasing power of its subjects, and massively manipulate the economy.

"And it is here — let's pinpoint the exact date at Greenspan's 'irrational-exuberance' call in December 1996 — where the Austrian men separate themselves from the Keynesian and Friedmanite boys."

Finally, the most interesting aspect of the giant credit-card industry is the simple fact that it works.

Presented by Rothbard at New York Polytechnic University in 1972.