The Human Action Podcast

Economist Daniel Lacalle, known for his insights on global economic trends and finance, engages in a lively discussion on the Big Beautiful Bill. He argues that, despite its flaws, the bill is a crucial first step in reducing government spending and shielding the private sector from overreach. Lacalle critiques traditional economic forecasts, proposing a more favorable view of growth through deregulation. He also highlights the importance of fiscal responsibility and the need for pro-growth policies to tackle U.S. fiscal challenges.

Vincent Geloso and Chandler Reilly have a new paper in which they use Rothbard's "Private Product Remaining" (PPR) as a lower bound on estimates of national output, to be contrasted with the convention GDP statistics as an upper bound. Bob has the authors explain Rothbard's proposal and how they are trying to introduce it to the economics profession.The Paper, "National Output Without Government?": Mises.org/HAP503aThe Human Action Podcast Episode on Dubious Origins of GDP/GNP: Mises.org/HAP503bThe Bob Murphy Show Episode With Alex Salter Criticizing "State Capacity": Mises.org/HAP503cThe 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

Dive into a heated immigration debate that pits libertarian perspectives against governmental controls. Explore the nuances of property rights and how they shape border policy while advocating for privatized access solutions. Delve into the complexities of state property and its ethical implications, scrutinizing historical injustices. The discussion also challenges stereotypes, revealing that immigrants are often economic contributors. Join a lively examination of civil liberties, public disruption, and the intricate dynamics of immigration welfare consumption.

Bob takes a close look at Oren Cass’s recent appearance on Tucker Carlson, where Cass argued for free trade to a skeptical conservative audience. Bob unpacks Cass’s arguments about tariffs, comparative advantage, and trade deficits—not to attack, but to clarify. Using classical and Austrian economics, Murphy shows why U.S. economic malaise can’t be solved with tariffs, but also why dismissing Cass’s concerns outright is a strategic and economic mistake.Oren Cass on The Tucker Carlson Show: Mises.org/HAP501aOren Cass on The Infineo Podcast: Mises.org/HAP501bThe Human Action Podcast Episode on Comparative Advantage: Mises.org/HAP501cOren Cass, "Free Trade's Origin Myth": Mises.org/HAP501dOren Cass, "The Truth About Tariffs": Mises.org/HAP501eThe 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

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