Bob Murphy Show

Standard economic analysis suggests that even large-scale immigration doesn't hurt native citizens economically. But couldn't the newcomers change the culture and political climate to hurt liberty? In his latest book, economist Ben Powell argues that this too is a baseless fear.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• Ben Powell's book (co-authored with Alex Nowrasteh) Wretched Refuse?: The Political Economy of Immigration and Institutions.
• Ben Powell's earlier appearance on ep. 47.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Bob explains his idea for the general legal principle under which children would constitute a particular case: Namely, treat the parent (or legal guardian) as a trustee acting upon behalf of the trustor, who is the future (adult) version of that child.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• Rothbard's book Ethics of Liberty (free pdf).
• Walter Block et al. on children under libertarian law.
• Bruno Leoni's Freedom and the Law (various formats).
• Bob Murphy's lecture on private law.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

In a 2019 article, Bob quoted Mises who believed that new gold discoveries, in principle, could cause a (small) boom-bust cycle if the gold hit the loan market before other sectors. Walter Block and Bill Barnett have responded in a new article, arguing that in a free market, new commodity money can't cause such distortions.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• Bob's 2019 QJAE article, which Block & Barnett (2020) criticizes.
• Bob's blog post explaining why Block & Barnett (2020) misunderstands his argument in his 2019 QJAE paper.
• Bob Murphy Show ep. 67, in which Block and Barnett explained their problems with the Hayekian triangle.
• Rothbard's classic essays on utility & welfare economics and the legal treatment of air pollution.
• Block and Barnett's paper on the optimal quantity of money.
• One entry in Block and Barnett's debate over maturity mismatching; it contains references to the earlier volleys for the interested reader.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

On a recent episode of the Unregistered podcast, Thaddeus Russell interviews philosophy professor Stephen Kershnar on his controversial books. Bob strongly critiques their claims that (a) pro-life people ought to be killing abortionists and (b) adult/child sexual relationships can be healthy.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of Thaddeus' discussion with Kershnar.
• Thad's article in the Daily Beast defending Roman Polanski. The Wikipedia article about the Polanski sexual abuse case.
• Bob Murphy Show ep. 133 featuring Bob's debate with Thaddeus on postmodernism as a foundation for liberty.
• Bob Murphy Show ep. 138 "Why the Left Hates Christianity."
• A video on the evolution of "mumble rap." A mumble rapper's video glorifying the Illuminati.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Nick Watts has a Master of Divinity degree from Queensland Theological College. He talks with Bob about his book, which argues that the Bible claims that taxation is tantamount to slavery. Interestingly, Nick went into his project as a conservative small government man and emerged as a Rothbardian who has no political ruler except Christ the King.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• Nick Watts' website, Being Biblical. His book, Taxation Is Slavery: The Biblical Case for Libertarian Politics.
• BMS ep. 111, with Winston Ewert on Intelligent Design. BMS ep 106 on Intelligent Design.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Tom Woods invites Bob onto his podcast to discuss the coordinated actions of retail traders to implement a short squeeze on hedge funds, in the process causing GameStop stock to increase some 1,500%. Tom and Bob explain the basic economics involved and the political implications.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The Tom Woods Show.
• A Bloomberg article and an ARSTechnica article giving good summaries of the timeline.
• Bob's article on "The Social Function of Stock Speculators," and a 2008 article criticizing the government's forbidding of short-selling financial stocks.
• Chris Cillizza's CNN article blaming GameStop controversy on Trumpism.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Bob has a short but sweet conversation with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. They cover Glenn's career in wrestling, his discovery of Austrian economics, and what he's learned since entering politics.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• Glenn Jacobs' Knox County mayoral page.
• Murray Rothbard's "What Has Government Done to Our Money?"
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Bob explains the legal and practical issues surrounding the purge of right-wing voices from social media sites. He makes a distinction between free speech and the 1st Amendment, and critically analyzes the typical "newsstand / publisher" analogy for Section 230.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• EFF article on Section 230 and why the platform/publisher distinction is a red herring.
• Encyclopedia Brittanica entry on the First Amendment.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Ron Paul used the fall in purchasing power since the founding of the Fed to argue that the central bank had hurt regular Americans. Fed economist David Andolfatto disagrees, but Bob pushes back.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• David Andolfatto critiques Ron Paul's argument against the Fed.
• Bob's rebuttal to Andolfatto.
• "Has the Fed Been a Failure?" by White et al.
• Bob's forthcoming book on Understanding Money Mechanics.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.

Bob offers his thoughts on the double standards in the media and pundit treatment of the Jan. 6 Capitol events. He also explains the seemingly crazy allegations from the protestor who was dressed as a Viking.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The Federalist article on leftist hypocrisy regarding violent protests.
• Story on activists flooding Capitol during Kavanaugh hearings.
• Bob's (controversial) tweet about why Jan. 6 was tragic.
• Story on the Black Panthers storming the CA state Capitol.
• Video of the QAnon Shaman (i.e. Viking guy).
• Is our money based on debt?
• History channel story about underground government bunkers.
• The NYT story on Navy pilots seeing unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP).
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The audio production for this episode was provided by Podsworth Media.