Here in the West, particularly in countries such as the United States and Canada, we have experienced radical political and cultural changes over the past several years, and the pace of these changes seems to have accelerated since 2020. In the minds of many, there is an almost palpable feeling that a switch has been thrown and that the relationship between citizens and the state has been permanently altered. Perhaps the most salient revelation in the wake of these...
Read More »Dollar Gains Extended, Oil Steadies at Higher Levels after Saudi’s Cut, US Bill Deluge Begins Today
Overview: The US dollar has extended its post-employment gains today, helped by firmer rates and several countries seeing downward revisions from the preliminary May PMI. The greenback is trading with a firmer bias against all the G10 currencies and most of the emerging market currencies, including Turkey, India, and China. July WTI gapped higher after the Saudi Arabia announced a voluntary and unilateral cut of one million barrels a day in output starting next...
Read More »“Inflation it is not an act of God”
INTERVIEW WITH GODFREY BLOOM: Over the last couple of years, the UK has been increasingly in the news – for all the wrong reasons. The cost of living crisis, in particular, has been monopolizing headlines at home and abroad. Of course, inflation is by no means unique to the country. To the contrary, it has been hovering at similar or higher levels in virtually all advanced economies for quite some time. What is unique to the UK though, is that mainstream...
Read More »The Five Stages of Bank Failure Grief
We are familiar with the five stages of grief. However, it is not a stretch to apply those stages to what is happening to the banking system. Right now, we are in the second stage: anger. Original Article: "The Five Stages of Bank Failure Grief" [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter
Read More »Crowding Out: The Fed May Be Killing the Private Sector to Save the Government
A "soft landing" is impossible unless the government cuts both taxes and government spending at the same time interest rates are rising. This won't happen, so get ready for a hard landing. Original Article: "Crowding Out: The Fed May Be Killing the Private Sector to Save the Government" [embedded content] Tags:...
Read More »Bank of England Economist: Britons Need to Accept That They’re Poorer
Although the Bank of England is largely responsible for inflation in the UK, its leaders blame British consumers and workers for the price increases. Original Article: "Bank of England Economist: Britons Need to Accept That They’re Poorer" [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter
Read More »Week Ahead: Australia and Canada–Hawkish Hold? US Bill Issuance Jumps
True to the historic pattern, the US debt ceiling was used by the party not in control of the executive branch to exact spending concessions. Despite the extreme partisanship, the brinkmanship tactics, and fears that this time would be different, there was no default. As Bismarck once quipped, "Laws are like sausages and it is best not seen them being made." Still, as a consequence, the rebuilding of the Treasury's account and bill issuance is seen tightening...
Read More »Energy Prices
While talk of high gas prices is no longer a headline issue, energy economics is still a vitally important aspect of understanding the economy, including the business cycle. Mark explains the basics, tells us where we now stand, and what the major implications are for the near future. Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues. [embedded content]...
Read More »Coto Mixto: Anarchy in Galicia
A concrete example of an anarchic order existed within Spain, on the current border between Spain and Portugal, in the kingdoms of Castilla and Galicia. By “anarchy” I mean the abolition of centralized power, not the abolition of authority as leftists conceive it to be. One such regime was called Coto Mixto. It was a small territory located in the basin of the Salas River. Coto Mixto’s residents avoided the control of Spain and Portugal from approximately 1143 to...
Read More »Property Rights, Civilization, and Their Enemies
[This article is adapted from a lecture delivered at the Reno Mises Circle in Reno, Nevada. on May 20, 2023.] It is not an exaggeration to say that property rights are a prerequisite for civilization. As Ludwig von Mises wrote in The Free and Prosperous Commonwealth: Private property creates for the individual a sphere in which he is free of the state. It sets limits to the operation of the authoritarian will. It allows other forces to arise side by side with and in...
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