According to the latest polls, Europeans are expected to vote for political forces leaning toward the right side of the spectrum, often with euro-skeptic tendencies. We are talking about nine member states where these forces might emerge victorious, and another nine where they are projected to secure second and third positions. So, what path has the European Union taken to cause such significant dissatisfaction and a desire for such a radical change for the first...
Read More »China Returns, the US is on Holiday, and the Dollar Consolidates
Overview: US markets are closed for President's Day, while China's markets re-opened from the long Lunar New Year holiday. Mainland stocks advanced, while the yuan slipped slightly. The US dollar is mostly softer but in narrow ranges. The Antipodeans and yen lead, while the Swiss franc the only G10 currency that is slightly softer. Most emerging market currencies are lower, led by about a 0.5% loss of the South African rand. The Mexican peso's and South Korean won's...
Read More »Legacies of Injustice and Racial Inequality
Progressives argue that free markets stand in the way of economic and racial equality. In fact, free markets are the only vehicle that can help make people more equal. Original Article: Legacies of Injustice and Racial Inequality [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter
Read More »Understanding the Trump Phenomenon: It’s Not What the Elites Think
Political and economic elites predicted a doomsday scenario when Trump was elected in 2016, but the reality of his presidency didn’t come close to matching the apocalyptic rhetoric that accompanied it. Original Article: Understanding the Trump Phenomenon: It's Not What the Elites Think [embedded content] Tags:...
Read More »An Open Letter to Walter E. Block
Block’s call for total war and the indiscriminate slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza is the complete and uninhibited rejection and renunciation of the nonaggression principle that constitutes one of the very cornerstones of the Rothbardian system. Original Article: An Open Letter to Walter E. Block [embedded content]...
Read More »Fiscal Rules Do Not Undermine Investment, But Government Profligacy Does
In the wake of the financial meltdown fifteen years ago, some countries placed strict limits on piling on public debt. Despite cries that this harms investment opportunities, the ”debt brakes” have worked well. Original Article: Fiscal Rules Do Not Undermine Investment, But Government Profligacy Does [embedded content]...
Read More »The Fed vs. the Real Economy
In the old days, the Federal Reserve operated in obscurity "behind the curtain". Today, they are front-and-center for the stock market. Total credit card debt in the US is now over $1.1 Trillion. In this episode, Mark looks at the disconnect between the Fed, the stock market (featured in the last episode), and the Real Economy. Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues. Get your free copy of Dr. Guido Hülsmann's How Inflation Destroys...
Read More »Week Ahead: China Returns and Flash PMI Featured after US Rate Adjustment was Extended
The US January CPI and PPI came in stronger than expected and this extended the recovery in US interest rates. In turn that helped underpin the dollar. We do not think the data itself changes the Fed’s stance. At least seven Fed officials speaking in the coming days will test this hypothesis. There are still several key reports before the data dependent FOMC meets again in about four weeks. Owing to the different weights and methodology, the PCE deflator, which the...
Read More »Human Rights and the Public Good
Natural rights are often regarded with deep suspicion by lawyers and economists, who are wary of the wild and extravagant demands framed in the language of human rights. A good example is the United Nation’s list of fundamental human rights, which Antony Flew derides as absurd in “Could There Be Universal Natural Rights?”: “A right to social security” (Article 22) . . . “the right to . . . periodic holidays with pay” (Article 24) . . . “the right to a standard of...
Read More »The Western Ruling Elite: Its Development and Its Betrayal
The Western ruling elite has become oligarchic in nature; its political and economic influence is disproportionate and even harmful to society. It is necessary, therefore, to review its historical evolution and expose its current goals. Firstly, it must be recognized that it is natural and necessary for society to have an elite. Murray Rothbard wrote about the ideal of “natural aristocrats” who “live in freedom and harmony with their fellows, and rise by exercising...
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