- Libertarian Political Philosophy, i.e. Legal theory of the Law
- History
- Economics
- /s/libertarian Wiki Page
- Introduction
- Highly Recommended: E for Everyone
- Principles: The Foundations of Liberty
- Voluntaryism: The AnCap Philosophy
- Application: Libertarianism in Action
- Economics: Why Liberty Works
- Epistemology: How We Know Things
- Praxeological Law: The Rules of Action
- Capitalism: The Pure Market Economy
- Interventionism: The Hampered Market
- "Alternative" Econ: Mistaken Approaches
- Historical Works: Libertarians Past
- Purity Test: Libertarians Present
- Strategy for Liberty: Libertarians Future
- Liberty and Religion: Church vs State
- Comedy: Make 'Em Laugh
- Fictional Works: Stories of Freedom
- Advanced: Getting Serious
- Shows, Podcasts, and other Resources
- /r/libertarian FAQ
r/Hoppeanism and r/Natural_Order wiki page
Intro: Mainstream, [post] Keynesian, and Neoclassical economics is pseudo science.
Walter Block and William Barnett have a great article on this here.
Austrian Economics and praxeology are the only real economic science. Next, I would like to address the David Friedman problem. He rejects natural law, natural rights, the NAP, and Hoppean Argumentation ethics. Walter Block refutes David Friedman here. Friedman's utilitarianism can only complement natural law, rights, because it alone stands on nothing. To give a perspective, Murray Rothbard roasts and crushes David Friedman here.
Cato Insitute, Institute for Justice, and Reason Magazine all left/progressive libertarian think tanks and organizations. They all receive funding from the Koch brothers.
A good reading for the libertarian culture wars between paleo-libertarianism and modal or Left-libertarianism is this piece by David Gordon:
Jeffrey Cucker is one of the cucks and leftists.
Also, Hayek had good economic works(some originated from Mises), his political philosophy was muddled and unclear. Here is Hoppe refuting it at the annual Property and Freedom Society.
Steven Horwitz is an idiot. See Walter Block on this.
Remember, libertarian political philosophy is about the LAW, not morals/morality.
Libertarian Political Philosophy, i.e. Legal theory of the Law
For a New Liberty by Murray Rothbard
Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard
Economics and Ethics of Private Property by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
The Myth of National Defense by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
Natural Elites, Intellectuals, and the State by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
Defending the Undefendable By Walter Block
Defending the Undefendable 2 By Walter Block
Building Block for Liberty By Walter Block
Against Intellectual Property By Stephen N. Kinsella
Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard
Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature and Other Essays By Murray Rothbard
Anarchy and the Law by Edward Stringham
Bureacracy by Ludwig von Mises
The Enterprise of Law: Justice without the State by Bruce L. Benson
History
A Short History of Man by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
Against Leviathan by Robert Higgs
America's Great Depression by Murray Rothbard
The Progressive Era by Murray Rothbard
Economics
Man, Economy, and State by Murray Rothbard
The Theory of Money and Credit by Mises
The Ultimate Foundation of Economic Science: An Essay on Method by Mises
A Theory of Socialism and Capitalism by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar by Murray Rothbard
The Privatization of Roads and Highways: Human and Economic Factors by Walter Block
The Historical Setting of the Austrian School of Economics by Ludwig von Mises
Equality is bullshit. Hierarchy is essential. The races are different. The sexes are different. Morality matters and degeneracy is real. All cultures are not equal and we are not obligated to think they are. Man is a fallen creature and there is more to life than hollow materialism. Finally, the white race matters, and civilization is precious.
Resources
An Annotated Bibliography by Hans Hoppe of Anarcho-Capitalism!
Books
Democracy - The God that Failed by Hans-Hermann Hoppe
For A New Liberty by Murray Rothbard (He is the founder of anarcho-capitalism)
Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard
A Spontaneous Order by Chase Rachels(Short one but very good)
These four books should get you started.
Walter Block Refutes David Friedman
Walter Block on the Continuum Problem
Rothbard solves "pollution problem" with private property rights
Websites:
Scientific Journals
Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics
Clubs or Academic Conferences
Austrian Economics Research Conference
Mises University(for students)
Youtube Sources
Hans Hoppe: A Private Law Society at Mises Brasil
s/Libertarian Wiki Page
/s/libertarian Wiki Page
Introduction
Hello and, again, welcome to the /s/libertarian resource wiki page! We hope your brief stay in the other articles has been a pleasant one. Your questions have been processed, and we are now ready to begin the page proper.
This is page is dedicated as a list of resources for anyone who has questions about and wants to learn more about the libertarian philosophy!
Also, I've put the resources I think are especially worth looking at in bold, so if you want to skip the "light-weight" stuff just skip on to that. Keep in mind though, light-weight stuff does usually provide a good introduction to a concept, so there is absolutely benefit to checking that out as well.
If you're new to the libertarian philosophy, try taking this political quiz to see how close you already are! Many people are stuck in the "liberal-conservative" mindset with those as their only two choices, but there are really a wide-variety of political options, and you may be closer to libertarianism than you think! Try taking this short political quiz:
The World's Smallest Political Quiz
If you're a libertarian already, then that's great! Welcome to the team, and I hope you enjoy the resources provided here!
If you found yourself going more to the left or right though, here are some short videos that might interest you:
Why Should Liberals/Social Democrats Like Libertarian Ideas?
Why Should Conservatives Like Libertarian Ideas?
Highly Recommended: E for Everyone
This section is dedicated to some great libertarian resources, ranging from essays to treatises to even comics. Some are serious analysis, others are concepts being explained expertly and simply. If you haven't seen any of these, as the title to this section suggests, I highly recommend taking a look.
As I mentioned before, I will also be putting other great works in this collection in bold, but these are the works that I think everyone can and should tackle. So keep in mind that these are not necessarily the best resources out there. In fact, I can guarantee that there are other many works that are more important and give much deeper insight that are not in this section. However, these are still some of the best sources here and should be understandable to someone even completely unfamiliar with the libertarian philosophy.
The Philosophy of Liberty - The basics of libertarian philosophy brilliantly and simply laid out. See the old version here.
The Law by Frederic Bastiat. This is a must read and will teach you the heart of libertarianism, primarily on it's view of what law is, what distinguishes legitimate acts and crimes, and how the law itself has time and time again been perverted into committing the very crimes the law was originally instituted to prevent.
For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto by Murray Rothbard - This work really does deserve the title of the libertarian manifesto. Rothbard lays out the libertarian position and how it applies to a wide variety of issues. I'll post individual chapter sections that are particularly relevant throughout the "application" section.
Anatomy of the State - by Murray Rothbard - An explanation of what the state is not, what it is, and how it functions. This essay was a game-changer for me, putting into words all the ideas I've always held but could never quite put into words. This essay is to the state what The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism was to Big Brother in 1984. It very plainly and clearly unveils the true nature of government. Audio versions of Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. Here's a full audio read-through.
Liberalism: In the Classical Tradition by Ludwig von Mises - Written in 1927, this is one of the last works written when "liberal" meant a supporter of "liberty", rooting the whole libertarian philosophy in the notion of property, and showing how ultimately a free market is the only possible, as socialism necessarily leads to chaos and interventionism is inherently unstable.
How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't by Irwin Schiff - A comic about cavemen that invent economic interaction, going from there to developing a more modern economy, and how the government messes this all up. Video version.
Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt - Inspired by Bastiat, Hazlitt explains the economics behind some key political issues. Accompanying video series version by Amanda BillyRock, which is currently ongoing!
Capitalism in One Lesson - An analysis of what capitalism is and links to many more resources for learning more.
Time Will Run Back by Henry Hazlitt - A fiction story in which the world has been taken over by socialism, and the son of the dictator of the Won World Government (obvious pun is obvious) is suddenly thrust into a position of power in which he accidentally rediscovers capitalism step by step once he finds no problem with allowing his subjects to exchange their ration tickets.
What Has Government Done to Our Money? by Murrary Rothbard - One of the best non-treatise works on money I know of! An explanation of what money is, how it develops and works in a free market, the effects and motivations for government intervention in the monetary sphere, and a brief history of money in western culture. This is also often partnered with The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar.
Bureaucracy by Ludwig von Mises- Mises explains why private property leads to economic calculation, and all deviations away from private property (i.e. all government agencies and interference) leads to bureaucracy as the only alternative method of dealing with scarcity. This is getting a bit more into theoretical territory and into economics that some readers may find more difficult, although Mises does a great job at explaining everything here.
No Treason by Lysander Spooner - A brilliant legal analysis of the U.S. Constitution as a binding contract. Possibly the greatest argument against this "social contract" ever written. It presumes a bit more than minimum acquaintance with legal theory and practice on the part of its readers, making it probably the hardest work on this list, but it is well worth it.
Principles: The Foundations of Liberty
The principles of a philosophy are the pillars that everything else rests upon. The principle that libertarianism rests upon is the idea of "self-ownership", that one has a property in their own person. This concepts implies another principle called the "non-aggression principle" (also referred to as the non-aggression axiom). We believe that it is inherently illegitimate to initiate the use of force against the person or property of another person, regardless of whether you're an individual acting as a criminal, or a large group of men calling themselves "the state". Or to put it briefly, libertarianism is about individual liberty.
- Short and Simple
These are quick, introductory and easily consumable links on some key lessons of libertarianism.
The Philosophy of Liberty - Updated version! The basics of libertarian philosophy brilliantly and simply laid out. See the old version here. Highly recommended.
The Philosophy of Liberty: Property - Have you ever asked the question of "who owns you"? Unrelated to the video above of a similar name.
The Philosophy of Liberty: Plunder - If vikings hire the mafia to steal your TV, is it still illegal? Absolutely related to the video immediately above.
Free Will and Human Dignity: A Love Story by Learn Liberty - If someone is robbed of their ability to choose, are they still fully human?
Pirates and Emperors - An ancient roman parable told in "Schoolhouse Rock!" style.
The Non-Aggression Principle - A song about coercion and when it is and is not appropriate.
Make Mine Freedom - A 1948 cartoon about the importance of freedom and the free enterprise system.
You are a Slave to the Government - A beautiful talk on governmental tyranny.
Milton Friedman: The Essence of the Capitalism - Friedman beautifully describes how society and markets bring into harmony the interest of all people.
Milton Friedman - Greed - Isn't capitalism just basing society on selfishness and greed?
The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible by Ken Schoolland- Libertarian morals told as parables in a similar style to Pilgrim's Progress! The top Philosophy of Liberty video was based on a section of this book.
30 Day Reading List Challenge - While you read everything else here, you might also like to try this challenge! It'll cover a nice mix of libertarian issues itself and will help give you a broader understanding.
The Bastiat Collection by Frederic Bastiat - A collection of Bastiat's greatest works, offering a fiery defense of liberty and showing how freedom creates economic harmony. Bastiat always wrote in an easy to understand and usually shortly worded style, so while this pdf is pretty long for a "short and simple" collection, it really is just a big collection of short works, and posting this is preferable than posting each work individually.
- The State
The libertarian regards the State as the supreme, the eternal, the best organized aggressor against the persons and property of the mass of the public. All States everywhere, whether democratic, dictatorial, or monarchical, whether red, white, blue, or brown. Always and ever the government and its rulers and operators have been considered above the general moral law. The libertarian refuses to stand for such injustice and demands both his own freedom and the freedom of all others.
Government by Frederic Bastiat - Bastiat gives one of my personal favorite definitions of the state: "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else." Beautiful.
Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard - An explanation of what the state is not, what it is, and how it functions. This essay was a game-changer for me, putting into words all the ideas I've always held but could never quite put into words. This essay is to the state what The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism was to Big Brother in 1984. It very plainly and clearly unveils the true nature of government. Audio versions of Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. Here's a full audio read-through. Highly Recommended.
Identity of the State by Murray Rothbard - How the libertarian views the state, applying to them the same rules he applies to everyone else, and consequently believes the state to be evil.
The Government is Not Us by Murray Rothbard - How can the government be dictatorial? We are the government!
Who is the State? by Murray Rothbard - Who composes the state? What does this mean for taxpayers?
Our Enemy, the State by Albert Jay Nock - One of the great classics in defining the differences between the state and society. Jeff Tucker approved!
The State by Franz Oppenheimer - An under-appreciated classic of the true nature of the state as a group not established by some mythical "social contract", but by force, like any other gang of bandits.
- Approaches
Libertarianism has been defended as a position for several different reasons. We are all united in our love of liberty and hatred of tyranny, but why we all love liberty varies from person to person. Some people support it because they want a logically consistent philosophy. Others support it because libertarianism results in a prosperous and harmonious society. Others support it because they see it as the the only system consistent with our very nature as human beings. This section will briefly cover a few of the main approaches.
Keep in mind though, even if you prefer one approach to the other, I only put the best of the best on this list. Regardless of your position, these are worth going through. After all, there's no reason one can't have multiple reasons for loving liberty.
Where Do Rights Come From by Thomas Woods Jr. - The definition of rights, a history of the conception of rights, and an overview of the general defense of individual rights.
Natural Rights
The natural rights (aka natural law) position believes that man's unique place as the "rational animal" allows him to logically deduce binding rules of moral behavior. As these rules are inherent to man's nature, all men are bound by these laws. It will often cite God as the ultimate granter of these rights, as God would be granting humanity their nature in the first place, but the natural rights argument does not necessarily need to involve God. The very act of being alive implies that one must adopt a philosophy of life and not one of death, and the dichotomy is "give me liberty or give me death" for a reason. The natural rights approach essentially argues for libertarianism because liberty itself is something worth holding onto and fighting for.
The Law by Frederic Bastiat. This is a must read and will teach you the heart of libertarianism, primarily on it's view of what law is, what distinguishes legitimate acts and crimes, and how the law itself has time and time again been perverted into committing the very crimes the law was originally instituted to prevent. Highly recommended.
Why We Have Rights by Christian Michel - Why the social animal of man must learn to respect the rights of others.
How We Come To Own Ourselves by Stephan Kinsella - A look at first use and the rights of parents and their "ownership" of their children.
The Declaration of Independence - The document that officially stated the colonies' intention to secede from the British Empire. It argues in the tradition of John Locke that the purpose of the law is to secure our natural rights which "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" entitle us, and that any government that fails in these respects may be altered or abolished.
For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto by Murray Rothbard - This work really does deserve the title of the libertarian manifesto. Rothbard lays out the libertarian position and how it applies to a wide variety of issues. I'll post individual chapter sections that are particularly relevant throughout the "application" section. Highly recommended.
Introduction to Natural Law by Murray Rothbard - The first five chapters of The Ethics of Liberty lays out what natural law essentially is and how it is used.
The Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard's greatest contribution to the politics of freedom. A masterpiece of argumentation.
The Science of Justice by Lysander Spooner - Spooner talks of some implications of self-ownership.
Vices are Not Crimes by Lysander Spooner - The distinction between morality and legality.
Also see "Two Treatise of Government" by John Locke below.
Utilitarian
From a study of economics, one can learn of the great productive potential of a free market and the horrible chaos, war, and death that results from abandoning this system. The utilitarian approach essentially argues for libertarianism because of the wonderful prosperity that results from a free society.
Liberalism: In the Classical Tradition by Ludwig von Mises - Written in 1927, this is one of the last works written when "liberal" meant a supporter of "liberty", rooting the whole libertarian philosophy in the notion of property, and showing how ultimately a free market is the only possible, as socialism necessarily leads to chaos and interventionism is inherently unstable. Highly recommended.
In Defense of Mises Utilitarianism by Daniel J. Sanchez - Some people see utilitarianism as a dirty word, simply a disguise for betraying moral principles. Mises showed that that is not necessarily the case at all.
The Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek - A fantastic book to the socialists of all parties as to why each step away from the free market necessarily leads towards totalitarian dictatorships. A great work, although not without its faults as was outlined here by Walter Block.
The Need for General Rules by Henry Hazlitt - An excerpt from the book below, Hazlit explains why, even from a utilitarian perspective, developing principles of morality and action is important for trying to figure out how to act on a day-to-day basis.
The Foundations of Morality by Henry Hazlitt - Hazlitt's argument for "rules-utilitarianism", and why getting the best results possible requires logically consistent moral behavior. Hazlitt considered this book his most important lifetime contribution.
Argumentation Ethics
Certainly one of the most innovative approaches to libertarianism! The idea of argumentation ethics, as developed by Hans-Hermann Hoppe, is that if someone engages in an argument with someone else, certain premises must first be accepted, mainly the self-ownership of the person you are arguing with. This means that anyone who disagrees with libertarianism arguing against is caught in a performative contradiction, proving a priori that libertarianism has been already accepted as true. Essentially, this means that libertarianism is literally the only intellectually defensible position, as anyone who argues against libertarianism must first accept its initial premises to be true. Reaction has been split in the libertarian community, so I'll divide this up into "pro" and con" as well.
In Favor
The A Priori of Argumentation by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - Hoppe sums up the essential argument that argumentation ethics makes.
Argumentation Ethics Collection - Hoppe's own collection of sources related to argumentation ethics from his website.
Argumentation Ethics and Liberty: A Concise Guide by Stephan Kinsella - A brief guide as to what argumentation ethics is.
Beyond Is and Ought by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard's love-letter for argumentation ethics when he first saw it developed.
Hoppe's Argumentation Ethics, Again by Jeffrey Tucker - Tucker emphasizes the importance scarcity plays a role in developing argumentation ethics.
Rejoinder to Murphy and Callahan on Hoppe's Argumentation Ethics by Walter Block - Block replies to Murphy and Callahan's critique, as seen below.
In Opposition
Hans-Hermann Hoppe's Argumentation Ethics: A Critique by Robert Murphy and Gene Callahan - A few objections raised against argumentation ethics and some counterexamples that show adopting libertarian principles is not necessarily implied (although Murphy and Callahan do themselves accept libertarian principles).
The Hoppriori Argument by Roderick Long - Long presents the essential premises of Hoppe's argumentation ethics and why he does not believe these premises to necessarily be true.
More in-depth "greats" are put in the "Advanced" section below!
Voluntaryism: The AnCap Philosophy
Voluntaryism, a.k.a. "anarcho-capitalism", is a subset of general libertarianism that seeks to make all human relationships voluntary. It believes that a consistently holding to the non-aggression principle leads to the conclusion that the state is inherently illegitimate, even in its "smallest" form, as it is still holding a coercive monopoly over the production of law and is still funded by taxation, which is simply theft by another name. Governments are merely a gang of bandits writ large. It would rather see the production of security handled privately and voluntarily and believes that the free market in security will produce better results here just as it produces better results everywhere else.
- Short and Simple
Law Without Government - An easy to understand description of why the existence of law does not require a "law monopolist".
Why Libertarianism is Dangerous - The "horrors" of anarchy! A good comedic sketch on the worst case scenario of freedom. Highly recommended.
You Didn't Consent To Be The State's Victim by Walter Block - Believe it or not, using roads and not moving to Somalia are not signs that the state is permitted to do anything and everything it wants to you.
Government Explained - A conversation between an alien and a man, who assumes that he should take the alien to "our leader".
The Tale of the Slave by Robert Nozick - Does voting turn slaves into free men? Audio version.
Society Without A State by Murray Rothbard - The definition of an anarchist society and how it can work.
If You Were King by Larken Rose - How would you fix the world if you were king? It'd be easy, right?
You Can Always Leave - How can government be tyrannical if you're free to leave the country?
The Machinery of Freedom: Illustrated Guide by David Friedman - How can private security companies relate to each other? Won't that just result in constant war?
For a New Liberty: Answering the Warring Defense Providers Objection by Murray Rothbard - Is war between private security companies better than war between states?
But Wouldn't Warlords Take Over? by Robert Murphy - Won't anarchy just result in another state to fill the "power vacuum"?
For a New Liberty: Outlaw Protectors by Murray Rothbard - What about corrupt or criminal market courts? Won't the rich take over?
Won't the rich or gangs take over? by Walter Block - Why the concept of "legitimacy" is important for professional thieves.
Top 10 Reasons Why the Mafia Would Be Better Than the State - This one's self explanatory and awesome.
The Social Contract Defined and Destroyed in Under 5 Minutes by Stefan Molyneux - Aren't we all bound contractually to the state?
Common Argument Topics - A few basic common objections addressed.
- Intermediate
Power and Market, Chapter 1; Defense Services on the Free Market by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard analyzes how a market may be established for security services. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
For a New Liberty: Police, Law, and the Courts by Murray Rothbard- How can law ever be handled privately?
The State is Not Great by Jacob Spinney - A general overview of anarcho-capitalism.
The Market for Security by Robert Murphy - A more in-depth look into how a security market can function, including discussions on national security and a prison system.
The Problem of Political Authority by Michael Huemer - Why are acts that are illegal for you and me legal for the state? Recommended by Bryan Caplan.
Property and the Social Order by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - Hoppe explains why private property rights are ultimately the only way to avoid conflict over resources in society.
The Myth of National Defense - A collection of essays on the theory and history of security production.
Chaos Theory by Robery Murphy - A look at private law, defense, and the importance of insurance in handling legal affairs.
- AnCap Greats
The Production of Security by Gustave de Molinari - The first anarcho-capitalist book ever written (although the term anarcho-capitalism came later). A great first read for anyone interested in transitioning oter to anarcho-capitalism. Talks about matters in a very easy to understand manner. Highly recommended.
No Treason - A brilliant legal analysis of the U.S. Constitution and why it should is not a legally binding contract. Possibly the greatest argument against this "social contract" ever written. Highly recommended.
The Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard's other great work on libertarian principle besides For a New Liberty. This one takes a much more systematic approach.
The Machinery of Freedom by David Friedman - The original book on which the "illustrated summary" above was based! An analysis of how free market defense companies might function.
Application: Libertarianism in Action
- General
"The program of [classical] liberalism, therefore, if condensed into a single word, would have to read: property, that is, private ownership of the means of production (for in regard to commodities ready for consumption, private ownership is a matter of course and is not disputed even by the socialists and communists). All the other demands of liberalism result from this fundamental demand."
- Ludwig von Mises, Liberalism
For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto by Murray Rothbard - This work really does deserve the title of the libertarian manifesto. Rothbard lays out the libertarian position and how it applies to a wide variety of issues. I'll post individual chapter sections that are particularly relevant throughout the "application" section.
Defending the Undefendable by Walter Block - Block looks at different occupations that are frowned upon in society, but are consistent with libertarian principle.
The Mises Wiki - A wiki on Austrian Economics and general libertarianism! It'll cover most issues you see here, so check it out if you want to brush up on something.
Also see the "Principles " section, as most of those works speak on a wide variety of topics themselves.
- Advertisements
Advertising is often condemned as one of the great evils of the modern world, but on what principle can the government intervene with people's lives because some people can speak persuasively? What benefit is there to allowing free speech in business?
Behind the scenes at a McDonald's photo shoot - A video in which a marketer explains the essential differences they make between a quarter-pounder with cheese you buy at a store and the ones they make for advertising. Interesting to see how un-faked it is.
Defending the Undefendable - The Advertiser by Walter Block - Free speech is good and all, but what if someone uses a pretty lady to try and sell their product?
Man, Economy, and State - Ch 12.10.B Professor Galbraith and the Sin of Affluence by Murray Rothbard - A critique of Galbraith's The Affluent Society, a book filled with economic errors, one of the more prominent ones being the idea that businesses can "create" consumer demands out of thin air, and that somehow the same actions when done by the state are exceptions to this rule.
Human Action - Business Propaganda by Ludwig von Mises - Mises Explains the vital role advertising plays in informing consumers and the role it plays in economics. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Also see "Free Speech" section.
- Deflation
Deflation can essentially mean one of two things. It can either mean a general fall of prices of all goods in the economy (i.e. everything is getting cheaper), or it can mean a fall in the amount of money in the economy (the "money supply), which helps to cause the fall in prices. A growing economy that is becoming more and more prosperous as it becomes more efficient should naturally see deflation. Deflation is a natural part of having a rising standard of living. However, governments and pseudo-economists have so warped public perception that many people today see rising prices as a good thing, and have come to associate deflation with economic hardships. This section hopes to relieve people of some of the more common fallacious positions people take.
The Blessings of Deflation by Lew Rockwell Jr. - Why deflation and a rising standard of living go hand in hand.
Deflation: The Biggest Myths by Jörg Guido Hülsmann - Hülsmann addresses the most popular myths surrounding deflation and why it's nothing to worry about.
The Deflation Spiral Bogey by Robert Blumen - It is a popular fear that the expectation of a drop in prices will prevent people from buying anything ever. This is, of course, ridiculous, and here's why.
Deflation and Liberty by Jörg Guido Hülsmann - This essay covers how deflation helps cure recessions, the nature of money and interest, and the impossibility of "stabilization" measures.
Also see below sections on "Indirect Exchange and Money" and "Monopoly: Central Bank" for more on money and inflation.
- Conscription and the Draft
In times of war, governments will often force people to work for it against their will for a meager wage. When this tactic is used by individual citizens, it's called "slavery", and while I don't have the data in front of me, I have a sneaking suspicion that more people would rather be enslaved to pick cotton as a profession than to kill and be killed as a profession.
The Battle Over Conscription by Murray Rothbard - Arguments for the draft and the hypocrisy of enslaving people in the name of freedom.
Involuntary Servitude - Conscription by Murray Rothbard- The absolute worst form of slavery is still in practice.
Also see "Slavery" section.
- Discrimination and Freedom of Association
A free individual is able to associate or to disassociate with whomever they wish. The right to discriminate is an essential part of liberty and property rights, as if property means anything it means the right to exclude.
Petition to Apply Affirmative Action to Basketball Teams - If diversity should be enforced by law, why not enforce it everywhere?
Defending the Undefendable - The Male Chauvanist Pig by Walter Block- What's the difference between coercive and non-coercive actions taken against women? How could discrimination against women ever be a good thing? What about the "glass ceiling"? Shouldn't discrimination be against the law?
The Case for Discrimination by Walter Block - All decisions are discrimination in one form of another. Markets allow people to make the wisest possible decisions.
Also see "Why Racists Love the Minimum Wage Law" below.
- Drugs
If there is no victim, there is no crime. If one takes away the freedom to determine one's own consumption, one destroys all freedoms. Recognizing that others are free to choose what to do with their life does not imply approval however. Vices are not good things, but they are not crimes. A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper.
"A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper. He must free himself from the habit, just as soon as something does not please him, of calling for the police."
- Ludwig von Mises, Liberalism
What You Should Know About Drug Prohibition by Learn Liberty - A basic economic analysis of unintended consequences of the drug war.
Prohibition II; aka "The War on Drugs" by The Newspeak Dictionary - It didn't work the first time, so why would it work now?
Why Are Illegal Drugs Stronger than They Used to Be? by Learn Liberty - The potency effect and how prohibition makes the products less safe and why the government created crack.
For a New Liberty - Personal Liberty: Narcotics and Other Drugs - Why people should be free to choose, how prohibition messes things up, and musings on the hypocrisy of the left and right wings in these matters. If youtube doesn't link to the right time, it begins at 52:25.
Ron Paul on Drugs and Personal Choice - Ron Paul defends personal choice in all areas of life.
There's No Justice in the War on Drugs by Milton Friedman - How drug prohibition makes things worse for everyone, especially for drug users.
Mises Explains the Drug War - How government control over one part of our lives implies control everywhere else.
Defending the Undefendable: The Drug Pusher by Walter Block - Are drug pushers heroes? How does prohibition affect their lives?
Defending the Undefendable: The Drug Addict by Walter Block - How can addiction to drugs be defended?
Also see "Prohibition" section below, and "Vices are Not Crimes" by Lysander Spooner above.
- Education
Education is a service, a product like any other, and just like all other products, will attain the highest quality and lowest price with free competition. Establishing a state monopoly over education just creates unnecessary difficulties in society and indoctrination as one group of society imposes the ideas it wants taught onto everyone else. Not to mention that handing people over in the most impressionable years of their life to the state is a perfect excuse for indoctrination.
Peddlers of Ideas by Jerry Kirkpatrick - Teaching is a service that can be sold on the market, just like any other.
Education is NOT the Same as Schooling by Learn Liberty - An important distinction to make.
Why is Higher Education More Expensive? by Learn Liberty - Why is college so expensive?
We Don't Need No (Public) Education - A short talk by Sheldon Richman on the mess that is public education.
Sheldon Richman on Separating School and State - A long talk by Sheldon Richman on the mess that is public education.
Indoctrination in Common Core ELA Text - An example of how government's might distort a children's education.
For a New Liberty: Education by Murray Rothbard - How can education be provided on a free market and what are the effects and motivations for state involvement?
Education: Free and Compulsory by Murray Rothbard - A full analysis of public vs private education, and a history of state indoctrination.
Defending the Undefendable - The Denier of Academic Freedom by Walter Block - Shouldn't teachers be allowed to teach whatever they want? Why should they be subject to the same rules of hiring and firing like everyone else?
Ron Paul Curriculum - A K-12 Homeschool program for an education in liberty!
- Eminent Domain
When the government wants to own a piece of land, it often forces a person to "sell" the land to the state, giving them a meager sum for their property which they refused to sell voluntarily. When this tactic is used by individual citizens, it is called "theft".
TRUMPED: The Donald, The Widow and Eminent Domain - A basic example of problems that come with legalized theft of land.
The Trouble with "Just Compensation" by Anthony Gregory - The only fair market price is what both buyers and sellers agree to. Theft is theft, even when "compensated".
Defending the Undefendable - The Curmudgeon by Walter Block - For those unfamiliar with the term, think of that as a fancy word for the old guy from Pixar's "Up". This is a moral and economic defense for opposing eminent domain.
- Environmentalism and Conservation
When private property rights are held, it is illegal to pollute upon someone else's land, and people have an incentive to not use up all their resources at once, but instead plan for the future. Private property is he best friend a conservationist could have.
Law, Property Rights, and Air Pollution by Murray Rothbard - A fantastic analysis on how a libertarian legal system would deal with pollution and liability.
Endangered Species, Private Property, and the American Bison - The government, in it's attempted genocide against the native Americans, tried to wipe out the entire buffalo population. Thankfully, the buffalo was literally saved from extinction thanks, guess what? Private property, selling buffalo products for a profit.
John Stossel - Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-Up - In a free society, finding an endangered species would be a rare and happy find, one that people might be willing to pay top dollar for. In a world where the government wants animal habitats to trump property rights though, the wisest course of action is often to kill it, bury it, and never to speak of it again before the government finds out.
Recycling: What a Waste! by Jim Fedako - Recycling isn't done for free, and it costs materials to transform plastics and papers into reusable forms, and this process is often so wasteful more waste is created by attempting to recycle than would be by simply throwing something away. A proper balance needs to be struck here to be efficient, and the free market and free market prices provides exactly that kind of balance.
Can Hunting Endangered Animals Save the Species? - How privatization can save species while trying to kill them and how government policies and "environmentalists", ironically, kill them while trying to save them.
Tragedy of the Commons by Learn Liberty - Environmental and conservation problem that "public" ownership must face.
Are We Running Out of Resources? by Learn Liberty - A look at how profit-seeking capitalism conserves on and creates resources.
Ghostbusters Hates the EPA and So Should You by Timothy Sandefur - Yet another reason to love the movie!
For a New Liberty: Conservation, Ecology, and Growth by Murray Rothbard - How does libertarian environmentalism work? Does capitalism destroy resources? Is the economy growing too fast? Not fast enough?
Defending the Undefendable - The Stripminer by Walter Block - Stripmining destroys entire mountains! How can such a destructive method be defended?
Defending the Undefendable - The Litterer by Walter Block - Come on, no one likes littering! How could we defend this?
- Firefighters
Another one of the crazy libertarian programs where we think that, if the free market is better at handling all other goods and services, what's so different about firefighting? In fact, private firefighters are often extremely successful. People can insure their houses, paying some kind of subscription service to the firefighters to cover them. If they don't feel the need to insure themselves though, they don't have to, and should their house catch fire they can pay a one time (higher) fee. Competition between different fire protection services will keep quality high, making sure customers have as nice an experience as possible, while also drastically reducing the price for said services. If this idea seems strange, simply consider that you're already paying a subscription fee for fire protection services, except right now you're paying it to the State monopoly over it. And like all other monopolies, this decreases the quality of service and increases the price. In fact, it's worse, since this is being done by the state, which means you don't even have a choice about paying whatever outrageous price they demand.
John Stossel ~ Private Firefighting ~ $160/year - Stossel interviews a man who runs a private firefighting service to get an understanding of exactly how much more efficient they are then their state competitor.
Socialist Fire; Socialist Death by Walter Block - Walter Block explains how private owners have incentive to keep their stuff safe from things like, ya know, fire, and governments don't.
Burning Down the House by Mike Peinovich - There was a case in Tennessee where a government fire department didn't put out the fire in a man's house because he didn't pay a $75 fee. Somehow this is blamed on capitalism, the free market, and people spoke of how this was "Ayn Rand at Work". Of course, a truly private fire department, if someone wanted them to extinguish their house and have them just bill for it later, would jump at the chance to make an extra buck. Government workers, on the other hand, are bureaucrats. Their aim is to follow the rules given them by the state, not to make a profit, so the house burned down. And this is "heartless" capitalism's fault. Right.
- Free Markets
The idea of self-ownership, property rights, and voluntary association are the defining characteristics of a free market, where people may exchange goods and services with one another in whatever way they wish. Furthermore, a free market always promotes mutual benefit between seller and buyer, allowing for maximum economic growth. It is only the thieves and the tyrants who abandon the free market.
"Anti-competitive" Practices
Do Antitrust Laws Preserve Competition? by Sylvester Petro - How antitrust laws are abused and how markets work.
4 Free Market Myths Debunked by Stefan Molyneux - Addresses monopolization, collusion, undercutting, planned obsolescence.
Social Cooperation: Why Thieves Hate Free Markets by Learn Liberty - Why helping others is encouraged in a system of mutual benefit.
LibertyHQ Resources: Predatory Pricing
Exploitation
Does Capitalism Exploit Workers? by Learn Liberty - Was Marx correct? Won't unregulated capitalism mean ever increasing profits and ever lower wages for workers?
Karl Marx and the Close of His System by Eugen Bohm-Bawerk - Bohm-Bawerk (who has an awesome name I might add) critiques Karl Marx's Das Kapital.
Monopolies
Evil Monopolies are Fairy Tales in Free Markets by Jacob Spinney - Why you don't need to fear monopolies on the free market.
What's wrong with Monopoly (the game)? by Benjamin Powell - As fun as the game can be, there are several important differences between how the Parker Bros. Monopoly game functions, and how the market functions.
The Myth of Natural Monopoly by Thomas J. DiLorenzo - Aren't "public utilities" natural monopolies?
The Truth About "Robber Barons" by Thomas J. DiLorenzo - A look at supposed historical examples of "unregulated monopolies".
Abolish Antitrust Laws by Murray Rothbard - A section from Power and Market, which always gives an short and powerful criticism of government intervention.
Product Safety
The Most Dangerous Monopoly: When Caution Kills by Learn Liberty - How does private certification work? What happens when instead of allowing certification to work on a free market, this job is established by a government monopoly?
Milton Friedman Puts A Young Michael Moore In His Place - A young liberal (not actually Michael Moore) complains that car companies could have made their car safer if they decreased their profits. Is this a legitimate critique of the free market?
Unpopular Practices
Defending the Undefendable - The Speculator by Walter Block - Aren't most economic crises blamed on "speculation"? Well, yes, but that doesn't mean the blame is warranted.
Ticket Scalpers are Hidden Heroes by Briggs Armstrong - The act of "scheduling insurance".
Defending the Undefendable - The Ticket Scalper by Walter Block - But Penny Arcade told me they deserve to die! Don't they?
Defending the Undefendable - The Miser by Walter Block - The miser has gotten a bad reputation ever since Charles Dickens, but does he actually perform a useful service?
Defending the Undefendable - The Importer by Walter Block - Dey tuk er jerbs. Also see "Mercantilism and Protectionism" section below.
Defending the Undefendable - The Middleman by Walter Block - Shouldn't the middleman be cut out?
Planned Obsolescence
In Praise of Shoddy Products by Lew Rockwell - How can cheap products be a good thing? Well, simply put, because they're cheap.
Defending the Undefendable - The Wastemakers by Walter Block - What's to stop producers from just making products that needlessly break so they can force peopel to buy more?
Also see "Monopoly" section below.
- Free Speech
Freedom of speech doesn't exist for people to talk about the weather, it's there to protect people's right to say unpopular things, primarily things that are criticizing the state. It extends from one's basic right to do what they want with their own property, and so long as property rights are respected, libertarians see no need for the state to step in and intervene.
Personal Liberty - Freedom of Speech by Murray Rothbard - Does freedom of speech make sense in the absence of property rights?
Defending the Undefendable: The Blackmailer by Walter Block - Gossip is okay. Accepting money is okay. Gossip plus money is blackmail though, and that's not okay.
Defending the Undefendable: The Slanderer and Libeler by Walter Block - Should slander and libel be illegal? Why shouldn't we use government to make sure we have truth in the marketplace?
Defending the Undefendable: The Person Who Yells "Fire" in a Crowded Theater by Walter Block - Doesn't this example prove that we can't go too "extreme" in our defense of liberty?
Also see the "Advertisements" section.
- Government Debt
Who actually wins or loses from government debt is often obscured by the phrase "we owe it to ourselves". If this were true though, you could merely forgive your own debt and end the problem there. In truth, when the government takes on debt, some group of people benefit while some other group of people pay for it. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Debt Limit - A comedy sketch explaining the ridiculous nature of the governments approach to debt and raising the "debt ceiling".
Government Shutdowns, the Debt Ceiling, and our Mountains of Debt by Shawn Ritenour - Where does government get it's money from? If the government could borrow money without ever needing to pay it back, why do we bother with taxation?
Lessons for the Young Economist: Government Debt by Robert Murphy - What are the effects of government spending? What's the difference between a deficit and debt?
- Government Licensing
In medieval days, kings would often give a certain group of people the absolute control over an industry, making it illegal for anyone who wasn't approved by them to practice in their industry. This was known as a "guild" and it's a basic form of a monopolistic grant by government. This practice was mostly destroyed during the Enlightenment by the advocates of free trade, but it has returned today in the form of government licensing, with the state deciding who does and does not get into the monopolistically privileged group.
Bring Back the Guild System? by Thomas Woods - Was the mark of the medieval guild system one of cooperation instead of competition?
Defending the Undefendable: The Gypsy Cab Driver - Doesn't the taxi medallion system make sure customers get good quality taxi services? Audio version.
Also see "Human Action, Chapter 33: Syndicalism and Corporativism", "Free Markets" section, "Monopoly" section, and the "Healthcare" section.
- Gun Control
People often ask "should people be allowed to own x", with x being some kind of weapon with a scary name. The libertarian turns this question on it's head and asks "should the state be allowed to own x". Just government derives its power from the people, so if the state has a just power to own something, then so do the people, and if something is illegitimate for the people it is also illegitimate for the state. The advocates of gun control are never "anti-gun", as the guns of the state are needed to disarm everyone else. Gun control is rather about gun ownership being made the exclusive privilege of a small elite powerful group of people and all their minions. The right to bear arms must be defended so that people may exercise their natural right to property and to self-defense against all invaders, and the invader we are primarily concerned about is not the common crook, but the state itself.
Toward a Universal Libertarian Theory of Gun Control by Walter Block - What does the libertarian think about gun control? Should citizens be allowed to own something as destructive as nuclear weapons?
Gun Control - On the Government's Guns by George Reisman - Gun are bad so we need men with guns to stop people from getting guns.
For a New Liberty: Gun Regulation Explained by Murray Rothbard - The right to self-defense and the death of the good Samaritan.
Also see "Police" section below for more on why the state should not be trusted with a monopoly over guns, and the "Prohibition" and "Drugs" sections to learn how ineffectual the state is and the unintended consequences of prohibiting something.
- Healthcare
Healthcare is a service, a product like any other, and just like all other products, will attain the highest quality and lowest price with free competition. Sadly, few industries are more heavily regulated today than the healthcare industry. The great problems of the healthcare industry we see today do not come from the market being too free, but from state intervention.
How Government Solved the Healthcare Crisis by Roderick T. Long - How mutual-aid societies worked and how government messed it up. Read by Stefan Molyneux.
Government Medical "Insurance" by Murray Rothbard - How government intervention in healthcare proves how all economic interventions by the state fail to achieve their stated ends, calling for either a new round of intervention or a return to a free market. There is the free market and there is government monopolization. Any "middle ground" between them can never last.
The Myth of Free-Market Healthcare by Kel Kelly - Isn't what we have right now a free market in healthcare? Isn't that why things are so bad?
A Four-Step Healthcare Solution by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - A quick guide on how to fix healthcare.
Healthcare as a Right by Judge Napolitano - Why people have no "right" to healthcare.
Involuntary Servitude - Compulsory Commitment by Murray Rothbard - Locking people up "for their own good".
Why ObamaCare Will Fail: A Reading List - The Mises Institute put out a fantastic collection of articles on government healthcare. Take a look!
- Immigration
Immigration is an issue heavily debated in libertarian circles. The things libertarians most widely agree on though is that so long as it's voluntary we have no problem with it, and that free immigration and a welfare state don't mix very well.
Immigration Myths Debunked by Learn Liberty - Addressing some popular complaints against immigrants, including of course that "they took our jobs".
A Libertarian Case for Free Immigration by Walter Block - Illegal immigration is a victimless crime, or in other words, no crime at all.
On Free Immigration and Forced Integration by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - Free association doesn't just mean you can associate with who you want, but can exclude who you want. Strict immigration controls can be defended on the grounds that allowing anyone into a country is forcing people together and promoting trespass.
On Immigration: Reply to Hoppe by Anthony Gregory and Walter Block - Walter Block replies to Hoppe's critique of free immigration.
- Inequality
The libertarian wants the same law applied to all men. Equality before the law and egalitarianism though are drastically different.
Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature by Murray Rothbard - An attack on the idea that "equality" is a self-evidently good ethical standard that we should strive for.
Freedom, Inequality, Primitivism, and the Division of Labor by Murray Rothbard - An essay, unsurprisingly, on the nature of freedom, inequality, primitivism, and the division of labor. Very cool to see an explanation on how the inherent diversity of man implies the division of labor.
Liberalism: Equality by Ludwig von Mises - Mises discusses equality before the law and egalitarianism.
Human Action - Inequality of Wealth and Income
- Intellectual Property
Property is a natural consequence of scarcity. Two people cannot eat the same apple, so property ownership must be established. The idea that someone can own an "idea" then, which is not scarce, is ridiculous. A person can use the same idea as someone else without limiting the other person's use of the idea. The call for intellectual property is just another disguise for the call for government monopolization. A free market does not "protect" people from free competition.
Against Intellectual Property by Stephan Kinsella - A full analysis of intellectual property of all kinds from both a legal and an economic perspective.
History of Copyright - How did copyright law develop?
Copyright: Forever Less One Day by CGPGrey - While this video is pro-copyright, it is an interesting historical analysis on it's intention, and how it's been politically manipulated over time.
- Justice and the Court System of Law
"Liberty and justice" are often paired together as concepts, and for good reason. The idea of "justice" is only meaningful when it is used in the defense of liberty. It is what preserves and sustains a liberty-filled life. A great deal of libertarian philosophy then, if not all libertarian philosophy, is dedicated to analyzing the nature of lawful and unlawful behavior and as to when the use of force is justified in self-defense and in delivering punishment.
For a full analysis of a truly libertarian legal system, see the "Voluntaryism" section.
Involuntary Servitude - The Courts by Murray Rothbard - What's wrong with our current court system?
Property and Criminality by Murray Rothbard - What does it mean to be a criminal? Who's property titles do we hold as legitimate?
Self-Defense by Murray Rothbard - How may force be used to stop crimes? To what extent may the use of force be allowed in defense of one's property?
Punishment and Proportionality by Murray Rothbard - Is a district attorney a legitimate plaintiff? What does it mean for the "punishment to fit the crime"?
For a full analysis of a truly libertarian legal system, see the "Voluntaryism" section.
Contempt of Courts
One of the effects of the government having a legal monopoly over the court system and arbitration services is the development of the idea of being held in "contempt" of court. This means that a judge does not only have the power to deliver punishment because of any actual crime committed by the person, but can arbitrarily lock people away simply for being "disrespectful". Judges do not exist to give people "time outs", they exist to settle conflicts between disputing parties. And even if we were to believe that being rude or disrespectful, while clearly negative social traits, should be considered crimes (a clear violation of free speech), then why it the "victim" plaintiff allowed to literally be the judge in his own case? This is an extreme perversion of justice.
Woman argues with judge and ends up with 300 days in jail - The title says it all. An excellent example of how quickly and arbitrarily a judge can wield the power of holding someone in "contempt", sentencing this woman to a jail sentence longer than the maximum jail sentence that comes with her actual crime.
Jury Duty
If a person has not committed a crime (in the real, legitimate libertarian sense), it is not only just, but morally obligatory for a jury to pronounce "not guilty". Jury nullification is an extremely important tool for promoting liberty.
TAKE JURY DUTY! by Doug Stanhope - A comedy sketch with a good point. Jury nullification is a thing. Seriously though, take it.
An Essay on the Trial by Jury by Lysander Spooner - A fascinating look at the history of trials by jury, and a defense of jury nullification.
- Machines, Technology, and "Post-scarcity"
For an economy to become more prosperous, more things need to be produced, and this usually means building better tools. However, many myths have arisen around technology in the past couple centuries, mainly upon its supposed ability to replace human labor. The Luddites claim that this is supposed to be awful as it will supposedly throw everyone out of a job. You can still see these people today protesting against things like self-checkout machines at grocery store, or against online stores like Amazon. Others claim, perhaps more sensibly but no less in error, that we have already reached this "post-scarcity" society and all that needs to be done is to destroy the capitalist system and no one will ever need to work again.
For a New Liberty: Conservation, Ecology, and Growth by Murray Rothbard - An analysis of the attack on growth and technology and how liberty conserves resources better than any environmentalism.
The Economics of Wall-E by EconPop - The wonderful Pixar movie about a dystopian human society where humans can make gigantic spaceships to preserve the human race, but can't figure out how to recycle aluminium.
Is Technology Destroying Jobs? - A couple of Luddites at the Huffington Post debate against Peter Schiff on whether machines cause unemployment.
That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen: Machinery by Frederic Bastiat - This section from his famous essay is addressed to those who curse machinery. By destroying machines they may see the jobs they supposedly have saved, but what they do not see is the jobs they have destroyed by keeping the economy from adjusting.
The Curse of Machinery by Henry Hazlitt - A refutation of the Luddite's claim that machinery causes unemployment. Turns out labor-saving devices don't eliminate the need for labor, they just increase the amount labor produces.
Dead-Tree Luddites by Genevieve LaGreca - The printing press made hand-writing books a thing of the past, and that's a good thing. For the same reason, we have no need to fear things like Amazon.
Science, Technology, and Government, part 10: Automation by Murray Rothbard - So it's clear from everything above that machines only make labor more productive, they don't actually replace labor. But what if everything got really advanced and we had robots or something? Wouldn't this result in unemployment? Rothbard lays these fears to rest and hails the prosperity and leisure that will be available to us from technological improvements.
Man, Economy, and State - Ch. 9.2.G The "Problem" of Unemployment by Murray Rothbard - An economic analysis of the supposed horrors of people not needing to toil as much.
- Police
You know how the evil capitalist in movies will figuratively say "I own the police" as evidence of corruption and to show that they are above the law and can get away with anything? Well the government nonfiguratively owns the police. Take of that what you will.
When Should You Shoot a Cop? by Larken Rose- An important question that any lover of freedom should ask unless they opt for a pacifistic approach. This is why the second amendment is important. It's not there for hunting, it's there for overthrowing governments, like the Founders themselves did. "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson
Don't Talk to Police - A fantastic lecture on the right to remain silent. Remember, when officers say "anything you say can and will be used against you" (whicn in most cases they're not required to say anyways), they're not joking with you. Seriously, stay silent. Talking to the cops will not do you any good and will only do you harm.
The Government's War on Cameras! - Why is a man with a gun afraid of a man with a phone? Doesn't the government always tell us "if you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to fear".
Defending the Undefendable - The Dishonest Cop - Is a crooked cop ever better than a "by-the-books" cop when the book is crooked?
Examples
I can hardly cover all the examples of corruption in police forces. Here are just a few examples basically chosen at random out of hundreds of thousands of cases showing the police being a privileged class in society, doing things that if done by anyone without a magical badge would be despicable criminal acts.
Behind Bars, A Brutal and Unexplained Death - A 50-year old mentally ill man imprisoned for 2 years on possession charges was thrown into a scalding shower for an hour by the prison guards as punishment for defecating in his cell. He was found dead with his skin so badly cooked that it was slipping from his body. The camera around the showers apparently "malfunctioned" when he was placed in the shower, so there is no video evidence. As of 5/22/2014, no charges have been pressed. He died on June 6/23/2012, one month away from being released.
Warren v. District of Columbia - The case that established that police officers have no duty to protect you, even if you called for the police. "To Protect and Serve" is so last season.
Derek Colling - Most Dangerous Cop in America - "Stop resisting!" Anecdotal evidence, but helpful nonetheless. Police hold a compulsory monopoly over the production of security and hold a position held above the law, so why not expect this kind of abuse? More annecdotal evidence listed below. Since it is annecdotal, it might not change someone's mind, but it's pretty good for illustrating a point. And if you want to get really mad, just look at how they are usually "punished" with a paid vacation.
Durham Cop Video - It's nice when cops are honest about being a professional thug.
Alarming Police State Brutality in Des Moines, Iowa; Family Raided - PoliceBrutality.US - Extreme measures taken against a family and police cover-ups over a suspected stolen credit card. A great example of the ridiculous, wasteful, and fear-instilling tactics taken by the men-in-"blue". NB: Black is the new blue.
Cops pull gun on kid building tree house - That'll teach him for being 11 years old.
Cop tasers and kicks compliant mentally handicap man. - The title says it all. In fact, that's true for the rest of these as well.
Uniformed Invaders Shoot a Man 16 Times in his Bed
Helmet Cam Footage Shows Cops Murder a Man for “Illegally Camping”
Man given forcible 14-hour anal cavity search, colonoscopy after rolling through a stop sign
Marine Survives Two Tours in Iraq, SWAT Kills Him
Michael Allison Faces 75 Years In Illinois Prison for recording police
Speeding Sheriff Kills Pedestrians - No Charges
California Cop Spared Charges in Mistaken Killing of Boy With Toy Gun - I mean, do we really need a court case every time a grown man kills a defenseless kid?
Miami Cop in Trouble after Pulling Over Speeding Driver, who Turns out to be internal Affairs Lieutenant - Don't you dare cross that blue line.
Adrian Schoolcraft - Don't you do it!
In expletive-laced encounter, officer allegedly slaps man - *slap* "You wanna #*%@ing resist?"
Also see above resources on anarcho-capitalism. Monopolies on services that consider themselves above the law will naturally produce poor quality service. Also, consider looking at /r/Bad_Cop_No_Donut!
- Privacy
Being able to exclude people from your property is an essential feature of owning property in the first place. The state's constant and unrestricted invasion of privacy is a huge cause for alarm.
Civilization Means Privacy by Ben O'Neill - How decentralization helps protect privacy and government control.
Internet Fascism and the Surveillance State by Ben O'Neill - How governments try to use surveillance as a means of control.
Four Centuries of Surveillance: From Privy Councils to FISA Courts by Joey Clark - How government manipulation of language has been used to take control over communication.
Costs of the Surveillance State by Erich Mattei - Why government surveillance is a consequence of their inefficiency.
The NSA and Its “Compliance Problems” by Ben O'Neill - Better known as "crimes" when committed by private citizens.
Also see the "Discrimination and Freedom of Association" section and the novel "1984".
- TEH ROADS?!?!
Ah, the libertarians oldest enemy! In all seriousness though, roads are, once again, a product, and like all other products, can attain it's highest quality and lowest price in a free market.
eEconomics - Roads - Why the roads argument for government is extremely insignificant.
For a New Liberty: Streets and Roads by Murray Rothbard - Who will own the roads?
The Roads by Stefan Molyneux - Who will build them?
John Stossel - The Case for Private Roads - How can private roads work!
Deregulated Roads: The Netherlands Experience - What alternative approaches to roads are there?
But who will build the roads?!? by Adam Kokesh - Adam replies to the most dreaded of all questions.
Roads, Education, and Waterways: The Case Against Public Services by Walter Block - Walter Block always has great lectures on roads.
The Privatization of Roads and Highways by Walter Block - A lengthy look at the roads question.
Who'll build the roads? by John Stossel - Why we can't trust the government to adequately provide for transportation.
LibertyHQ Resources: Infrastructure
Also see "Eminent Domain" section.
- Science
The science and advancing new technological ideas is extremely important to advancing society and to reach new and higher standards of living, but its importance is unfortunately often overstated. If one wants to try and achieve some goal, they must not only know how to achieve it, but have the means available to be able to put that knowledge into practice. A free market provides high quality goods at low prices, which enables people to put that knowledge into practice. Advancing technology does not only come from research and development, but also from living in a wealthier society. Furthermore, the competition that one sees in a free market pushes people to constantly be a step ahead of one's competitors, which promotes scientific advancement better than any state while keeping the focus on improving life for humanity. Science, just like everything else, is best handled voluntarily in a free society.
Science, Technology, and Government by Murray Rothbard - The principles of resource allocations to research and development as applied to hiring scientists, doing basic research, and why we can expect the government to be extremely inefficient at all these things.
The Myth of Science as a Public Good by Terence Kealey - Why government is not necessary or beneficial for scientific research. If you can pick up a copy of his book The Economic Laws of Scientific Research, I recommend it.
Space
Private Spaceflight - A wikipedia list of private spaceflights already underway.
The New Space Race - How competition in the market is creating a new space race.
ARKYD: A Space Telescope for Everyone - A cool, privately funded space program!
Reply to the objection "But without NASA there'd be no _______" by Robert Murphy - Man walking on the moon is undeniably cool, but as unromantic as it might be to admit, taking billions of taxpayer dollars against people's will just so that a person could put a flag there for no other reason than bragging rights against the Russians is a bit wasteful. Ceteris paribus it's awesome, but costs aren't just something we can ignore. And in the end, the only way we're really going to enter into the space age isn't just from a single person getting to the moon, but humanity being able to do it, and that requires the efficiency of the free market to make it available to everyone.
Also see "Intellectual Property" section.
- Sex Laws
Free association means people can enter into any kind of voluntary relationship they want, and this include all forms of consensual sexual relationships. Government not only has no place regulating sex, but once again makes everything a whole lot worse by interfering. Of course, just because a libertarian does not believe that the state should regulate deviant behavior does not imply approval of said behavior, only that he does not presume to have the right to force others to adopt his way of life. A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper.
Personal Liberty - Pornography by Murray Rothbard - Even if one objects to pornography, it is not the place of the law to enforce morality, only the rights of individuals.
Defending the Undefendable: The Prostitue by Walter Block - Sure it's okay to pay people money to have sex if you're filming a porno, but why should we allow you to pay people to have sex for personal amusement?
Defending the Undefendable: The Pimp by Walter Block - Even granting the legitimacy of prostitution, aren't pimps just exploitative bosses?
And never forget, prostitution is legal if you film it and call her an "actress".
- Slavery
Slavery is, of course, the antithesis of liberty, and the libertarian stands firmly opposed to its practice in whatever form it takes, which is one of the primary reasons the libertarian is opposed to government regulation. There is no difference in principle, but only in degree, between political and chattel slavery. The former, no less than the latter, denies a man's ownership of himself and the products of his labor, and asserts that other men may own him, and dispose of him and his property, for their uses, and at their pleasure. The libertarians fight for liberty and freedom of choice is a fight to preserve a man's human dignity. A man chooses. A slave obeys.
The Unconstitutionality of Slavery by Lysander Spooner - In this fascinating essay, Lysander Spooner actually argues that slavery was unconstitutional before the 13th amendment had ever been written.
Human Action: The Work of Animals and of Slaves by Ludwig von Mises - In this section, Mises explains the economics behind slavery and how ultimately slave labor can't compete with the productive power of free labor. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
And make sure you check out all the "Involuntary Servitude" videos as well.
- Socialism and Communism
Socialism is a word that has a million different definitions, each contradicting and opposed to the rest. The socialism of men like Benjamin Tucker actually isn't too far removed from modern libertarianism, which stood against monopolization, special legal privileges, and advocated for free competition in all areas. The socialism we will be addressing here and in all subsequent mentions of socialism however will be the socialism of the Marxist variety, where the state has complete control of the means of production, advocating for one monopoly over all areas of life.
Socialism is Communism and is Taking Over the West by G. Edward Griffin - An interesting speech on how the destruction of economic freedom destroys all other personal freedoms.
The Death Wish of Anarcho-Communists by Murray Rothbard - When "anarchists" oppose free voluntary markets. That'd be this type of anarchist.
Also see "Socialism" by Ludwig von Mises below, as well as "The Command Economy" section.
- Sweatshops and Child Labor
Capitalism is often blamed for bringing about sweatshops and child labor. In truth though, poverty is man's natural state upon this earth. It is only by hard labor that man is able to rise out of this wretched state of affairs, and with the development of capital equipment the productivity of labor is dramatically increased, which means that workloads can continually be decreased. Child labor and sweatshop conditions are not ended by government legislation, they are ended by productivity being decreased to such a degree that children not working is now possible without them starving to death. The thing most needed in third world countries today isn't government legislation, it is access to the capital of the rest of the world, which cheap sweatshop labor attracts. Using force to prevent people from voluntarily associating does not make people rich, it condemns them back to poverty.
The Unbelievable Truth About Sweatshops by Learn Liberty - How can sweatshops possibly be a good thing?
The Popular Interpretation of the "Industrial Revolution" by Ludwig von Mises- Didn't the industrial revolution plunge people from happiness and care-free agricultural lives into starvation, poverty, and poor working conditions? Charles Dickens certainly seems to think so.
Top 3 Ways Sweatshops Help The Poor Escape Poverty by Learn Liberty - Do sweatshops relieve people from poverty or cause it?
Defending the Undefendable - The Employer of Child Labor by Walter Block - Children should be in schools, not working! So what's wrong with making children working illegal?
LibertyHQ Resources: Child Labor
- Taxes
The government often bills you for services you never contracted to it for, threatening to take it by force and to kidnap, beat, or even kill you if you resis. When this tactic is used by individual citizens, it is called "extortion".
Knock Knock - IRS - Guilty until proven innocent.
Adulthood: A Life Sentence - The IRS politely explains their relationship to a curious taxpayer.
The State vs The Highwayman by Lysander Spooner - My personal favorite section from Lysander Spooner's "No Treason".
Involuntary Servitude - The Tax System by Murray Rothbard - How is taxation a system of slavery? Where is our 5th amendment protection from self-incrimination?
Also see below "Economics" section on taxes.
- Unions and Labor
The libertarian accepts all forms of voluntary association. However, modern workers unions are often plagued by economic fallacies and are under the delusion that they can increase the workers standard of living by convincing, or even forcing, everyone to be less productive. They are sorely mistaken.
Behold! Your Public Sector Unions at Work. by Andrew Klavan - What distinguishes public sector unions from regular unions?
The War on Walmart: Who's afraid of cheap groceries? - Wal-Mart is making all our lives worse by offering cheap, convenient services! ...wait, what?
Superman Joins a Union - A proud union worker stops the evil rate-busting Superman.
Economics in One Lesson: Do Unions Really Raise Wages? by Henry Hazlitt - What happens if unions try to raise wages above the market level? Don't forget to read all sections, this just links to the first!
Defending the Undefendable - The Fat-Capitalist Pig Employer by Walter Block - If they had their way, capitalists would pay their workers mere pennies! Why shouldn't we oppose them?
Defending the Undefendable - The Scab by Walter Block - People who don't join a union strike are traitors to workers everywhere! Why shouldn't we hate "scabs"?
Defending the Undefendable - The Rate-Buster by Walter Block - If you work too hard, that means less jobs for everyone else and harder work in general. Why shouldn't we hate hard working people who steal our jobs?
Man, Economy, and State - Ch. 9.2.B The Nature of Labor by Murray Rothbard - Who constitutes the labor force? Are managers also laborers?
Man, Economy, and State - Ch. 10.4 Labor Unions by Murray Rothbard - Turns out bargaining has extremely little to do with establishing prices on the free market, and union attempts to get a "better deal" via bargaining only end up hurting the workers themselves.
- Warfare and Foreign Policy
The libertarian recognizes the right to self-defense. However, war also usually marks the growth of state intervention, as the state is an inherently violent institution. War is, therefore, usually a weapon of slavery, not of liberty. The libertarian takes to heart the idea that someone who gives up liberty to purchase safety will receive neither. After all, without liberty, what exactly are you keeping safe? Furthermore, was is (obviously) incredibly wasteful and destructive The growth of civilization requires peace to be able to take advantage of the division of labor. War only brings hardship.
Peace does not come about, however, from people sitting around in a drum circle somewhere chanting "kumbaya", nor is it achieved by creating some "super-state" group like the United Nations. So long as governments adopt policies of violence and intervention with the free market, one group can only gain at the expense of another, which ultimately leads to war as each group may only violently try to get the upper-hand. The only true path to peace is an adoption of libertarian policies so that the methods of coercion and violence are abandoned and people can work for mutual benefit.
Liberalism - Peace by Ludwig von Mises - Why the [classical] liberal is in favor of peace and does not see the so-called advantages of war.
Armed Chinese Troops in Texas! by Ron Paul - How can foreign interventionism breed resentment?
The Mystery of the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the 'Last Good War' by Ralph Raico - The conditions that led to the world wars.
Ron Paul's "What if? - A great typography of one of Ron Paul's great speeches on foreign policy.
Timeline of US-Iran Relations - A brief coverage of the history of US-Iranian relations.
For a New Liberty: War and Foreign Policy by Murray Rothbard - Why war is the health of the state.
Liberalism, Chapter 3 - Liberal Foreign Policy (part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, and part 11) by Ludwig von Mises - A larger elaboration on the peaceful goals of [classical] liberalism. Covers the boundaries of the State, self-determination, peace, nationalism, imperialism, colonialism, free trade, freedom of movement, why Europe shouldn't become one big country, why the league of nations was a bad idea, and what Mises thought needed to be done about Russia in 1927.
Timeline of US-Iran Relations - A brief coverage of the history of US-Iranian relations.
How Murray Rothbard Changed My Mind on War by Thomas Woods - Why being anti-war is the free market position, despite peace's supposed connection to the left.
Just War by Murray Rothbard - By what standard, if any, can we judge whether war is justified? Note, this isn't just talking about "the less bad side", but genuinely justified.
Also see the "Autistic Intervention" section below.
- Welfare
The libertarian allows for all forms of voluntary interaction, and charitable contributions certainly falls in this category. However, the libertarian believes there is no virtue in being "charitable" with other people's money. Furthermore, the most important tool for raising people out of poverty is the efficiency of a free market. The libertarian does not only regard the welfare state as morally repugnant, but as one of the reasons people are being prevented from rising out of poverty in the first place. It is only a horrible twisting of moral principles by which people call taking what you have not earned "charity" and keeping what you've earned "selfishness".
Milton Friedman - Responsibility to the Poor - Don't governments have a responsibility to help the poor?
Milton Friedman - Redistribution of Wealth - Milton Friedman defends capitalism and against the idea of the "inheritance tax".
George Ought to Help - A look into the nature of government welfare and taxation.
The Conquest of Poverty by Henry Hazlitt - Hazlitt explains that the cure for poverty is freedom and freedom alone.
For a New Liberty: Welfare and the Welfare State - What are some problems with public welfare? Can private charity replace it? What should the focus of charity be?
Defending the Undefendable - The Inheritor - Inheritance is unearned! Why should we allow people to give their property away in whatever way they want after they die?
Defending the Undefendable - The Non-Contributor to Charity - How can not being charitable ever be considered a good thing?
Human Action - Confiscation and Redistribution by Ludwig von Mises - Mises analyzes the philosophy and economics behind wealth "distribution". Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Human Action - The Welfare Principle vs The Market Principle by Ludwig von Mises - Mises analyzes criticism of the inequality of the market and the clamor for "social justice". Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
LibertyHQ Resources: Social Safety Net
Economics: Why Liberty Works
The task given to the science of economics is to logically analyze different systems of production and consumption. While libertarianism as a philosophy advocates for what the social system should be, economics is purely describing the social system is. There is therefore no such thing as "libertarian economics", as economics does not comment on what should or should not be. This does not mean that economics is useless for the libertarian though. Far from it! In fact, much of the "battleground" one might see will often be here. Most people genuinely desire peace and prosperity. However, due to many errors in economic thinking, people are often fooled into advocating for systems that are directly antagonistic to their stated goals. Beyond this, it is also extremely helpful to understand economics so that the libertarian may have a fuller understanding of what they system they are advocating for actually is, helping to deepen their insight. The usefulness of economics to the libertarian then is in unveiling these deceptions and fallacies, and showing why a society based around the principles of laissez-faire creates harmony within society.
- Short and Simple
These are quick, introductory and easily consumable links on some key lessons of economics.
Trade is Made of Win by Learn Liberty - Why trade is mutually beneficial and a look at comparative advantage. Don't forget to check out Learn Liberty's other videos!
Can Capitalism Save Lives? by Learn Liberty - Bryan Caplan discusses how markets could help end the kidney shortage.
The Broken Window Fallacy by Sam Selikoff and Luke Bessey - The economic fallacy that gives birth to all other economic fallacies.
The Broken Window Fallacy by Learn Liberty - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erJEaFpS9ls - Another video on the Broken Window Fallacy. This is a very important fallacy to understand, worthy of two videos here for emphasis.
I, Pencil by Leonard E. Read - A famous economic essay showing the importance of the division of labor and the near miraculous nature of how it all works without a central planner. It also inspired this video version, which is very well done!
Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two (this is a sequel to "Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem) by EconStories - F.A. Hayek and John Maynard Keynes debate economic approaches to depressions and unemployment.
Deck the Halls with Macro Follies by EconStories - Another EconStories video singing about the views of Keynes and Hayek again, but also including their respective influences of Malthus and Say!
eEconomics and the rest by David Angelo - A fantastic video series covering a variety of current economic issues with some great deadpan humor.
- General
These are links that do a more broad lesson on economics, describing these systems more on the whole rather than emphasizing on a few key lessons to understand. This is a great place to start "getting the gist" of economics. From here on, we'll be covering economics in a more formal manner, starting from the beginning epistemology and working our way through whole social systems.
Capitalism in One Lesson by Nielsio - An explanation of what capitalism is with tons of resources to learn more. Highly recommended.
How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't by Irwin Schiff - A comic about cavemen that invent economic interaction, going from there to developing a more modern economy, and how the government messes this all up. Video version. Highly recommended.
Praxgirl - A series of videos giving an expert explanation of praxeology from start to finish by a very cute girl, if I do say so myself. If you don't know what praxeology is, watch this.
Lessons for the Young Economist by Robert Murphy - A high school textbook for economics covering economic foundations, capitalism, socialism, and a wide range of government interventions in the market.
Economics for Real People: An Introduction to the Austrian School by Gene Callahan - As the title suggests, this is a great book for the average guy to pick up to learn about economics and why it should be important to him.
An Introduction to Economic Reasoning by David Gordon - A high school textbook for economics that emphasizes the step-by-step logical reasoning that an economist uses to figure stuff out.
Praxeology and Catallactics by Intentional World View - Praxeology presented in a logical step-by-step format.
Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt - Inspired by Bastiat, Hazlitt explains the economics behind some key political issues. Accompanying video series version by Amanda BillyRock (currently ongoing!)
That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen by Frederic Bastiat - The article that inspired the above and gives the parable creating the "broken window fallacy". Covers a wide variety of topics that the fallacy applies to, especially war and public work programs.
Time Will Run Back by Henry Hazlitt - The world has been taken over by socialism, and the son of the dictator of the Won World Government is suddenly thrust into a position of power in which he accidentally rediscovers capitalism step by step. Highly recommended.
Power and Market by Murray Rothbard - A critique of the state's involvement in everything ever. You can also check out this study guide, which is partnered with Rothbard's Man, Economy, and State.
Epistemology: How We Know Things
Methodological Individualism is the principle that economics only makes sense in the context of acting individuals. One can only refer to collectives like "markets" or "governments" or "society" understanding that it's made up of individuals. It is therefore nonsense for someone to speak about "crimes against society" or "the will of the people" apart from the actions of individuals, nor can we speak about special "class logics" or "race logics" so that the rules of action work for some people and not for others. Human action is based on the individual and it's rules are universal to all of mankind.
Praxgirl: Methodology - What distinguishes economic science from the natural sciences?
That Mitchell and Webb Look: Football - A comedy sketch explaining what's wrong with the excessive use of the word "we".
Lessons for the Young Economist: Thinking Like an Economist by Robert Murphy - Why is it important to learn economics?
Lessons for the Young Economist: How We Develop Economic Principles by Robert Murphy - What is the difference between purposeful action and mindless behavior?
How to Use Methodological Individualism by Jörg Guido Hülsmann - An explanation on the epistemology and practice of economics.
Is Austrian Economics 'Unscientific' by Jeffrey Herbener - What presuppositions do people make for the natural science positivist method to be possible?
Economic Science and the Austrian Method by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - Hoppe explains why only the praxeological methodology as a purely deductive system is an acceptable approach to economics and positivism has no place.
Praxeology: The Method of Economics by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - Hoppe discusses how economics works as a logically a priori science and explains how logical positivism is used in the defense of socialism.
The Mantle of Science by Murray Rothbard - What does it mean to be a science and what is the danger of "scientism"?
In Defense of Extreme Apriorism by Murray Rothbard - On what grounds can we justify an a priori system? What's the difference between the Kantian and Aristotelian approach to
Human Action: The Epistemological Problems of the Sciences of Human Action by Ludwig von Mises - Mises formulates methodological individualism as he uses it through the rest of his treatise Human Action. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Human Action: The Data of the Market by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains economics connection to the real world. Economics does not just lie in the mind of some arm-chair intellectual, but it plays a very real part in the world around us. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Epistemological Problems of Economics by Ludwig von Mises - A treatise on the proper approach to economic science, how we may come to know economic law, and how we do not.
Praxeological Law: The Rules of Action
This section marks the start of economic analysis as we deduce certain economic laws that all people adhere to.
- General
Lessons for the Young Economist: Economic Concepts Implied By Action by Robert Murphy - Individual action and the proper way to think of preferences.
Lessons for the Young Economist: "Robinson Crusoe" Economics by Robert Murphy - Basic economic principles illustrated in a one-man economy.
Principles of Economics by Carl Menger - The book that founded the Austrian School, as well as the concept of marginal utility. It remains to be one of the best introductions to economics and teaching people to think like an economist. Relevant Study Guide
Also see all of Human Action, Part One - Human Action and all of Chapter One of Man, Economy, and State. I will be linking to especially relevant parts throughout.
- The Action Axiom
Economics is all about "economizing", about people trying to use scarce means to achieve their most highly valued ends. The concept of "action" then, of purposeful behavior, is the starting point of all economic analysis. Apart from it, economizing makes no sense. Neither can the existence of purposeful action be denied, as denial itself would be a purposeful action. Hence the reason the existence of action is "axiomatic". The science that studies all logical implications of action is called "praxeology", of which economics is a subdivision.
Praxgirl: Purposeful Action - What does it mean that action is "purposeful"?
Doubt the Action Axiom? Try to Disprove It by Gennady Stolyarov II - Why one cannot deny the action axiom without falling into a self-contradiction.
Mises' Non-Trivial Insight by Robert Murphy - Why the idea of the action axiom is unique to the Austrian School and why it opens the floodgates of praxeology.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.1 The Concept of Action by Murray Rothbard - The concept of action and why man acts by virtue of his existence.
Human Action: Purposeful Action and Animal Reaction by Ludwig von Mises - Human action is purposeful behavior.
Human Action: Human Action as an Ultimate Given by Ludwig von Mises - The limitations of science in discovering ultimate causes, and how different metaphysical beliefs approach human action.
- The First Rules of Action
With the existence of action firmly established, a few points can be logically derived from it. For example, the point that action can only be undertaken by individual "actors". People can work together or even act in concert, but action still only makes sense in the context of an individual with ends and goals. Hence the idea of "methodological individualism" as elaborated in the "Epistemology and Methodology" section.
Praxgirl: Prerequisites of Action - What are the requirements for people to be able to act?
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.2 First Implications of the Concept by Murray Rothbard - The first ideas that are implied by the existence of human action.
- Rationality
A lot of people, and even world renowned economists, would distinguish between "rational behavior" and "irrational behavior", and in their economic models assume that people are "perfectly rational" in the formation of their "homo economicus". In truth though, the same rules of action apply to everyone. The examples people try to use to prove that people aren't rational are usually one of two things: either a person holds something as an end that the person himself doesn't personally approve of, or the means that the person adopted to try to achieve their goal with proved inadequate. Neither of these cases requires some separate rules of action however, hence the reason that all action is "rational".
Praxgirl: Rationality of Action - Why it doesn't make sense to distinguish between "rational" and "irrational" action in a praxeological sense. What does it mean that economics is "value-free"?
Human Action: Rationality and Irrationality; Subjectivism and Objectivity of Praxeological Research by Ludwig von Mises - Why ends are subjective to each mind and criticizing other people's ends as irrational is itself irrational.
- Ends and Means
Action (purposeful behavior) implies the existence of ends and means, and certain characteristics of these things can also be logically deduced, such as the distinction between "consumer goods", which directly satisfy ends, and "producer goods", which can be used in combination with other things to create consumer goods.
Praxgirl: Ends and Means - What do the concepts of "ends" and "means" imply? Always good to define your terms!
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.3 Further Implications: The Means by Murray Rothbard - The praxeological category of a "good".
Human Action: Ends and Means by Ludwig von Mises - The idea of ends and means, and the idea of "free goods".
- The Scale of Values
The scarcity of means requires man to make a choice between which ends he would like to fulfill and which ends he will give up in exchange. Hence the reason that all action is a demonstration of preference and in the manner of preferring "a" to "b". These preferences all put together make up the hypothetical "scale of values".
Praxgirl: Scale of Values - How action implies preferences which can be ranked ordinally in a "scale of values".
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.5 Further Implications: Ends and Values by Murray Rothbard - The idea of happiness and the distinction between cardinal and ordinal rankings.
Human Action: The Scale of Value by Ludwig von Mises - The scale of values as an interpretation of action.
- Time
All action attempts to fulfill a goal that is not currently fulfilled, meaning that all action aims at fulfill ends in the future, meaning that all action is speculative. Furthermore, time itself is also scarce and needs to be economized on, which establishes the universal rule of "time preference", or preferring an end to be fulfilled in the present rather than in the future, ceteris paribus.
Praxgirl: Time - Time is necessary prerequisite for action, how all action aims to improve the future, and what it means to need to economize on time.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.4 Further Implications: Time by Murray Rothbard - The period of production and how economizing upon time implies "time preference".
Human Action: Time by Ludwig von Mises - How time relates to action and an introduction to the idea of "time preference". Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
- Uncertainty
Action implies that a choice is being made, which implies the uncertainty of the future. This uncertainty opens up the possibility of acting in error, applying means in a such a way that an end is not fulfilled. This insight is another thing all too often overlooked in economic modeling, which will often assume perfect information about the future.
Praxgirl: Uncertainty - How the idea of choice implies uncertainty.
Human Action: Uncertainty by Ludwig von Mises - Why uncertainty is vital for action, why all action is speculative, and why mainstream economists err in assuming "perfect information". Mises also has an interesting discussion on the statistics and probability. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
- Marginal Utility
A means is valued according to the end it fulfills, hence the reason that different units of a good of the same class will be valued differently. People do not value "butter" or "coal" in general, but rather discrete units of butter and coal. The unit of a good that fulfills the lowest valued end is called the "marginal unit". Furthermore, since all means are scarce, any increase in the supply of a means will mean that less and less highly valued ends may now also be fulfilled. This inverse relationship between supply and the value of the marginal unit is called "the law of marginal utility" or "the law of diminishing marginal utility".
Praxgirl: The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility - How people choose "on the margin" and the praxeological notion of utility (i.e. consumer goods).
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.5.B The Law of Marginal Utility by Murray Rothard - Why the marginal unit is relevant for action and why each unit is valued separately.
Human Action: The Law of Marginal Utility by Ludwig von Mises - Mises lays out the proper understanding of marginal utility and destroys the "water-diamond paradox" of Adam Smith.
- The Law of Returns
If a producer good did not need to be combined with anything else to produce a consumer good, it would itself be a consumer good. Hence the reason that all producer goods require complementary factors of production. The scarcity of these factors of production implies certain logical rules. The law of returns states that with the quantity of complementary factors held constant, there always exists some optimum amount of the varying factor.
Praxgirl: The Law of Returns - Praxeological laws around producer goods, marginal productivity, and the law of returns.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.6 The Law of Returns by Murray Rothbard - The valuation of producer goods according to their marginal productivity and the idea of an "optimum" amount.
Human Action: The Law of Returns by Ludwig von Mises - Why there is praxeologically always an "optimum" point where the quantity of output per unit of input is maximized.
- Labor and Leisure
All action, in some way or another, involves the use of the human body in the production process, making the body itself a producer good. When the body expends energy in the production process, we call this "labor". Generally though, empirically speaking, labor isn't enjoyable, and people would rather not work than work. Not working is called "leisure", which most people enjoy as a consumer good.
Praxgirl: Human Labor - Why we labor, how economic progress improves our lives, and why machines don't steal our jobs.
Human Action: Human Labor as a Means by Ludwig von Mises - The disutility of labor, the utility of leisure, and why labor is unique as a "totally nonspecific" factor of production.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.8 Factors of Production: Labor versus Leisure by Murray Rothbard - Why it is not praxeologically necessary, but useful nonetheless to assume that leisure is a consumer good and labor is onerous.
- Capital Goods
Many production processes involve multiple steps. Some producer goods can be found naturally, while other producer goods need to be produced themselves. A produced producer good is called a "capital good". The production of capital goods, however, implies certain relationship to time preference and the restriction of consumption (saving). Capital goods allow for increased standards of living as they enable people to be more productive with the resources they have available.
Praxgirl: Capital - How we create wealth by thinking more about the future.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 1.9 The Formation of Capital by Murray Rothbard - Why the production of capital goods requires savings, the role of time preference, and the introduction of "Robinson Crusoe" economics.
Human Action: Action in the Passing of Time by Ludwig von Mises - The idea of time preference (preferring goods in the present over the same good in the future), and how it relates to producing capital goods and capital accumulation, maintenance, and consumption. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Capitalism: The Pure Market Economy
It is in the very nature of scarcity that a good can't be used for all the ends it could potentially fulfill. Thus, when one man uses a good in one way, this prevent someone else from using the good a different way. It is due to this fact that the concept of "property" emerges within economics. Property is not merely a "social construct", but something derived from the very nature of action. The "abolition of ownership" is impossible, even for the most tyrannical of governments, as there must always be some controller of property, and whoever fulfills this task may be considered the property owner, regardless of whether they have legal title or not. The only real question is who this owner will be. What system of ownership is established is ultimately determines what kind of economic system we're discussing.
People can essentially relate to each other in two fundamentally different ways, forming different kinds of "bonds" with each other. They can work with each other for mutual benefit by exchanging goods and services with one another, or they can use coercion to impose their will on another, allowing one to only gain at the others expense. The former is called a "contractual bond", while the later is a "hegemonic bond". A social system based entirely around contractual bonds is the "pure market economy" or "unhampered market economy", as it is not hampered by any outside intervention, while a social system based entirely around hegemonic bonds is the "command economy". An economy that involves both kinds of bonds at the same time is the "hampered market economy", as it is hampered by violent intervention.
In this section we will analyze the market economy in which self-ownership and property rights are respected, including all property in the means of production, and people engage in voluntary exchanges of goods and services with one another. This system is more commonly referred to as "the free market" or "laissez-faire" or "capitalism". This wiki will primarily use the term "capitalism".
- Property Rights and Contractual Bonds
In the capitalist economy, a man can obtain property as follows: (1) To begin with, everyone has ownership over his own person and therefore has the liberty to decide what to do with his own life and what labor he will endure. (2) Ownership is gained over nature-given factors either by original appropriation, i.e. being the "first user" or "homesteader" of a good, or by receiving it in the form of a gift from the original appropriator, or as a gift from the person who received it from the original appropriator, and so on. (3) Ownership is gained over capital goods and consumer goods by mixing labor with nature-given factors obtained by the method described above, or in the form of a gift in a manner similar as to the method described above. (4) People may exchange a good and/or service in exchange for the good and/or service of another, be it land, capital good, or consumer good. Thus, the nature property ownership under capitalism may be summarized as self-ownership, homesteading, production, and free exchange.
Several different types of exchanges are possible. The most simple type market economy is the "barter economy", where people exchange goods and services directly for the exact type of good or service they want themselves. A market economy that involves nothing but these types of exchanges is a "barter" economy, and certain facts about trade, benefit, and prices can be deduced from such a system. For example, it is no longer required that a person try to produce something they want themselves, but rather they can now also produce something that they will then exchange for the thing they want. This is called producing "for the market".
As this system only has someone gain property either by original appropriation or by voluntary exchange, it is a system devoid of all violence (i.e. involuntary appropriation). By acts of violence, one person takes possession of the person and/or property of another, and uses them in ways that the original owner does not consent to. They may try to kill or otherwise injure another person, or may threaten to do such things to extract services from another person, violating the first principle of self-ownership. Or perhaps they will try to take property that has already been appropriated by others as their own, principles 2 through 4. Either way, such acts of violence would constitute a violation of property rights, which our capitalist economy is devoid of by definition. No one in this society may take the property of another without the voluntary consent of the property owner.
My sources here are somewhat diverse. Some speak directly on defining contractual bonds, others go beyond that and begin an analysis of the barter system, as that is the most basic example of a society based on contractual bonds. I will do my best to divide these up along what topics they cover.
Property Rights and Hegemony
Lessons for the Young Economist: The Institution of Private Property by Robert Murphy - A quick review over the different types of social institutions and an introduction to "capitalism" or "the market economy".
Property and the Social Order by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - Hoppe explains why private property rights are ultimately the only way to avoid conflict over resources in society.
Principles of Economics, Chapter 2.3 A. Economic Goods by Carl Menger - Why property must naturally exist in a world of scarcity.
Ownership by Ludwig von Mises - The first chapter of Mises great work "Socialism" in which he describes the praxeological basis of property and describes the difference between violence and contracts.
Human Action: Contractual Bonds and Hegemonic Bonds by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains the difference between a system where man is free to choose, and where only the dictator is free to choose as man is reduced to the state of a beast. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Barter Economy
Lessons for the Young Economist: Direct Exchange and Barter Prices by Robert Murphy - Why people make trades and how prices develop in barter.
Human Action: The Barter-Fiction of the Elementary Theory of Value and Prices by Ludwig von Mises - Mises discusses the imaginary construction of the barter system, discusses how it is useful for economic analysis, and common mistakes that have come from it. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Both
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 2 Direct Exchange by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard discusses the two types of interpersonal interaction (contractual and hegemonic), the praxeological implications of trade, the praxeological necessity of property, and the development of price. Relevant Study Guide Chapter
Praxgirl: Exchange and the Division of Labor - Invasive and noninvasive action, exchange, the division of labor, and the law of association.
- Indirect Exchange and Money
A barter system is incredibly limited in the types of exchanges it can make. To expand upon this, people can trade indirectly for goods and services, meaning that they trade for something they don't want themselves, but rather plan to use to make a another trade with someone else who does want this good and will trade them the thing they want in exchange for this. This system of trading leads people to look for the "most marketable" good in society so that they can most efficiently make indirect trades. The good that becomes the most marketable good in society is then called the "money". Money therefore has its origin in the free market.
Praxgirl: Money - The concept of money and how it emerges on the market.
Lessons for the Young Economist: Indirect Exchange and the Appearance of Money by Robert Murphy - The limitations of barter, the advantages of indirect exchange, and the free market origins of money.
What Has Government Done to Our Money? by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard explains what money is, how government messes it up, and gives a brief history of money in western civilization. This is also often partnered with The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar. Highly recommended.
What is Money? by Frederic Bastiat - Bastiat explains in dialogue form the many evils that come from confusing money with wealth. Audio version.
The Origin of Money and Its Value by Robert Murphy - The Mengarian explanation for the origin of money and the Misesian regression theorem.
The Origins of Money by Carl Menger - Menger explains how money is produced only by the free market, and not by state sanction.
The Ethics of Money Production by Jörg Guido Hülsmann - A great primer for advocating the separation of money and state.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 3 The Pattern of Indirect Exchange by Murray Rothbard - How indirect exchange expands the scope of a market and money emerges out of the marketability of certain goods. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Human Action: Indirect Exchange by Ludwig von Mises - Mises unifies micro and macroeconomics by applying marginal utility theory to money, explains the origin of money, and explains how free market banking works. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
- The Division of Labor and Specialization
When there is trade, people produce things not entirely for themselves, but for others as well. This divides labor into certain jobs that are spread across the population. And as people no longer need to produce all the things they want themselves, they can focus their energies on different tasks, honing their skills in certain areas and "specializing" in that task.
Lessons for the Young Economist: The Division of Labor and Specialization by Robert Murphy - How exchange allows for the division of labor, and how the principle of "comparative advantage" comes into play.
Human Action: Human Society by Ludwig von Mises - How human cooperation brings man out of individual isolation. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Also see "Trade is Made of Win" above for a quick example of comparative advantage.
Also see "Freedom, Inequality, Primitivism, and the Division of Labor" above and all of Human Action, Part Two - Action Within the Framework of Society.
- Profit, Loss, and Economic Calculation
The problem to be solved in the conduct of economic affairs is this: There are countless kinds of material factors of production, and within each class they differ from one another both with regard to their physical properties and to the places at which they are available. There are millions and millions of workers and they differ widely with regard to their ability to work. Technology provides us with information about numberless possibilities in regard to what could be achieved by using this supply of natural resources, capital goods, and manpower for the production of consumers' goods. Which of these potential procedures and plans are the most advantageous? Which should be carried out because they are apt to contribute most to the satisfaction of the most urgent needs? Which should be postponed or discarded because their execution would divert factors of production from other projects the execution of which would contribute more to the satisfaction of urgent needs?
... More advantageous means in this connection: an employment of these factors of production in such a way that the production of the consumers' goods more urgently asked for by the consumers gets priority over the production of commodities less urgently asked for by the consumers. (Ludwig von Mises, Bureaucracy)
With the existence of money, all prices may now be expressed in terms of the monetary unit, meaning that people can now calculate whether they "made money" or "lost money" by engaging in a certain line of production by comparing revenue with cost. This allows for the process of "economic calculation", which guides the factors of production so that the relative output of thousands of different commodities are made in accordance with their demand on the market, eliminating all surpluses and shortages in the drive to maximize profits.
What if there were no prices? - Without prices, how would you determine the best way to build this railroad?
Praxgirl: Economic Calculation - How money serves as a common denominator for calculation in a capitalist society.
Lessons for the Young Economics: Profit and Loss Accounting by Robert Murphy - The social function of economic calculation.
Profit and Loss by Ludwig von Mises - A brilliant paper fully explaining the function of profit and loss (duh) and how that guides the whole market economy.
Economics in One Lesson: The Function of Profits by Henry Hazlitt - How profits result in efficiency.
Defending the Undefendable: The Profiteer by Walter Block - Why is "profiteer" a thing when "wageer" isn't?
The Nature of Economic Activity by Ludwig von Mises - Mises describes the basics of economizing, and how complexity in production implies the need for a means of calculation.
Human Action: The Sphere of Economic Calculation by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains the limitation and usefulness of economic calculation in a monetary economy. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Human Action: Monetary Calculation as a Tool of Action by Ludwig von Mises - The significance of economic calculation cannot be overstated. It is not just a habit of businessmen, it is essential for human civilization. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 9.3.D Market Calculation and Implicit Earnings by Murray Rothbard - How markets calculate, and why the need to explicit external markets makes syndicalism impossible.
Also see Chapter 1 of Ludwig von Mises Bureaucracy and all of "Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth".
- Catallactics
"Catallactics" is the theory of exchange ratios and prices. The subject matter of catallactics is all market phenomena with all their roots, ramifications, and consequences.
Praxgirl: Catallactics - Catallactics is the market specific subset of praxeology.
Human Action: The Scope and Method of Catallactics by Ludwig von Mises - Mises lays out the method of economic analysis of the market, especially the idea of the "evenly rotating economy". Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 5.2 The Evenly Rotating Economy - The world of "certeris paribus" and how it is used in economic analysis.
- The Market and Competition
The most central figure in the market economy is the entrepreneur, who uses his knowledge of the market to try and use resources in such a way to better serve the consumer so that revenue will exceed costs and he can reap a profit from them. Free competition ensures that consumers get the quality of product that they want at the lowest possible cost.
Praxgirl: The Market - The market process and its role in human life.
Praxgirl: Entrepreneurship - An introduction to the concept of entrepreneurship and why it is essential to a free market.
Praxgirl: Competition - How catallactic competition creates prosperity in a free market.
Praxgirl: Economic Progress - Who benefits the most from the entrepreneurial process? Do markets favor the rich? The importance of capital accumulation and why advancing technological knowledge isn't enough to save Doc Brown if he's stuck in the Wild West without gas in his time-traveling DeLorean.
Lessons for the Young Economist: Entrepreneurship and Competition by Robert Murphy - The role of the entrepreneur, and how competition helps both customers and producers.
The Virtue of Competition by Tibor R. Machan - Why competition is friendly and promotes harmonious relations in mankind.
Human Action: The Market by Ludwig von Mises - A great introduction to free market economics in general. Mises especially stresses the idea of consumer sovereignty. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Human Action: Harmony and Conflict of Interests by Ludwig von Mises - In a contractual society there is mutual benefit. In a hegemonic society there is exploitation. Only a voluntary free market economy is capable of bringing peace and harmony to all mankind. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
- Prices
Ultimately, prices are determined by the value scales of the different people in society as they make trades to try and best benefit themselves while also promoting the welfare of those around them. The most common way this is displayed is in the famous "supply and demand graph".
Praxgirl: Market Prices - How market prices are determined and the "causal-realist" approach to economics.
Lessons for the Young Economist: Supply and Demand by Robert Murphy - How equilibrium prices are established and why markets always tend towards them.
Supply and Demand, Part 1 by Robert Murphy - The first of seven different videos explaining the basics on how supply and demand curves work, an essential concept to grasp for economic theory.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 4 Prices and Consumption by Murray Rothbard - On the marginal utility of money and the regression theorem. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Human Action: Prices by Ludwig von Mises - A long but important chapter of Human Action on how prices are formed from subjective consumer valuations. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
For further elaboration on monopoly prices, as is discussed in Human Action, see the "Product Control: Monopolies".
- The Purchasing Power of Money
Money is a good, and ultimately works the same as all other goods. However, it is somewhat unique in the sense that while other goods may express their market value in terms of money, money itself expressing its market value in terms of money would of course be tautological.
Praxgirl: Purchasing Power of Money - Praxgirl explains what the "price" of money is in a market and how it is determined.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 11 Money and Its Purchasing Power by Murray Rothbard - How supply and demand works for money. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Also see "Human Action - Indirect Exchange" above.
- Savings and Investment
The relationship between savings and the creation of capital goods was briefly covered in the previous "capital goods" section. The same rules still apply in the market economy, although they take on a little more complex characteristic as one group of people can save money while another then borrows that money to invest it into new production processes.
Praxgirl: Income vs Capital Supplemental - What's the difference between income and capital?
Lessons for the Young Economist: Income, Saving, and Investment by Robert Murphy - How saving and investment decreases current consumption for greater future consumption.
- Time Preference, Interest Rates, and Credit
The amount people save is ultimately dependent upon their time preferences, of whether they'd rather spend their money now or wait to spend it in the future. Interest rates are therefore ultimately derived from an individual's subjective time preferences.
Capital and Interest by Frederic Bastiat - Bastiat elaborates on the natural harmonies between lenders and borrowers, as capitalists and laborers work together.
Lessons for the Young Economist: Interest, Credit, and Debt by Robert Murphy - How time preference allows for loans borrowed from the savings of others, leading us to a "loanable funds market".
Human Action: Interest by Ludwig von Mises - How the discount on future goods leads to originary interest. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 6 Production: The Rate of Interest and its Determination by Murray Rothbard - How subjective time preferences determine the pure rate of interest and the role of the capitalist in the structure of production. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Socialism: The Command Economy
In this section we will analyze we will analyze a world that has been divided up into absolute rulers and into slaves, in which everything is controlled by these "rulers" or "kings" or "president" or "chairman" or "senators" or "tsar" or "prime minister" or "fuhrer" or "central planner" or whatever other name these tyrants give themselves. This is a system in which there is absolutely no contractual bond, only hegemonic bonds. This system is more commonly referred to as "communism" or "fascism" or "totalitarianism" or "socialism". This wiki will primarily use the term "socialism".
As noted in the "Socialism and Communism" part of the Application section, the word "socialism" has had many different definitions in the past and still many different definitions are used today. The "socialism" of Benjamin Tucker actually isn't too different from capitalism. However, we will deal with the more popular understanding of socialism as it was used by Marxists to mean the "transitionary stage" between capitalism and communism where the state owns all the means of production and plans how everything will be done.
For a quick summary of the definition of socialism, see [Socialism and Central Planning](Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 12.9.I Socialism and Central Planning by Murray Rothbard.
- The History of Socialism
History is not part of economics. However, understanding how the concept of socialism developed and how it has played out in practice is useful understanding the system as a whole. If you are interested, feel free to look at this section. If not, skip it.
Lessons for the Young Economist: The Failures of Socialism - History by Robert Murphy - Economics is a different science than history. Nevertheless, historical examples can illustrate economic principles quite well, and unfortunately the history of socialism is filled with poverty, starvation, and death.
Human Action, Chapter 25: The Imaginary Construction of a Socialist Society by Ludwig von Mises - The historical origins of socialism, how the idea was developed, and how it gained popularity. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
- The Economic Calculation Problem
Under socialism, the state owns all means of production. This means that in a socialist economy, there can be no trade of producer goods, meaning there can be no market prices, which means that socialism has no ability to economically calculate whether they are producing efficiently or not. They are grasping in the dark for something they cannot possibly find, which ultimately spells death for all mankind. The irony of socialist "central-planning" is that it cuts off all ability to plan in the first place, meaning that even if morally perfect angels were put at the heads of government, they still wouldn't be able to match the efficiency of the free market economy. With no possible method for being able to tell whether they are acting economically, a socialist economy is, in a very real sense, no economy at all.
Lessons for the Young Economist: The Failures of Socialism - Theory by Robert Murphy - The incentive problem of socialism and the calculation problems of socialism.
Calculation Problem, All in One Place by Smiling Dave - Explains the economic calculation problem in simple terms.
The End of Socialism and the Calculation Debate Revisited by Murray Rothbard - A full analysis of what the economic calculation problem is, how it was developed, criticisms of it, and how those criticisms are answered.
Calculation and Socialism by Joseph Salerno - A lecture on what the calculation problem is and why socialism can't calculate.
Calculation and the Question of Arithmetic by Jeffery Herbener -An explenation as to why the problem of economic calculation is not merely one of knowledge, but of addition.
Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains why a socialist economy is literally impossible and the importance of free market prices.
Human Action, Chapter 26: The Impossibility of Economic Calculation Under Socialism by Ludwig von Mises - Without private ownership of the means of production, there are no market prices for capital goods and other resources. Consequently, the socialist central planner cannot resort to arithmetic means of determining whether he is acting economically or not. This is a far more central critique of socialism then mere problems of incentives and corruption. Even if socialism was run by angels and everyone did the work assigned to them, socialism would still fail.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 9.3.E Vertical Integration and the Size of the Firm by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard discusses why businesses need a market to be able to calculate and why this means so called "free market monopolies" cannot possibly develop because they'd have no market to refer to, and then shows how the same criticism applies to socialism.
Socialism by Ludwig von Mises - Mises' great critique from both an economic, sociological, and a moral stance against the government owning all means of production.
- Syndicalism and Pseudo-Socialism
Syndicalism is a name for a form of "trade unionism", which can be best summarized in its slogans "the mines to the miners" and "the schools to the teachers". Like socialism, it aims at the abolition of the separation of workers from the means of production. However, instead of all workers coming to own all means of production, only those in particular industries will come to control that industry. Essentially, it gives those workers a monopoly over those industries, and consequently also forbids a worker from being able to sell the ownership rights to another, as allowing him to do that would be allow him to return to capitalism, which to the syndicalist is unforgivable in spite of that being the will of the worker in this case. Consequently, the syndicalist has no means allocating resources at all, which even state socialism can do (although not in any rational way). The syndicalist fails to realize the importance of the entrepreneurial function in dealing with changing conditions in the world, altering production process and allocating resources to certain industries to bring supply and demand back into order. The syndicalist idea could only work in a world frozen, free of any change. In other words, not the real world.
Syndicalist Syndrome by Murray Rothbard - The economic ignorance of syndicalism and why the horse-and-buggy industry should not have power over the automobile industry.
Anarcho-Syndicalism: A Recipe for Disaster by Daniel J. Sanchez - Why "hierarchical" boss relations are a good thing.
The Labor Theory of Value: A Critique of Carson's Studies in Mutualist Political Economy by Robert Murphy - A critique of one of the more recent mutualist works arguing for prices to be set according to their "labor value".
Human Action, Chapter 33: Syndicalism and Corporativism by Ludwig von Mises - A full analysis of syndicalism and other guild systems. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Man, Economy, and State: Ch. 9.3.D Market Calculation and Implicit Earnings by Murray Rothbard - How markets calculate, and why the need to explicit external markets makes syndicalism impossible.
Socialism: Pseudo-Socialist Systems by Ludwig von Mises - A refutation of solidarism, various proposals for expropriation, the idea of "profit-sharing", syndicalism, and "partial" socialism.
Also see "Chomsky's Economics" below.
Interventionism: The Hampered Market
While a totally hegemonic system may be impossible to achieve, hegemonic bonds can certainly be established within the framework of a market economy, hence the reason this is considered a "hampered" market. This is a market that is constantly being intervened with invaders. This invader may just be a common criminal, but more often than not the invader is the state itself. This is the so called "mixed" economy, where the state runs its own enterprises instead of leaving these services up to private enterprises, and regulates the activities of the market by means of coercion according to the will of the state rather than the will of the contractual owners. The different types of invasion can generally be divided up into three different categories: Triangular Intervention, Binary Intervention, and Autistic Intervention.
- Interventionism: Triangular Intervention
Triangular Intervention occurs when an invader compels a pair of people to make an exchange or prohibits them from doing so. The invader dictates the terms of the exchange. Consequently, there are two types of triangular intervention: price control and product control. Product control dictates what will or will not be exchanged while price control dictates the terms of the exchange.
- Price Control: Price Ceilings (i.e. Rent Control, Price Gouging, etc.)
A price ceiling is when coercion is used to prevent anyone from charging a rate higher than some arbitrary amount chosen by the invader. It is often claimed that this is done to "protect" people from high prices, helping the poor or the needy get a "fair deal". However, by using coercion to interfere with a voluntary contract, price ceilings prevent the people most desperate for these goods and services, the very people these policies are meant to help, from being able to outbid those whose need is less urgent.
Is Price Gouging Immoral? Should it Be Illegal? by Learn Liberty - Why price "gouging" can save people's lives during natural disasters.
Price Gouging - Stossel in the Classroom - A real world example of anti-price gouging laws making a bad situation even worse.
Economics in One Lesson: What Rent Control Does by Henry Hazlitt - Doesn't rent control help the poor get housing? What possible harm could it introduce?
Lessons for the Young Economist: Price Ceilings by Robert Murphy - What are the economic effects when we cap prices?
Defending the Undefendable - The Slumlord by Walter Block - Even the Green Arrow and the Green Lantern are against slum lords! (Warning, may induce rage.) But considering all that, how can a dirty slumlord be defended? And I really, really hate that comic.
Human Action, Chapter 30: Interference with the Structure of Prices by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains how price interferences disturb market efficiency and adds some historical context to past interferences as well. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
LibertyHQ Resources: Price Gouging
- Price Control: Price Floors (i.e. Minimum Wage, etc.)
A price floor is when coercion is used to prevent anyone from charging a rate lower than some arbitrary amount chosen by the invader. It is often claimed that this is done to "protect" people from low prices, helping the poor and needy get a "living wage". However by using coercion to interfere with a voluntary contract, price floors prevent the people most desperate for employment, the very people these policies are meant to help, from being able to underbid those whose need is less urgent.
Edgar the Exploiter - A fantastic video on how minimum wage laws hurts the very people they are designed to help.
How the Minimum Wage Creates Unemployment - Why preventing people from freely contracting to better their lives doesn't better their lives.
eEconomics- Minimum Wage - Great deadpan humor on minimum wage laws.
Why Racists Love the Minimum Wage Law by Thomas Sowell - How minimum wage laws enable discrimination.
The Hidden Costs of a Minimum Wage - An economic analysis of minimum wage laws.
Jeff's Story by Jeffrey Tucker- A personal story of someone losing out from minimum wage laws.
Economics in One Lesson: Minimum Wage Laws (part 2, part 3) by Henry Hazlitt - About as simple an explanation of the effects of minimum wage laws as you can hope.
Lessons for the Young Economist: Price Floors by Robert Murphy - Government intervention with prices and basic supply and demand graphs.
Also see above "Human Action, Chapter 30: Interference with the Structure of Prices".
- Prohibition (Narcotics, Alcohol, Prostitution, Rationing, etc.)
Prohibition occurs when coercion is used to prevent people from entering into a voluntary contract for a certain kind of good or service that the invader wishes to ban (except perhaps with a few exceptions it allows itself). Not only does preventing a voluntary contract hurt both parties involved though, but such a ban also pushes people into a "black market", turning formerly law abiding citizens into criminals.
What You Should Know About Drug Prohibition by Learn Liberty - A basic economic analysis of unintended consequences of the drug war.
Lessons for the Young Economist: Drug Prohibition by Robert Murphy - Why prohibition fosters corruption, violence, and decreases product safety.
The Economics of Prohibition by Mark Thorton - If it didn't work for alcohol, why would it work for anything else?
Drug Prohibition: A Legal and Economic Analysis by Walter Block - An economic and legal analysis.
Also see "Drugs" section above.
- Product Control: Monopolies
Praxgirl - Monopoly - Why the concept of monopolies are incompatible with the free market, and actually the result of non-market (government) forces.
Man, Economy, and State - Ch. 10 Monopoly and Competition by Murray Rothbard - An analysis of consumer sovereignty and why monopolies are literally impossible on a free market.
Also see the "Free Markets" section, the "Guilds and Government Licensing" section, and the "Mercantilism and Protectionism" sections.
- Monopoly: Central Banks
The American Dream - A cartoon looking at the problems of the Federal Reserve and fractional reserve banking.
Ben Bernanke Was Wrong - Failed prediction after failed prediction.
What You Should Know About Inflation by Henry Hazlitt - Hazlitt defines what inflation is, how it hurts you, and address some popular fallacies.
Lessons for the Young Economist: Inflation by Robert Murphy - How governments raise prices.
For a New Liberty - Chapter 9: Inflation and the Business Cycle: The Collapse of the Keynesian Paradign by Murray Rothbard - An explanation as to why the government and the fractional reserve banking industry is responsible for inflation and the business cycle.
The Origins of the Federal Reserve by Murray Rothbard - An explanation on how the Federal Reserve came to be.
The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin - It's alive! IT'S ALIVE!! Seriously though, this is a great historical analysis of the Federal Reserve.
Also see "Indirect Exchange and Money" section above, especially "What Has Government Done To Our Money".
- Mercantilism and Protectionism
The Candlemaker's Petition by Frederic Bastiat - Bastiat writes a fake petition from the producers of light in France for the government to ban the sun.
Economics in One Lesson: Who's "Protected" by Tariffs? by Henry Hazlitt - Don't tariffs protect a country from foreing competition? And accompanying video! Don't forget to read all sections, this just links to the first.
Economics in One Lesson: The Drive for Exports - Exports are good because money comes into the country while imports are bad because money leaves the country, right? And accompanying video! This one actually only has the one section...
Lessons for the Young Economist: Tariffs and Quotas - A basic analysis of mercantilism and the general case for free trade.
The Dangerous Nonsense of Protectionism by Murray Rothbard - The old beast of the "horrors" of foreign competition have risen again.
Also read Frederic Bastiat's "What is Money" above.
- Interventionism: Binary Intervention
Binary intervention occurs when an invaders enforces a coerced exchange between the individual subject and himself, or a coerced "gift" to himself from the subject.
- Taxes
Lessons for the Young Economist - Sales and Income Taxes
Economics in One Lesson: Taxes Discourage Production by Henry Hazlitt - How can raising the cost of business discourage business? Oh wait... And accompanying video! This one just has the one section, so you're good.
Man, Economy, and State, Ch. 12.8 - Binary Intervention: Taxation by Murray Rothbard - A look at why taxes always distort production, and why taxes may not be "shifted" onto consumers.
Power and Market, Chapter 4 - Binary Intervention: Taxation by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard analyses just about everything you can ever think of related to taxes. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Human Action, Chapter 28: Interference by Taxation by Ludwig von Mises - How taxes always interfere with market production. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Also see "That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen" above, as well as the "Application" section on taxes above.
- Government Expenditures
Economics in One Lesson: Public Works Mean Taxes by Henry Hazlitt - Shouldn't the government create jobs to help unemployment? And accompanying video! Don't forget to read all sections, this just links to the first.
Man, Economy, and State, Ch. 12.9 - Binary Intervention: Government Expenditures by Murray Rothbard - An explanation on how subsidies keep inefficient businesses in practice, and why the government can't be run as a business. Relevant Study Guide Chapter
Power and Market, Chapter 5 - Binary Intervention: Government Expenditures (Part 2)by Murray Rothbard - Why the government is so horrible at handling resources and destroys everything it touches. Also a criticism of the idea of democracy and "public" ownership. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Bureaucracy by Ludwig von Mises- Mises explains why private property leads to economic calculation, and all deviations away from private property (i.e. all government agencies and interference) leads to bureaucracy as the only alternative method of dealing with scarcity. Highly Recommended.
Also see "Lessons for the Young Economist - Sales and Income Taxes" above.
- Artificial Credit Expansion, Booms, and Recessions
The Austrian Business Cycle Explained - A short explanation about how interfering with the "price" of money creates economic chaos all over the economy.
"Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem by EconStories - Ah, rap battles. Never leave us. Also gives a surprisingly deep look at Keynesian and Austrian business cycle theory.
Lessons for the Young Economist: The Business Cycle by Robert Murphy - How government intervention causes the business cycle.
Economic Depressions: Their Cause and Cure by Murray Rothbard - Just as the title says, it's an explanation for why the boom-bust cycle occurs.
Man, Economy, and State - Ch. 12.11 Inflation and Business Cycles by Murray Rothbard - A full analysis of the Austrian Business Cycle Theory as caused by the state.
Also see "Monopoly: Central Bank" section and the "Indirect Exchange and Money" section above, especially "What Has Government Done To Our Money"..
- Interventionism: Autistic Intervention
Autistic Intervention occurs when an invader restricts the victims use of his own property. This is distinguished from binary intervention as the invader does not receive any definite good or service. Simple examples would be homicide, assault, vandalism, pollution, or any other property destroying acts.
- War and Destruction
Economics in One Lesson: The Blessings of Destruction by Henry Hazlitt - Does war stimulate the economy? And the accompanying video! Don't forget to read all sections of the chapter, this only links to the first.
The Political Economy of the Art of War by Matthew McCaffrey - How Sun Tzu’s thought is grounded in the economic point of view.
Imperialism and the Logic of War Making by Joseph Salerno - To make war is a purposeful decision, and is thus open to praxeological analysis.
Human Action: The Economics of War by Ludwig von Mises - Why government never needs to impose market controls, even as a "war-time emergency measure", and how the total war of the 20th century arose from government interventionism with the market economy. Relevant Study Guide Chapter.
Also see above video on the Broken Window Fallacy and Frederic Bastiat's "That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen".
"Alternative" Econ: Mistaken Approaches
No other study is quite so plagued by fallacious thinking as economics. Not only is the subject itself naturally difficult and abstract, but it is also plagued by a myriad of special interests who can gain at the expense of others. This is a quick listing of resources for critiques of some of the more prominent schools of thought.
Mainstream Critiques
These are the most common critiques and the most common problems people claim to find with the free market.
An Austrian Critique of Mainstream Economics by Walter Block - An address of some fundamental fallacies in mainstream economic analysis. See why everything you learned in your highschool economics class was absolutely worthless!
MES 5.8: Money Costs, Prices, and Alfred Marshall by Murray Rothbard - An explanation as to why prices determine costs instead of cost determining price, and why the "Marshallian scissors" are a myth.
Externalities by Robert Murphy - Why the mainstream critique of "externalities" does not imply that government needs to intervene with the market. Also see the "Environmentalism and Conservation" section above.
MES 12.B: "Collective Goods" and "External Benefits" - Two Arguments for Government Activity - Some problems with being able to judge the supposed "externalities" of the market, and why the government need not step in to "fix" these "problems".
Marxism
Based primarily around the works of Karl Marx and his book Das Kapital, Marxism can be applauded for its tremendous ability to get absolutely everything wrong. This school of thought is the primary reason the 20th century was marked by huge totalitarian states and is responsible for the deaths of millions. The primary flaw of the whole system, however, has some seemingly innocent roots in the old labor theory of value, which had been prominent among economists since the time of Adam Smith. Showing the problems with this essential idea of value destroys the entire Marxist system of economics.
There is only one good thing to say about Marx: he was not a Keynesian.
The Legacy of Karl Marx by Henry Hazlitt - A critique of the Communist Manifesto.
Time Will Run Back by Henry Hazlitt - The world has been taken over by socialism, and the son of the dictator of the Won World Government is suddenly thrust into a position of power in which he accidentally rediscovers capitalism step by step. This goes into a detailed critique of why Marxism is wrong at its core and shows step by step how it can't work, as well as plenty of other goodies. Highly recommended.
Karl Marx and the Close of His System by Eugen Bohm-Bawerk - Bohm-Bawerk (who has an awesome name I might add) critiques Karl Marx's Das Kapital.
The Clash of Group Interests by Ludwig von Mises - Mises lays out a theory of social organization in response to the Marxist critique of the free society. He explains that the Marxist view is wrong concerning its claim that there is a clash of group interests in the market order. Rather, the market system is one of cooperation and mutual benefit.
Marxism Unmasked: From Delusion to Destruction by Ludwig von Mises - A collection of nine lectures given in one week by Mises. He discusses Marx and his place in the history of ideas, the destruction wrought by his dangerous ideology, the manner in which his followers have covered up his errors, and how the Marxists themselves have worked for so long to save Marxism from itself. He discusses Marxist claims about history and refutes the smear of the industrial revolution.
Also see "Socialism: The Command Economy" for deeper analysis of why the Marxist system cannot work, and the "Free Markets: Exploitation" section to see why the capitalist system does not "exploit" workers, but instead works for mutual benefit.
Keynesianism
Based primarily around the works of John Maynard Keynes and his book The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money, Keynesianism is the most prominent of the anti-market schools today, and the foundation of most mainstream economic analysis. These are the people you'll see winning most Nobel Prizes, no matter how little they deserve them (i.e. Paul Krugman, who literally claimed a fake alien invasion would save the economy; Ozymandias would be proud).
The worst of the worst policies we see enacted today by the state, especially those supported by the "liberal" social democrats, such as bailouts, stimulus packages, "quantitative easing" (i.e. printing lots and lots of money), support for gigantic wars, and just about every other awful thing you can think of starts here. While usually still wanting to keep the market working on some level, and therefore supporting interventionism, Keynesians fall more to the fascist side of (mostly government with a little free market), rather than the free market with a little intervention side. Not surprising, as Keynes himself said his ideas were better suited for Nazi Germany than they were for laissez-faire, as we shall see below.
Keynesians are essentially necromancers that raise economic fallacies long thought to be dead. The two most prominent ones to look out for are the Broken Window Fallacy in claiming that destruction will create wealth because it encourages spending, and their rejection of Say's Law of Markets which leads them into believing that general gluts are really a thing and implies they have a fundamental misunderstanding of how aggregate demand and supply works.
Keynesian Economics in Under One Minute - A great example of the broken window fallacy from the 1997 movie "The Fifth Element" which, yes, does run rampant under Keynesianism.
"Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem by EconStories - Ah, rap battles. Never leave us. Also gives a surprisingly deep look at Keynesian and Austrian business cycle theory.
Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two (this is a sequel to "Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem) by EconStories - F.A. Hayek and John Maynard Keynes debate economic approaches to depressions and unemployment.
The Critical Flaw in Keynes' System - The entire system of John Maynard Keynes's General Theory rests on the claim that under laissez-faire, the labor market could be stuck in an equilibrium with a large glut, for years on end. His argument fails on both empirical and theoretical grounds. Absent government intervention, wages and salaries would adjust to clear the labor market. In the real world, there definitely is "involuntary unemployment," but this is due to government, union, and central-bank distortions.
The Misesian Case Against Keynes by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - An analysis of the major departures of Keynes from classical economic theory, and why they fail on all grounds.
Keynes and the "New Economics" of Fascism by Joseph Salerno - It's not a coincidence that Keynes said his ideas were better suited for the totalitarian state than free competition.
Dissent on Keynes - A collection of articles by various authors tackling all sorts of Keynesian fallacies.
Keynes the Man by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard gives an autobiography of the life of John Maynard Keynes, founder of the Keynesian School of Economic Thought. This is well accompanied by his lecture Keynes: Hero or Villain?.
Keynes vs Say's Law - An excerpt from The Failure of the "New Economics", specifically showing how Keynes supposed refutation of Say's Law of Markets is nothing more than a strawman. Say's Law essentially says that for people to demand anything, they first need to have a supply of something they can use to demand something else, or in other words, products exchange against other products. Keynes misstated this law as "supply creates its own demand", giving the implication that people will buy what you produce no matter how worthless it is. This misunderstanding is at the core of the whole Keynesian system. Revealing this problem is therefore quite damning of the whole Keynesian system.
The Failure of the "New Economics" by Henry Hazlitt - Hazlitt gives a chapter by chapter critique of John Maynard Keynes' General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money.
The Critics of Keynesianism - A collection from various books and articles, this is the most powerful anti-Keynes collection ever assembled.
Also see "Interventionism: The Hampered Market Economy".
The Chicago School
The Chicago School is, for the most part, very far on the free market side of things. However, there are some noticeable problems with some of their work, mainly in their methodology, which still has a Keynesian basis. As Milton Friedman once said, "we're all Keynesians now", and he specifically meant it in terms of their methodological approach to economics (Friedman certainly didn't agree with Keynes politically).
The Chicago School vs The Austrian School by Robert Murphy - The problems with methodology, views of the business cycle, and the importance of property rights.
The Fed: The Chicago School's Achilles Heel by Robert Murphy - While the Chicago School has for the most part been entirely in favor of the free market in matters of minimum wage laws, tariffs, and government "bailouts", it's neglect of capital theory is a serious deficiency, as seen by its view of the role of the Federal Reserve.
The Chicago School: Libertarian or Jacobin? by Joseph Salerno - How the Chicago School was formed around the idea of "perfect" competition.
Is Milton Friedman a Keynesian? An Analysis of the Chicago School by Roger Garrison - In his own words, Friedman was a Keynesian, but why exactly is that and how far down does his Keynesianism go?
Friedman and Mises on Method by Roderick T. Long - Showing that Milton Friedman’s criticism of Austrian apriorism and his criticism of the Austrian rejection of unrealistic economic models are rooted in the same philosophical mistake.
Also see everything here on Milton Friedman.
Historical Works: Libertarians Past
Economic History
What is Austrian Economics? - A brief history of the Austrian School, from its Thomist roots, to the Mengarian foundations, to the works of Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard.
Economic Thought Before Adam Smith and Classical Economics - Rothbard's last works describing a thorough history of economic thought through all times. He died before he could finish part three, which would take us up to the present day. However, we do have many of his notes and lectures on what he was planning on writing, which has been collected as an unofficial third volume in From Marx to Hayek.
The School of Salamanca by Marjorie Grice-Hutchinson - Follow the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas, the School of Salamanca was a group of Spanish and Portuguese theologians that began the study of economics as a serious science.
- American History
Conceived in Liberty by Murray Rothbard - A tremendously thorough and fascinating work in to the libertarian history and influences of the Americas and how the new world was truly conceived in liberty.
The Betrayal of the American Right by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard identified with the "Old Right" movement who called for peace and an end to the bureaucratization of society. With the start of the Cold War though, things began to change.
Jefferson by Albert Jay Nock - A biography of the most radical of the Founding Fathers.
America's Great Depression by Murray Rothbard - An explanation of the causes of the greatest economic disaster in human history.
The Panic of 1819 by Murray Rothbard - The definitive book of the first depression in US history, which was surprisingly never fully analyzed professionally until this book.
A History of Money and Banking in the United States - The Colonial Era to World War 2 by Murray Rothbard - Like "From Marx to Hayek", this is a compilation of works by Rothbard on the history of, well, what the title says brought together after his death.
- War
Hu-ah. Yeah. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.
Great Wars and Great Leaders - A Libertarian Rebuttal by Ralph Raico - Were the World Wars really black and white fights between good and evil?
Omnipotent Government - The Rise of the Total State and Total War by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains how the great totalitarian states of the 20th century came to be. This might be the most anti-Nazi book ever written.
Also see the "Warfare and Foreign Policy" section above.
- Biographical
Who is Frederic Bastiat by Thomas DiLorenzo - A quick guide to his life and influence.
Who is Ludwig von Mises by Murray N. Rothbard - A quick guide to his life and influence.
Who is Murray Rothbard by David Gordon - A quick guide to his life and influence.
Who is Albert Jay Nock by Jeffrey Tucker - A quick guide to his life and influence.
Who is F. A. Hayek by Peter G. Klein - A quick guide to his life and influence.
The Philosopher-Theologian: St. Thomas Aquinas - A towering figure of the Middle Ages and one of the greats of philosophical thought and Christian apologetic, Aquinas also began modern economic analysis.
Mises: The Last Knight of Liberalism by Jörg Guido Hülsmann - In this extensive work, not only do we get a full biography of Ludwig von Mises, but we also get a historical analysis showing why he was truly the last great knight of liberalism.
Frederic Bastiat: A Man Alone by George Charles Roche III - Frederic Bastiat remains one of the most witty, insightful, and influential libertarians today, who worked his entire life fighting for liberty, even on his early deathbed. He was truly inspiring.
Purity Test: Libertarians Present
Libertarians highly value being principled and logically consistent, so here's some critique of why some big name libertarians are actually filthy statists! Joking, of course. Just because someone's name here does not mean they are "excommunicated" or anything. Libertarianism is not an unquestionable dogma, but neither is it just this subjective relativistic idea of a label that just "sounds nice. It's a elaboration of the implications of consistently respecting the rights of others.
Adam Smith, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman & Capitalism? - A first pass at criticisms of some big names. Personally though, I think a good case can be made for Mises as he did support individual secession. If he stopped short, it was only on technical grounds, not principle. "If it were in any way possible to grant this right of self-determination to every individual person, it would have to be done." (Ludwig von Mises, Liberalism, pp. 109–10)
The Heroic March of Anarcho-Capitalism - Yes! Burn all the bridges! Kill the non-believers! Seriously though, just a healthy reminder for remembering who your real enemies are. Anyways, back to the actual critique!
Do You Hate the State? by Murray Rothbard - Another reminder that while there are plenty of areas that libertarians disagree and fiercely debate on, the ultimate thing that unifies us together as one coherent group is our shared passion for freedom. We are radicals for liberty, and that is our most important feature.
Why Paleo? by Murray Rothbard - The problem of "modal libertarians", and why libertarianism should be deeper than just some adolescent, militant atheist, non-conformist, anti-authoritarian, egalitarian, "you're not the boss of me" philosophy. The libertarian support libertarianism because he loves liberty, not because he a teenager looking for some ideology to use as an excuse for his rebellion against "social authority".
Mozart was a Red - A play written by Murray Rothbard about his experience with Ayn Rand. Stars a young Jeff Tucker!
Ayn Rand on Libertarianism - Despite Objectivisms close ties to libertarianism, Ayn Rand herself did not consider herself a libertarian and highly resented the movement, saying that she thought that they were just the "hippies of the right" who plagiarized her idea. The long tradition of libertarianism, which at least extends back to John Locke, long before Ayn Rand entered the scene, does not seem to change this charge of plagiarism.
The Sociology of the Ayn Rand Cult by Murray Rothbard - An analysis of many of the problems that developed in Objectivism.
Leonard Peikoff Interview about attacking IRAN - Objectivist Leonard Peikoff talks about why he thinks the US would be justified in nuking Iran, even if it kills innocent civilians in the process.
Hayek's Road to Serfdom by Walter Block - The Road to Serfdom was one of the most famous anti-socialist books around, a rallying-cry against central-planning, and remains influential to this day. It is, however, guilty of many problems itself that undermine the whole argument and in some ways even advances central-planning.
The Ethics of Liberty, Chapter 28: F.A. Hayek and the Concept of Coercion by Murray Rothbard - Problems with the Constitution of Liberty and Hayek's idea of coercion.
Why Mises (and not Hayek)? by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - A review of Hayek as an economist following Mises and Hayek as a moderate social democrat.
The Adam Smith Myth by Murray Rothbard - Why Adam Smith was a plagiarizing proto-Marxist.
On Milton Friedman by Murray Rothbard - A speech by Rothbard specifically focusing on the negatives of Friedman as it's assumed you already know the good.
Milton Friedman Unraveled by Murray Rothbard - The egalitarian origins of the Chicago School and why Milton Friedman really wasn't much of a supporter of free markets at all.
Robert Nozick and the Immaculate Conception of the State by Murray Rothbard - Some inherent problems of Nozick's "minimal" state.
The Myth of Reaganomics by Murray Rothbard - Reagan was more of an advocate for "supply-side keynesianism" than he was "free markets", in spite of his free market rhetoric. He was an actor, after all.
Chomsky's Economics by James Ostrowski - Noam Chomsky critics a lot of stuff, but finding out what he is for is a much more difficult subject.
Don't forget to look at Rothbard's "History of Economic Thought Volumes 1 & 2" for a review of everyone since Socrates to Bastiat.
Strategy for Liberty: Libertarians Future
So now, with a large intellectual basis for the libertarian position (what it is, why it should be supported, and why it makes economic sense), it is now important to understand how the libertarian victory will ultimately be obtained. The first and most important step is, of course, education. Man's defining characteristic is his ability to reason, and one of the main problems with all forms of authoritarianism is that by utilizing means of violence and compulsion, they abandon the use of reason, abandon their very nature as human beings, in favor of the realm of animalistic instinct. The triumph of liberty, the triumph of reason, therefore requires proper cultivation of reason. Furthermore, the primary reason any government stays in power, its true means of controlling the people, is in convincing them that what they state is doing by denying them their liberty is actually "good" for them, or at least that their tyranny is a "necessary evil". In convincing the people of this, they pacify them, keep them obedient and subservient. The true might of tyrants does not lie in physical compulsion, but in ideological control.
Six Stages of the Libertarian Movement by Murray Rothbard - An explanation as to how the modern libertarian movement developed and where it needs to go from here.
What Must be Done by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - The Austro-Libertarian strategy for social revolution.
For a New Liberty: A Strategy for Liberty by Murray Rothbard - Why the libertarian must never be a "gradualist" and why, ultimately, liberty will win.
The Ethics of Liberty, Chapter 30: Toward a Theory of Strategy for Liberty by Murray Rothbard - Why the libertarian needs to hold the victory of liberty as his highest goal, above and beyond any other aesthetic and passive considerations.
May a Libertarian Take Money From the Government? by Walter Block - Block responds to some fan mail addressing the question of whether it is okay for a libertarian to take money from the government, as we are in fact living in a world of great injustice and must make do with it as best we can if immediate justice has not been attained yet.
Also see "The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude" below for an analysis of how tyrants manage to stay in power, not by force, but by ideology.
Liberty and Religion: Church vs State
Metaphysics and theology are not, as the positivists pretend, products of an activity unworthy of Homo sapiens, remnants of mankinds primitive age that civilized people ought to discard. They are a manifestation of mans unappeasable craving for knowledge.
- Ludwig von Mises, The Ultimate Foundation of Economic Science
Libertarianism is not a religious movement, and as we encourage the separation of church and state (just as we want to separate the state from pretty much everything else), the two should probably be kept as separate matters. Religion is, after all, mainly a metaphysical belief, which is an entirely different subject from political philosophies. However, religion and politics are nonetheless often connected, and talking about the relation there, while not inherently necessary, often comes up anyways. And with the recent rise in atheism, the charge that a libertarian must be atheistic has become somewhat popular (especially by the Ayn Randian Objectivists), while the opposite claim that a libertarian must believe in God is very rarely heard. Libertarianism has had a very proud tradition of religious members, including John Locke, Frederic Bastiat, most of the Founding Fathers, G. K. Chesterton, Lord Acton, the Catholic Scholastics, Lew Rockwell, Ron Paul, Judge Napolitano, and plenty of others. It is also worth noting that the principle of the separation of church and state remains just as true when that "church" is atheism, which creates the horid Statheist. It could happen to you!!!
From the other end, some people of faith may complain with the libertarian ideas of self-ownership. We do not own ourselves, they say, but are actually owned by God. However, legal ownership is pretty much always talked about in the context of human beings relationship with other human beings, not human beings to God. Acts of God are rarely prosecuted. And let's not forget that this is also the God that gave us free will and control over our own bodies. What is ownership but control? Has God not granted us self-ownership then? If we are truly responsible for our own actions, then this too is an argument for self-ownership, and violating said ownership no longer just remains a criminal act, but becomes blasphemy against God and the gift God has granted.
Libertarianism encourages tolerance of other people's belief and behavior that deviates from our own, and while tolerance does not necessarily imply approval, unnecessary hostilities should be avoided.
General Relation of Religion and Libertarianism
Liberalism 1.12 - Tolerance by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains how religion and classical liberal beliefs (aka libertarianism) can exist side by side and why liberalism encourages tolerance for others.
Human Action - Liberalism and Religion by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains why the anti-theocracy position of libertarianism is not anti-religious and in fact keeps religion safe from wars between one church and another church.
The Place of Religion in the Liberal Philosophy of Constant, Tocqueville, and Lord Acton by Ralph Raico - A historical look at three of the most influencial classical liberals around who's religious and moral orientation was central to their thought.
- Christianity
Modern libertarianism is primarily a result of Western Civilization, which has historically been intellectually dominated by the Greco-Roman culture of classical antiquity and Christendom. Consequently, it is of special importance among the world religions in its relation to libertarianism.
This list was primarily provided by /u/ajvenigalla, as seen here. Thank you for your contribution!
Also be sure to check out /r/christian_ancaps!
Christian Political Theory
On Kingship by St. Thomas Aquinas - Aquinas discusses the Christian basis of government as the provider of justice in the context of Aristotelian political theory.
Two Treatise of Government by John Locke - One of the most influential political treatise of all time is filled with Christian discussion and ethics. In fact, a large portion of the work is a Biblical analysis and refutation of the idea that the Divine right of kings can be established through Adam.
The Reasonableness of Christianity by John Locke - Locke specifically defends Christianity, especially on the place of reason in matters of faith.
The Law by Frederic Bastiat - As has been explained before, this is an excellent libertarian treatise, and Bastiat beings his argument by saying how he understands natural law to be a gift from God.
The Individualist Code by Stephen D. Cox - How the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament paved the way for modern individualism.
Why Christians Make Great Libertarians - The history of the libertarian tradition and Christianity.
Historic Relation
The Church and the Market by Thomas Woods Jr. - A Catholic Defense of the Free Economy. Sorry, I can't seem to find a pdf version of it. You can purchase it here.
Early Catholic Social Teaching: The State as Robber by Bryan Cheang - "Justice being taken away, then, what are kingdoms but great robberies?" (St. Augustine)
The Philosopher-Theologian: St Thomas Aquinas by Murray Rothbard - A biography of the man and his influence on economic thought.
The Christian Middle Ages and part 2 by Murray Rothbard - Taken from his History of Economic Though, these audio clips detail how Christian thought developed and influenced Europe and libertarianism.
Miscellaneous Modern Writings
Ron Paul - Christian Issue - Ron Paul speaks upon his beliefs and how it relates to his libertarianism.
The Pope and Basic Economics by Judge Napolitano - The Napolitano critiques the Pope's understanding of Capitalism. He expanded upon this paper and discussed some reaction to it in the video The Pope, the Constitution, and Economics 101
Is Libertarianism Compatible with Religion? by Laurence Vance: This article is a breakdown on how libertarianism is not incompatible with religion, and how it relates to Christianity. Why Libertarians Need God by Jay Richards
Jesus Is An Anarchist by James Redford: The classic anarcho-capitalist essay makes the convincing case that Jesus Christ and His teachings were actually equivalent to Rothbardian anarchism.
An Economic Commentary on the Bible: Genesis to Revelation by Gary North - This is a commentary on the entire Bible from a Calvinist, Rothbardian natural rights, minarchistic perspective explaining why the Bible is essentially a pro-capitalism and anti-socialist book. He believes that the essential message of the Bible is that God owns the universe, man has been made the steward of the universe, this makes theft immoral, man must necessarily always deal with scarcity, and that those that keep God's covenant will be rewarded. In other news, apparently Rothbardian minarchism is a thing. Huh.
The New Testament Theology of the State by Norman Horn: While it doesn't contain the word "libertarian" and "anarchist," this essay is definitely libertarian anarchist in spirit as well as inflected by the spirit of New Testament Christianity, which makes for a worthwhile read.
Give Unto Caesar? by David Hathaway
Caesar and God In Context by Christopher Bevis
Render Unto Caesar: A Most Misunderstood New Testament Passage by Jeffrey F. Barr
Social Conservative Pharisees by Paul Green
If God Is Pro-War — He Lied by Paul Green
Rights, Liberties and Romans 13 by Paul Green
Romans 13 and Anarcho-Capitalism by Jim Fedako: A great essay defending the anarcho-capitalist viewpoint from a Biblical standpoint.
The Exclusive Kingdom of God by Paul Green
Libertarian Christians by Norman Horn
The Reformed Libertarian by C. Jay Engel
Simple Liberty by Darrell L. Anderson
Comedy: Make 'Em Laugh
Comedy is an excellent tool for exposing some of the more ridiculous nature of human life and exposing fallacious doctrines people can hold. Also it can occasionally be funny.
The Kronies - They're Konnected! - A hilarious commercial for the Krony action figure set, in there eternal battle against the evil Entrepreneurs! Each bought and sold separately! Highly recommended.
This is what Libertarians Actually Believe 1 and Part 2
Doug Stanhope criticizes Occupy Wall Street - How to do some proper activism.
Doug Stanhope on USA vs UK Violence - How gun ownership and private healthcare promotes peace and disarming and socializing healthcare promotes violence.
Clarke and Dawe - Quantitative Easing
- WKUK
Be a Cop - An advertisement for police requirement and the special privileges that come with it, as well as a not-so-subtle note on the way all laws are ultimately backed up.
Clint Webb - A politician tells the truth for once.
Crack - The war on drugs and race relations.
Pledge of Allegiance - It really really isn't creepy to have little litle kids mindlessly resite this anthem.
Teachers Union - A few things wrong with the public school system.
Moon Bears - Basic political distraction from real core issues.
Nerf Nuke - The cold war and US foreign policy brilliantly summized.
Anarchy - A group of anarcho-communists/primitivists quickly discover some basic problems of the division of labor.
- Yes Prime Minister
If the Right People Don't Have the Power
- Penn and Teller
Fictional Works: Stories of Freedom
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - The horrors of egalitarianism. Here's a 30-minute movie based on it: 2081
1984 by George Orwell - The best dystopian literature. The ultimate expression of the libido dominandi. Alternative copy
Animal Farm by George Orwell - An allegory for the rise and fall of soviet communism and how some animals are more equal than others. Alternative copy.
Anthem by Ayn Rand - Miraculously, Rand was in fact able to write a story that wasn't a thousand pages long. This is the story of a man in a socialist world that has destroyed most technological progress of mankind who sets out to rediscover the lightbulb.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein - A science fiction story of the moon revolting against the rule of Earth.
Time Will Run Back by Henry Hazlitt - The world has been taken over by socialism, and the son of the dictator of the Won World Government is suddenly thrust into a position of power in which he accidentally rediscovers capitalism step by step. Highly recommended.
For more suggestions, check out this list of libertarian fiction works! Also check out "The Adventure of Jonathan Gullible" above.
I would also have Atlas Shrugged on here, but as I do not have an online pdf link to link to, and considering how Rand also was a firm believer in intellectual property, she probably would appreciate it being listed here. Never mind that I already put her book Anthem above this. *shrug*
Advanced: Getting Serious
The above is intentionally kept at a more "introduction" level for the most part. If you want to tackle some of the big works though, I'll provide them here as well. Listed in no particular order.
- Libertarian
The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude by Etienne de la Boetie - Why do people hold up their own oppressors?
Two Treatise of Government by John Locke - A libertarian classic! In these great works, Locke discusses the problem place of the law, a discussion of natural rights, and the first formalization of the homesteading principle!
Common Sense by Thomas Paine - The famous pamphlet that would be extremely influential in pushing the American colonies towards declaring independence. Some excellent attacks on the supposed right of kings and the necessity of freedom.
The Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard's other great work on libertarian principle besides For a New Liberty. This one takes a much more systematic approach.
The Foundations of Morality by Henry Hazlitt - Hazlitt's argument for "rules-utilitarianism", and why getting the best results possible requires logically consistent moral behavior. Hazlitt considered this book his most important lifetime contribution.
Liberalism by Ludwig von Mises - Mises's classic statement in defense of a free society.
Socialism by Ludwig von Mises - Mises' great critique from both an economic, sociological, and a moral stance against the government owning all means of production.
The Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek - A fantastic book to the socialists of all parties as to why each step away from the free market necessarily leads towards totalitarian dictatorships. A great work, although not without its faults as was outlined here by Walter Block.
The Anti-Capitalist Mentality by Ludwig von Mises - Why is the idea of free, voluntary exchange so frightening to people and tied to "greed"?
Democracy The God That Failed by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - HHH explains why democracy simply doesn't work, giving a thorough analysis and coming to the surprising conclusion that even a monarchical government would be more consistent with libertarianism than democracy, and why the idea of natural order is preferable to all else.
A Theory of Socialism & Capitalism by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - The two basic archetypes of human interaction, how well they "mix", and what they imply.
The Economics and Ethics of Private Property by Hans-Hermann Hoppe - A collection of essays on how private property works and why it is at the very foundation of all aspects of human life.
Our Enemy, the State by Albert Jay Nock - One of the great classics in defining the differences between the state and society. Jeff Tucker approved!
The State by Franz Oppenheimer - An under-appreciated classic of the true nature of the state as a group not established by some mythical "social contract", but by force, like any other gang of bandits.
Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick - One of the great libertarian works filled with interesting stories and analogies such as "The Tale of the Slave" above, although somewhat critiqued in Robert Nozick and the Immaculate Conception of the State for its inconsistent view of anarchy.
- Economics
Human Action by Ludwig von Mises - Possibly the greatest economic treatise ever written. In addition, here's Robert Murphy's Study Guide to Human Action
Man, Economy, and State with Power and Market by Murray Rothbard - Rothbard expands on Human Action to make his own treatise. Power and Market is technically a seperate work, although it was originally meant to be part of MES, that focuses specifically on critiquing all forms of intervention by the state. In addition, here's Robert Murphy's Study Guide to Man, Economy, and State with Power and Market
The Theory of Money & Credit by Ludwig von Mises - Mises' first great work in which he successfully integrates macro and micro economic theory, and has been said to be the best book on money ever written. In addition, here's Robert Murphy's Study Guide to The Theory of Money & Credit
Capital & Interest by Eugen Bohm-Bawerk - Bohm-Bawerk lays the fundamentals for Austrian production theory and explains the nature of (naturally) capital and interest.
Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth by Ludwig von Mises - Mises explains why a socialist economy is literally impossible and the importance of free market prices.
Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles by Jesús Huerta de Soto - An analysis of money from the Misesian-Rothbardian perspective. Jörg Guido Hülsmann ranks it as one of the greatest contributions to Austrian Economic thought, among the ranks even of Mises' Theory of Money & Credit. High praise indeed!
Karl Marx and the Close of His System by Eugen Bohm-Bawerk - Bohm-Bawerk (who has an awesome name I might add) critiques Karl Marx's Das Kapital.
The Failure of the "New Economics" by Henry Hazlitt - Hazlitt gives a chapter by chapter critique of John Maynard Keynes' General Theory.
A Treatise of Political Economy by Jean-Baptiste Say - The work that developed the famous Say's Law of Markets, which is crucial for refuting modern Keynesian economists. While Smith downplayed the role of the entrepreneur, Say brings him to center stage. Say does a brilliant job of showing the stability of market structures.
Shows, Podcasts, and other Resources
This is a list of regularly updated sites that talk on a wide variety of libertarian subjects.
The Mises Institute and the Mises Media
Foundation for Economic Education (FEE)
The Future of Freedom Foundation
Zero Hedge by Tyler Durden
Adam vs The Man by Adam Kokesh
Freedomain Radio by Stephan Molyneux
SchoolSucksProject - Education Evolution
Free Advice by Robert Murphy
Ron Paul's Texas Straight Talk
/r/libertarian FAQ
Social Media communication tips
I watched this video by Black Pigeon Speaks, who is a conservative Christian sort of channel that exposes the deep state, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWj7CjZwR9o&list=PL33cnrJIsyzSbdFAdoo0tqkEqAGnJf2xP&index=61&t=0s
And, it perfectly sums things up. Essentially, all of the social media and MSM degeneracy can be explained by one thing: Central banks(the federal reserve), Chase bank(controlled by the Rockefellers), but the main insitutional investors are Vanguard, Blackrock, and others, but the first two hold massive capital funds that control MSM, and now, Facebook, Google, and reddit, and many more(probably DNS registrars too, so we must change the internet too). Here is a recent article by Breitbart,
and Google is massively going against its free speech rhetoric of 2000's and is going to massively start to censor.
Here are alternatives to Google:
SearX(free speech search engine)
edit: forgot Duckduckgo.com
bing is pretty good, but it might start censoring
bitchute.com is a great alternative to youtube. So is Dtube but Steemit and dtube are starting to censor.
Minds.com is a good social media platform.
Gab is awesome.
voat.co is way better than reddit
use the Brave browser instead of chrome or firefox(firefox is heavily SJW now). But a comment below said that Firefox is still really good for privacy, so also use firefox too.
Use Protonmail instead of gmail, use Signal messenger instead of whatsapp for communication purposes(like for mass rallies or protests), and try to trigger the media into recognizing you.
Vpns:
NordVPN is Awesome and super private(they are based in Panama).
Mullvad is great for super privacy.
CryptoStorm is also super good for privacy(probably even better than MullVad in that regard.
ProtonVPN is just starting out.
For now, those are my media(mass communication) tips.
revision by — view source
