

Radio Rothbard
Mises Institute
Radio Rothbard is a weekly podcast hosted by Ryan McMaken and Tho Bishop. The show tackles politics, current events, culture, media, and the predatory state—all from an uncompromising Rothbardian perspective. Radio Rothbard is the weekly anti politics podcast you don't want to miss!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 29, 2025 • 0sec
Poland's Turn Toward a Market Economy Saved It from Poverty
Polish professor of political theory Łukasz Dominiak joins us to talk about how Poland embraced a market economy after the Cold War ended. We discuss some of the factors behind Poland's rise from poverty. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

7 snips
May 22, 2025 • 0sec
The Rise of War Propaganda and the Defeat of Laissez-Faire
Discover how classical liberalism's pro-peace stance faltered against a century of war propaganda starting with World War I. Explore the anti-militarism of influential thinkers like Bastiat and Donoyer, who advocated for citizen militias and reduced military spending. Learn about the Second Amendment's focus on local control versus federal authority and how propaganda shaped American attitudes towards war throughout the 20th century. The discussion urges a critical examination of how state narratives have framed military actions as moral imperatives.

5 snips
May 15, 2025 • 0sec
A History of Political Theory in the West
In this engaging conversation, educator Joseph Solis-Mullen, an expert in political science and economics, discusses Ralph Raico's compelling lectures on Western political thought. He highlights the historical dynamics of class conflict and critiques the bureaucratic influences seen in thinkers like John Stuart Mill. The duo explores the evolution of liberalism, contrasting it with other ideologies and emphasizing the importance of context. They recommend essential readings for those interested in libertarian thought, spotlighting the need for clarity in modern political discourse.

May 8, 2025 • 0sec
California's Bullet-Train Delusion
William Anderson, a California economist and senior editor at Mises.org, critiques the state's ambitious bullet train project. He argues it disregards economic realities and faces insurmountable geographical hurdles. Costs have skyrocketed from $33 billion to over $135 billion, raising questions about its feasibility. Anderson highlights the political motivations and bureaucratic challenges complicating the project. He advocates for market-driven solutions to transportation planning, emphasizing the need to address actual regional demands instead.

May 1, 2025 • 0sec
Trump's First 100 Days: The Good and the Bad
Historian Chris Calton joins Ryan McMaken to discuss both the upsides and the downsides of Trump's first 100 days. Register for our Revisionist History of War Conference now at https://mises.org/rhwBe sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Apr 25, 2025 • 0sec
Why Did Trump Arrest a Student for Writing an Op-Ed?
James Bovard joins host Ryan McMaken to talk about how the White House went from targeting illegal aliens to seizing legal residents guilty of the "crime" of criticizing the government of the State of Israel. Do non-citizens have due-process rights? The Founding Fathers thought so.Register for our Revisionist History of War Conference now at https://mises.org/rhwBe sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Apr 17, 2025 • 0sec
Trump Wants Even More Military Spending
Donald Trump says he plans for a big 12% jump in military spending, he has threatened war with Iran, and has escalated the war with the Houthis. None of this has anything to do with defending the United States. Register for Our Enemy The Bureaucracy now at https://Mises.org/Phoenix25.Register for our Revisionist History of War Conference now at https://mises.org/rhwBe sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

23 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 0sec
A Brief History of Immigration Policy in America
Explore how the U.S. immigration policy evolved from state control to federal governance, starting in the 1880s. Delve into the impact of nativism and socio-economic factors that shaped restrictions, particularly against Irish immigrants. Discover the foundational Supreme Court cases that highlighted the tension between state and federal authority. The discussion also reveals historical voting rights in relation to immigration and culminates with insights on naturalization versus immigration, alongside news of engaging events ahead.

9 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 0sec
The Problem with International Organizations like the EU and the WTO
Joseph Solis-Mullen, a political scientist and economist, takes a critical look at international organizations like the EU and WTO, arguing they serve the interests of government elites rather than promoting freedom. He discusses the harmful centralization of power these bodies perpetuate and questions their effectiveness in fostering peace. Solis-Mullen advocates for a decoupled, privatized governance model, emphasizing the need for genuine voluntary cooperation over bureaucratic control. His insights challenge listeners to reconsider their views on state intervention.

Mar 27, 2025 • 0sec
4 Lessons We Learned from the Covid Panic of 2020
It's been five years since the covid lockdowns of 2020. Ryan McMaken and Tho Bishop take a look at the lessons we learned about the regime, medical staff, and libertarians during one of history's biggest abuses of state power. Register for Our Enemy The Bureaucracy now at https://Mises.org/Phoenix25.Register for our Revisionist History of War Conference now at https://mises.org/rhwBe sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off