The Human Action Podcast

Economist Alex Tabarrok joins Bob to review Trump’s executive order on prescription drug pricing. They explore how price discrimination works in global pharmaceutical markets, the unintended consequences of importation policies, and why U.S. consumers often pay more—yet benefit most from drug innovation. Tabarrok also critiques the FDA’s role in delaying treatments and explains how regulatory reform, not price caps, could make healthcare more affordable and effective.Alex's Article, "Econ 101 is Underrated: Pharma Price Controls": Mises.org/HAP500aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

The recent BEA "Advance Estimate" for 1q GDP growth showed a lackluster drop of 0.3 percent, but it included unusually large swings in private inventories and imports, as well as a drop in federal expenditures. Some MAGA fans have argued that once you account for these misleading figures, the report signifies a healthy economy. Murphy mostly disagrees, and shows why the report--taken at face value--does indeed signify poor economic performance. Peter St. Onge, "GDP Goes Negative. And it's Glorious.": Mises.org/HAP499aThe GDP Report: Mises.org/HAP499bHuman Action Podcast on Unpacking Trumps Tariff Strategy: Mises.org/HAP499cBob's Mises Daily Article, "Inventories Don't Kill Growth — People Kill Growth": Mises.org/HAP499dBob's Article, "Sorry MAGA, the GDP Report Is Not Rosy": Mises.org/HAP499eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Dr. Jonathan Newman, an economist and instructor at the Mises Academy, dives deep into the essence of economics, unraveling its core differences from fields like psychology and history. He explains why economics prioritizes understanding over mere prediction and highlights the complexities of human decision-making. Newman also emphasizes the importance of economic education, particularly for homeschooling families, and critiques the limitations of empirical approaches, advocating for a more nuanced comprehension of human behavior in economic contexts.

Dr. Joe Salerno joins Bob to review the recent tensions between Donald Trump and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. As Trump questions Powell’s leadership and Fed policy, they explore the deeper issues: Should central banks really be "independent"? Does the Fed’s shield from political oversight protect sound economics—or merely insulate elites from accountability? Murphy and Salerno tackle myths about interest rates, inflation, debt monetization, and the Fed’s true relationship with government spending.Trump's Truth Social Post on Inflation: Mises.org/HAP497aCan Trump Fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell?: Mises.org/HAP497bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Randall Wray, a Professor of Economics at Bard College and a key figure in the Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) movement, faces criticism over his historical analysis. The discussion delves into the misconceptions around government debt and economic growth, exploring how size and intervention impact performance. Wray's interpretations are contrasted with real historical examples, like colonial currency dynamics and Yap Island's unique stone money, which is depicted as a social construct beyond mere currency.

In this episode, Bob breaks down the Triffin dilemma, explaining why it's wrong to assume that maintaining global reserve currency status requires ever-increasing U.S. trade deficits. He shows that America’s chronic deficits are driven more by government spending and fiat money than by global necessity, making the case that returning to fiscal discipline and sound money—not tariffs—is the key to reversing America’s economic decline.Bob and Jonathan Newman on Misleading Charts: Mises.org/HAP495aHow Economists Evaluate Tariffs Versus Income Taxes: Mises.org/HAP495bThe St. Louis Federal Reserve Article on Historical U.S. Trade Deficits: Mises.org/HAP495cThe Charts Referenced in this Episode: Mises.org/HAP495dSaez and Zucman, "The Rise of Income and Wealth Inequality in America": Mises.org/HAP495eTrump's Remarks on the US being a "Tariff-Backed Nation": Mises.org/HAP495fThe Tucker Carlson Show with Bob Lighthizer: Mises.org/HAP495gThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin the Mises Institute on April 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, as we expose the danger and waste of bureaucracy: Mises.org/Phoenix25

Jonathan Newman, a researcher focused on the use of silver as money in ancient Mesopotamia, offers fascinating insights into the origins of currency. He critiques Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) using archaeological evidence that supports Menger's theories. Newman highlights the historical significance of silver beyond barter, arguing that money emerged from market interactions rather than government intervention. He also explores how ancient clay tablets challenge MMT claims, spotlighting the evolution of monetary value and the essential qualities that made silver a trusted medium of exchange.

Patrick Newman joins Bob to discuss one of his talks at the Austrian Economics Research Conference (AERC), where he explained that Simon Kuznets–who developed the method of calculating GNP and GDP statistics–had serious doubts about how to include government expenditures.Patrick's Talk at the 2025 AERC: Mises.org/HAP493aRothbard's Man, Economy, and State: Mises.org/HAP493bBob's 2014 Talk on the Great Depression: Mises.org/HAP493cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin the Mises Institute on April 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, as we expose the danger and waste of bureaucracy: Mises.org/Phoenix25

Bob responds to recent tweets that believe trade deficits are a sign of economic strength. He also includes an op-ed from Robert Barro and a clip from Milton Friedman, to show that even big gun economists can often speak in misleading ways when it comes to trade deficits.Bob's Article on Free Traders Defending Deficits: Mises.org/HAP492aThe FRED Chart Referenced in this Episode: Mises.org/HAP492bBob's 2007 Mises Daily article on Capital Surplus: Mises.org/HAP492cBob's 2007 Mises Daily article Predicting the Recession: Mises.org/HAP492dThe Human Action Podcast Episode on International Trade: Mises.org/HAP492eThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFreeJoin us May 15–17, 2025, at the Mises Institute for our Revisionist History of War Conference: Mises.org/RHW

The discussion tackles the fear that price deflation could stifle lending and investment. It emphatically argues that recent trends in cryptocurrencies and precious metals, like Bitcoin and gold, offer a different perspective. Examples such as wine production illustrate how falling prices can still lead to robust returns. The conversation also prompts a reassessment of traditional economic views, suggesting that a shrinking monetary supply could coexist with viable investment opportunities.