Central Planning

Economics, Featured Articles - May 16, 2022

Trade Restrictions Are Depriving Our Infants of Formula

For parents who rely on baby formula—whether by choice or due to medical necessity—the nationwide baby formula shortage has become increasingly difficult to ignore. According to the Wall Street Journal, Walgreens, Target, CVS, and Kroger have all begun rationing supplies of formula. Covid lockdowns, combined with a product recall by formula manufacturer Abbott Nutrition has created a very real shortage in a product that is key for proper nutrition in many children. With the shortage has come the usual half-baked bromides about "evil corporations" and how baby formula companies are...

Ryan McMaken | 5 min read

An Indictment of ‘Public Health’

We live in an age of public health. Even in countries with private sector health care, government regulates and steers the practice of medicine. On the surface this may seem a positive. In theory it's an established framework to protect the patient and practitioners from injury and risks. It exists to coordinate in times of widespread crisis and can act as an impartial entity to protect those who are vulnerable. It can also act as the moral heart of a nation, determining the ethics and values in such a manner to guide those who are at times pragmatic or emotionally exposed when decisions...

Kym Robinson | 10 min read

Blog - Feb 2, 2022

Reason Has Limits, But What Doesn’t?

It is not a criticism of reason to acknowledge that no reasoning person or group can have a synoptic view of the world or of society that would enable him or it to rationally plan everything. The faculty of reason is packaged within individual human beings, and no mountaintop exists from which one could see and know all that it would take to plan a society or an economy in the interest of all its participants. The result of attempting to do so would inevitably be what Ludwig von Mises called "planned chaos." This is what F. A. Hayek, Mises's student, also worked so hard to explain. But...

Sheldon Richman | 2 min read

How I Robbed the World Bank

jpb world bank press passes wrecking ball 2

I have always had a bad attitude toward official secrets regardless of who is keeping them. That prejudice and John Kenneth Galbraith are to blame for an unauthorized withdrawal I made from the World Bank. When I lived in Boston in the late 1970s, I paid $25 to attend a series of lectures by Galbraith on foreign aid and other topics. The louder Galbraith praised foreign aid, the warier I became. His hokum spurred my reading and led me to recognize that foreign aid is one of the worst afflictions that poor nations suffer. As one critic quipped, foreign aid is money from governments, to...

Jim Bovard | 9 min read

Blog - Dec 5, 2021

The Ron Paul Revolution: A Ten Year Retrospective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvMoJE7pxh4 Join Dr. Ron Paul and Tom Woods, plus very special guest Glenn Greenwald in Texas for an event you won't want to miss! Ron Paul's two campaigns for president (2008 and 2012) were watershed moments for liberty-minded people around the world. The "Ron Paul Revolution"—centered around his undiluted message of peace, property, and markets—changed the way millions thought about the American empire and the American financial system. Dr. Paul's focus on central banking and foreign policy caught politicians and pundits off guard, forcing them to...

Steven Woskow | 2 min read

Blog - Sep 17, 2021

For Every Action There Is An Equal And Opposite Reaction

I never speak it out loud, but recently I’m constantly repeating a movie our daughter used to watch when she was little. Over the Hedge I believe it was called. I constantly hear the little squirrel straining to see the end of the newly constructed impediment, in his little voice, “it never ends! It never ends THAT way too.” That’s my current state of mind regarding our virally motivated political theater. I have discovered a couple new stouts though that are truly fantastic. Always have to find the hidden positives I suppose. I mentioned a few months ago the correlation between disease...

Scott Shearin | 5 min read

Featured Articles, Foreign Policy - Jul 13, 2021

Uncle Sam Must Cease Intervention in Haiti

The Assassination of President Jovenel Moïse During the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his home by a team of gunmen. His first lady, Martin Moïse, was critically injured. She was airlifted to Florida for treatment where she remains in critical condition. Moïse was elected president of Haiti on February 7, 2017. According to Moïse's opposition, his four-year term was to end on February 7, 2021. Moïse refused to step down on that date, arguing the Haitian constitution entitled him a five-year term. He has since remained in...

Patrick Macfarlane | 12 min read

Economics, Featured Articles, Justice, Libertarianism, Politics, Sheldon Richman, TGIF - Jun 25, 2021

TGIF: Liberty as a Problem-Solving Process

Strictly speaking, liberty isn't the solution to problems. It's what creates the framework in which solutions can be discovered. That is an important distinction because it reminds us that advocates of full-blown liberty do not offer the world a problem-free society but "only" a society in which problems are discovered and problem-solvers are mobilized as quickly, fairly, and efficiently as impossible. To get this point across to students in lectures, I used to quote the the title of a 1970 hit record: "I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden." Social troubles will not...

Sheldon Richman | 5 min read

Blog, Economics - Apr 23, 2021

Beware Political Creationists

"With few exceptions, the tribe of academic scientists and hospital doctors which now controls our government has literally never heard such arguments [the unplanned order of thee market process]. Their worldview is a top-down one: they assume things happen because somebody ordains that things happen. Spontaneous order is a foreign concept to them. This is surprising, given that it is the essence of evolution, but when it comes to society they are in thrall to intelligent-design theories. They are political creationists." --Matt Ridley, "Britain Is in Danger of Repeating Its Post-War...

Sheldon Richman | 1 min read

Blog - Oct 26, 2020

$60 Keycaps

My name is Ryan and I am an agorist. Today we are talking about free markets and $60 keycaps. I am kind've a keyboard snob. Ever since I began working full time at a computer, I have been extremely particular about what keyboard I use. My favorite brand is called Das Keyboard. They make strong, heavy, beautiful mechanical keyboards with removable keycaps and excellent switch options. A few days ago I received an email from them about new keycaps they are selling. In particular, they have a new escape key. I followed the link to see what it was. This new escape key is transparent with a...

Ryan Burgett | 4 min read

News

This Week At The Libertarian Institute

The Empire never sleeps – but neither do we. Missed a story? We got you covered. This week in review at the Libertarian Institute: News June 24, 2022 – Senate Dems Press Biden to Investigate Killing of Palestinian-American Journalist Ahead of Israel Trip Senate...

Senate Dems Press Biden to Investigate Killing of Palestinian-American Journalist Ahead of Israel Trip

Nearly half of the Senate’s Democratic caucus has called on President Joe Biden to conduct an independent probe into the murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a US citizen who was shot dead by Israeli troops while reporting from the occupied West Bank last month.

News Roundup 6/24/2022

US News The State Department will pay employees who alleged they suffer from ‘Havana Syndrne’ six-figure payouts. State is making the payments in accordance with the HAVANA Act. [Link] Haiti At least eight prisoners died from starvation in a prison in Haiti. [Link]...

State Department ‘Illegally Obstructing’ Afghanistan Probes, Watchdog Says

The US government’s top oversight official for Afghanistan has accused the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) of stonewalling ongoing investigations, saying they have refused interviews with staff and even failed to provide “basic information” to assist the probes.

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Blog

Week of Action on Yemen

Scott Horton and the Libertarian Party, among others, are whipping up support for a week of action to end US involvement in the Yemen War. And you can help. H.J. Res. 87 was introduced on May 31. The bill would "direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from...

The Antiwar Comic: The Stupidest Reasons

This one is a new favorite of mine. As the video game says, "War never changes." More comics at the Webcomic Factory!

Actually, Socialism IS When The Government Does Stuff

https://youtu.be/_-6CyEYetxM How is something to be owned by “the community as a whole?” Ownership means that you get to decide what is done with something. If you and I disagree on who gets to eat your apple, then whatever you decide will take precedence, because it...

PULSE Nightclub Lies, Israeli Assassinations, and Guantanamo Bay (Roundtable)

The Antiwar Comic: Ze Great Reset!

This is what happens when you kill James Bond in the movies. You get a real-life Bloefeld. More comics at the Webcomic Factory.

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The Scott Horton Show

6/20/22 Connor Freeman on the Effort to Sabotage the Iran Nuclear Deal

Download Episode. Scott interviews Connor Freeman, Assistant Editor at the Libertarian Institute, about the ways some American and Israeli officials are hindering JCPOA negotiations. Freeman has been following the story closely and gives a thorough background on the...

6/17/22 Ray McGovern on the Russian Invasion: What He Missed and What It All Means

Download Episode. Scott is joined by Ray McGovern to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Like many, McGovern was surprised that Putin chose to actually invade Ukraine. He explains why he had been confident Russia would not invade earlier this year and how his...

6/17/22 Kevin Gosztola: Julian Assange Extradition Approved by the UK

Download Episode. Kevin Gosztola joined Scott on Antiwar Radio to discuss the most recent developments in the Julian Assange Case. Gosztola presents a primer on who Julian Assange is for those who are unfamiliar with him or who only know of the Collateral Murder...

6/17/22 Max Blumenthal on Paul Mason and British Intelligence’s Crusade Against Independent Journalism

Download Episode. Scott interviews Max Blumenthal about what’s been happening between Paul Mason and The Grayzone. Mason is a British Trotskyist turned Neocon who never stopped identifying with the left. He has built up a reputation in British media as a leftist...

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Conflicts of Interest

COI #293: White House Ignores Iranian Offer to Relieve Nuclear Deal Impasse

On COI #293, Kyle Anzalone and Connor Freeman cover the latest Iran nuclear deal news. Connor discusses Tehran's decision to formally drop their previous demand that the IRGC be removed from the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) blacklist. Tehran has called...

COI #292: Turkey Cuts Weapons Sales to Ukraine So Ankara Can Lead Negotiations

On COI #292, Kyle Anzalone discusses Assange, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Odysee Rumble Donate LBRY Credits bTTEiLoteVdMbLS7YqDVSZyjEY1eMgW7CP Donate Bitcoin 36PP4kT28jjUZcL44dXDonFwrVVDHntsrk Donate Bitcoin Cash Qp6gznu4xm97cj7j9vqepqxcfuctq2exvvqu7aamz6 Patreon...

COI #291: The West Digs in for a Long War Against Russia in Ukraine

On COI #291, Kyle Anzalone discusses Julian Assange, Russia, China, and Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia. Odysee Rumble Donate LBRY Credits bTTEiLoteVdMbLS7YqDVSZyjEY1eMgW7CP Donate Bitcoin 36PP4kT28jjUZcL44dXDonFwrVVDHntsrk Donate Bitcoin Cash...

COI #290: Biden Dumps Another Billion in Weapons on the Ukrainian Battlefield

On COI #290, Kyle Anzalone and Connor Freeman cover the continuing U.S. escalations against Russia and Iran. Kyle breaks down the recently announced $1 billion U.S. military aid package headed for Kiev. It includes, for the first time, Harpoon anti-ship missiles as...

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Don't Tread on Anyone

Blackmail: The Franklin Scandal & Jeffrey Epstein (feat. Nick Bryant)

https://youtu.be/Ff7aMFlxUlE Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Miami who’d infamously cut Epstein a non-prosecution plea deal back in 2007, was being interviewed for the job of labor secretary...“Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for...

6 Progressive Myths About History (w/ Lawrence W. Reed)

https://youtu.be/HsXj83JNUb4 In May 1939, Treasury Secretary Henry J. Morgenthau Jr., one of Franklin Roosevelt's best friends, testified before the House Ways and Means Committee: "I say after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as...

PULSE Nightclub: Debunking the Conspiracy Theory Pushed by Obama, Trump, & Hillary

https://youtu.be/psaqOZ4nvEw [Y]ou have to tell America to stop bombing Syria and Iraq. They are killing a lot of innocent people. What am I to do here when my people are getting killed over there...You have to tell the U.S. government to stop bombing. They are...

Debate: Democratic Socialism v. Libertarianism (Dr. Phil Armstrong v. Keith Knight)

https://youtu.be/CUWH-87Sdqo Without moral argument at his disposal, a liberal is left only with the tool of cost-benefit analysis, but any such analysis must involve an interpersonal comparison of utility, and such a comparison is impossible (scientifically...

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Liberty Weekly Podcast

National Review Senior Editor Turns Rothbardian Ep. 220

https://youtu.be/sJXF9jgj1L4 Managing Editor of the Libertarian Institute and longtime friend and guest of the show Keith Knight joins me in this week's episode to review an article by Joseph Sobran. Sobran was the Senior Editor of the National Review, but questioned...

Patrick MacFarlane on the Hrvoje Moric Show Ep. 219

https://youtu.be/yI1ND-TJR8g This week's episode is a mirror of my recent appearance on the Hrvoje Moric Show on Tnt Radio. We discuss the war in Ukraine, China, and the brave new world we are sleepwalking into. Hrvoje is the host of Geopolitics and Empire Podcast....

Empire of Death: America’s Moral Bankruptcy Ep. 218

https://youtu.be/7yZEk73JdVo In this episode, I take a deeper dive on my latest editorial up at the Libertarian Institute, share my experience at Chillderburg, introduce my new newsletter website, and thank several outlets that have started reprinting my Libertarian...

An Economic Reckoning ft. Clint Russell Ep. 217

https://youtu.be/B4rBZcugFw0 Clint Russell joins me in this week’s episode of Liberty Weekly. Clint is the host of Liberty Lockdown, a podcast that took the liberty scene by storm during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Before Clint launched Liberty Lockdown, he was a private...

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Year Zero

A Deep Dive w/Monica Perez

Monica Perez joined me for an in depth conversation on culture, religion, ESG, WEF, the future, and how the 21st Century is different than the 20th Century. Monica Twitter Discord Libertarian Institute 19 Skills Pdf Autonomy Course Critical Thinking Course Donate...

Love and Fear w/Courtenay Turner

Courtenay and I talk ESG, intentional communities, motivations, elites, and the future. Courtenay Twitter Courtenay Turner Podcast Discord Libertarian Institute 19 Skills Pdf Autonomy Course Critical Thinking Course Donate Patreon...

Shadowy Figures Surrounding 9/11 w/Adam Fitzgerald

Adam Fitzgerald joined me to discuss the less talked about aspects of 9/11. We spent most of our time discussing the characters involved and around the event. We could have gone for hours on this subject, but as you will hear, I hit a wall at the 2 hour mark. Adam...

A Conversation with Patrick MacFarlane

Patrick joined me again. In this episode we discuss Ukraine Russia, China, culture, democrats, republicans, and traditional family. Liberty Weekly Discord Libertarian Institute 19 Skills Pdf Autonomy Course Critical Thinking Course Donate Patreon...

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