
Mises Institute
The Mises Institute, founded in 1982, is an educational institution devoted to advancing Austrian economics, freedom, and peace in the classical-liberal tradition. Our website offers many thousands of free books and thousands of hours of audio and video, along with the full run of rare journals, biographies, and bibliographies of great economists.
Latest episodes

Dec 14, 2024 • 9min
2025’s Federal Deficit May Be the Biggest Ever
If you thought federal deficits and spending would go back to normal after the covid panic, you were wrong. If anything, deficits are now on track to be bigger than the covid years.
Be sure to follow the Loot and Lobby podcast at https://Mises.org/LL

Dec 13, 2024 • 58min
The Issue of Tariffs: How US Revenue Collection Was Turned Inside-Out
The US went from tariffs being the major source of federal government revenue to what we have today under the income tax and payroll taxes. The time scope is from 1789 to the Great Depression. In 1790, 99.9% of federal government revenue is generated by tariffs—the first year we operate under the Constitution. In 1860, still 94% of total fed government revenue is generated by tariffs. Only the War Between the States changes this and we get our first federal income tax.
Presented as part of the Mises Institute’s Brown Bag Seminar series on May 19, 2005 in Auburn, Alabama.

Dec 13, 2024 • 44min
What's More "Wicked" than the Crime of '73?
Using the heavily marketed movie "Wicked" as his news hook, Bob explains that the beloved Wizard of Oz movie involved an allegory of the bimetallism debates of the late 1800s, including William Jennings Bryan's famous "Cross of Gold" speech. Bob fills in the details about the Wizard of Oz lore, and then explains the economics of bimetallism in the United States.
Bob's Book, Understanding Money Mechanics: https://Mises.org/HAP478a
The Wikipedia Article on the Political Interpretations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: https://Mises.org/HAP478b
The Wikipedia Article on the Wicked Novel: https://Mises.org/HAP478c

Dec 12, 2024 • 37min
Why Politicians Love Tariffs
Mises Institute President Tom DiLorenzo joins Ryan McMaken to look at the many ways that the taxes, known as “tariffs,” destroy wealth and empower the state.
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Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard: https://mises.org/Anatomy
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Dec 11, 2024 • 9min
Progressivism and the Murder of a Health Insurance CEO
Progressives are openly cheering the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. However, it was progressive legislation that created this healthcare crisis in the first place.
Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/progressivism-and-murder-health-insurance-ceo
Be sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at https://Mises.org/GB

Dec 9, 2024 • 8min
The Limits to Public Opinion and the Failure of Democracy | Finn Andreen
The watchword among progressives this election season is: “Nothing less than our democracy is at stake.” In truth, democracy itself is not in danger, but one can accurately say that “democracy,” as practiced in the US, endangers our lives.
Narrated by Millian Quinteros.

Dec 9, 2024 • 7min
How the Government Created Exorbitant Insulin Prices | Isaac Deak
Progressives blame the free market for insulin prices and want to impose price controls. But, government regulation is to blame.
Narrated by Millian Quinteros.

Dec 9, 2024 • 8min
Contrived Scarcity and Antitrust Lawsuits—“It’s Not a Bag, It’s a Birkin”
Birkin bags are pricey and the producer restricts its potential buyers. Unfortunately, disgruntled customers who don’t want to follow the company’s rules are now appealing to US antitrust law.
Narrated by Millian Quinteros.

Dec 9, 2024 • 8min
Entrepreneurial Profit Follows Good Decisions, Not Exploitation | Michael Njoku
Employing the Labor Theory of Value, Marx claimed that entrepreneurial profits arise from exploitation of workers. In reality, entrepreneurs earn profits when they correctly gauge markets. Exploitation has nothing to do with it.
Narrated by Millian Quinteros.

Dec 9, 2024 • 10min
Sound Money Movement Chalks Up Seven State Legislative Victories in 2024
Not all news from the gold and monetary fronts is bad. In fact, gold made a number of advancements in seven states, including exemptions from taxes and attempts by states to restrict Federal Reserve behavior. Gold is alive and well.
Narrated by Millian Quinteros.