Political Theory

Recorded at the Mises Circle in Seattle, 14 September 2019. Includes an introduction by Jeff Deist.

The resurgent claim that the modern economy was built on slavery is yet another attempt to attack capitalism while also claiming "we are all to blame" for slavery. The slave owners of old tried a very similar tactic.

"Libertarianism" is very much a part of what is now known as "classical" liberalism — the influential free-market ideology of the nineteenth century whose effects and legacy are still felt today.

"Libertarianism" is very much a part of what is now known as "classical" liberalism — the influential free-market ideology of the nineteenth century whose effects and legacy are still felt today.

Among themselves, libertarians often see important dividing lines among various factions in terms of social views and lifestyles. But most on the outside define libertarianism as being overwhelmingly for one thing: excessive and "dogmatic" devotion to free markets.

The last thing we need is a government "solution" to corporate efforts to crush speech and dissenting opinions. Answers lie in the marketplace.

"Herein lies the key to changing society — changing public opinion or people's preferences toward government. And the only way people are likely to change their preferences is through education and persuasion; force is ineffective."

Austrian monetary thought can be traced back right to the very founding father of monetary economics, the great Nicholas Oresme, the 14th century Bishop of Lisieux.

"If the self is the real property of the individual, force may be employed to repel the force that would take from an individual this special bit of property in himself."