How Government Propped Up Slavery

In this episode of the Human Action Podcast, Bob welcomes guest Joshua Mawhorter to discuss his recent article on the role of government in sustaining slavery. The conversation covers several key points, including slave patrols, fugitive slave laws, manumission restrictions, and constitutional subsidies. Mawhorter argues that slavery persisted largely due to government intervention rather than free-market mechanisms and highlights the inefficiencies and extensive costs associated with maintaining the institution. They also touch on modern discussions of reparations and the historical patterns of slavery’s abolition in other countries.

• Josh’s Mises Wire Article, “Governments Had a Major Role in Sustaining Slavery”: Mises.org/HAP465a
• Mark Thornton, “Slavery, Profitability, and the Market Process”: Mises.org/HAP465b
• Jeffrey Hummel, “The Political Economy of Slavery, Secession, and Emancipation”: Mises.org/HAP465c
• Jeffrey Hummel, “U.S. Slavery and Economic Thought”: Mises.org/HAP465d
• Alan Olmstead, “Cotton, Slavery, and the New History of Capitalism”: Mises.org/HAP465e

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