Minor Issues

There is good evidence that the Skyscraper Curse is dead. But what does that mean? Mark Thornton digs down to the foundations to see what the ramifications are. It could mean historical changes are in the works!Download The Skyscraper Curse at Mises.org/Curse.Order a free paperback copy of Per Bylund’s How to Think About the Economy at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

The Federal Reserve seems to have finally publicly committed to its rate-cutting cycle—specifically the federal funds rate or policy rate. The Fed wanted to remain perceived as coming to the economy's rescue, rather than goosing the stock market higher. But the Federal Reserve is playing a confidence game with the general public, and the Fed can't save you. What insights can we learn from Austrian Business Cycle Theory?"10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity" (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis): Mises.org/Minor_85Order a free paperback copy of Per Bylund’s How to Think About the Economy at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

The phrase, old school economics, is often used positively or approvingly by many, but it's rarely explained. What is this school and where is it located? You can be sure that it is not what is taught in most college classrooms today. It's definitely not Keynesian or Marxist economics. But what is it?Order a free paperback copy of Per Bylund’s How to Think About the Economy at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark discusses the issues of homelessness, poverty, technology, and government in two award-winning episodes of the 1995 Star Trek series, Deep Space 9. As in the entire Star Trek genre, the basic condition of scarcity is overlooked, particularly in the cases of issues back on Earth. However, considering the roles of scarcity and incentives, Mark suggests some real-life reforms.Order a free paperback copy of Per Bylund’s How to Think About the Economy at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Massive increases in government debts, much of it to foreigners, a willingness to pay for ongoing bureaucratic expenses with budget deficits, and a tidal wave of interest payments on the national debt. Could a so-called Democratic Socialist government be described as a role model for the United States? Order a free paperback copy of Per Bylund’s How to Think About the Economy at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

With Mises University over and the stock market showing the first crack in its armor, it's time to check the underbelly of the economy’s mighty growth industry.Check out "Big Tech Doesn't Want You Anymore" with Patrick Boyle: Mises.org/MI_81Download The Skyscraper Curse by Mark Thornton at Mises.org/Curse.Order a free paperback copy of Murray Rothbard’s What Has Government Done to Our Money? at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark Thornton reviews Philip Duffy's book about the mysterious Irish banker Richard Cantillon (1680–1734). Many crucial Austrian insights have been found in the economics of Cantillon and his lone surviving publication, Essai sur la Nature du Commerce en General. Indeed, the origins of economic theory itself can be traced to CantilIon.Purchase A Tale of Four Cities: From Invisible Hand to Cancel Culture by Philip G. Duffy at Mises.org/DuffyBook.Download An Essay on Economic Theory by Richard Cantillon (edited by Mark Thornton) at Mises.org/Essai.Order a free paperback copy of Murray Rothbard’s What Has Government Done to Our Money? at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

The great reckoning seems to be following the course that Mark Thornton has been charting by guesswork. In other words, the great train wreck seems to be happening. Mark shares his current outlook.What the Fed does, what the stock market does, and what the economy does cannot be predicted in the same sense that the mechanical and physical sciences can predict simple relationships of physical bodies and forces."10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity" (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis): Mises.org/MI_79_GraphDownload The Skyscraper Curse by Mark Thornton at Mises.org/Curse.Order a free paperback copy of Murray Rothbard’s What Has Government Done to Our Money? at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Trade is under tremendous threat from both major political parties in the United States and their presidential candidates. In this episode, Mark Thornton discusses his new paper, "Ludwig von Mises on Trade, Human Development, and Human Progress," explains how Mises examined trade holistically and integrated it into a powerful social theory. Ideologically, the commitment to free trade must be understood and sustained in order for us to continue to receive the benefits of trade in the international division of labor.Download Dr. Thornton's paper, "Ludwig von Mises on Trade, Human Development, and Human Progress" at Mises.org/MI_78_AOrder a free paperback copy of Murray Rothbard’s What Has Government Done to Our Money? at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues. 

This 4th of July holiday, take a moment to re-declare independence from your government and commit yourself to being a more appreciative member of your voluntary society—and for the people upon which you depend.Order a free paperback copy of Murray Rothbard’s What Has Government Done to Our Money? at Mises.org/IssuesFree.Follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.