Hawk Talk

Steve Horwitz is back with us this week to discuss the Great Depression. The story that’s commonly handed down in high school history courses doesn’t match what economists and historians have come to understand about it. The government’s response was less an exercise in macroeconomic policy than it was an exercise in social engineering. The lessons of what didn’t work and why are important to us as we struggle with the COVID economy.

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Quick Hits

How Not to Be Terrible at College

https://fee.org/shows/audio/words-numbers/how-not-to-be-terrible-at-college#player

Liquid Democracy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_democracy

Post Office

https://facts.usps.com/top-facts/

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/513241-house-passes-25b-bill-to-boost-postal-service

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2013/jul/24/american-postal-workers-union/postal-service-claim-not-fully-target/

Foolishness of the Week

Germany’s Universal Income

https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-begins-universal-basic-income-trial-three-years-2020-8

Topic of the Week: The Great Depression

Steve Horwitz on the Great Depression

https://youtu.be/EWyzWKnkwUg

George Selgin on the Great Depression

https://www.cato.org/blog/new-deal-recovery-part-7-fdr-gold

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Todd Zywicki, Professor of Law at GMU and head of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s Task Force on Consumer Financial Law joins us to discuss the pros and cons of consumer protection and financial regulation.

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Quick Hits

Covid Caseshttps://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx

Nathan Benefield on Covid Cases

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/closer-look-coronavirus-numbers-pa-nathan-benefield/

Hospital Utilization Data

https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/covid19/report-patient-impact.html#anchor_1594393649

The Long Arm of the California Tax Office

https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/california-dems-wealth-tax-follows-people-who-move-out-of-the-state/

Foolishness of the Week

Wisconsin Requires Face Masks at Home

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/511483-wisconsin-state-agency-requires-employees-to-wear-masks-while

Topic of the Week

Todd Zywicki

https://www.law.gmu.edu/faculty/directory/fulltime/zywicki_todd

https://www.amazon.com/Consumer-Financial-Management-Association-Synthesis/dp/0195169921

Unkoch My Campus

http://www.unkochmycampus.org/cfpb

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Words & Numbers Backstage

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Antony Davies on Twitter

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James R. Harrigan on Twitter

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For two millenia, economics was a field of philosophy. Starting in the late 1800s, economists began to employ mathematical modeling in their thinking. The requirements of mathematical modeling have led modern economists to begin by assuming that humans behave in certain ways. This week, Steve Horwitz joins us to discuss Austrian economics, which is a school of thought that goes back to economics’ philosophical roots by beginning with questions, rather than assumptions, about how humans behave.

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https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

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Quick Hits

Shampoo Assistants

https://nypost.com/2020/08/08/ny-dems-push-for-law-mandating-training-for-shampoo-assistants/

Democratic Campaign

https://theweek.com/speedreads/929999/biden-campaign-reportedly-making-ruthless-cuts-convention-speaking-list

Foolishness of the Week

Bernie’s Latest Wealth Tax

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/upshot/warren-wealth-tax.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/06/sanders-billionaire-tax-bill-would-cost-bezos-musk-zuckerberg.html

Topic of the Week

Steve Horwitz

http://www.sghorwitz.com/

Austrian Economicshttps://www.amazon.com/Austrian-Economics-Introduction-Libertarianism-Org-Guides/dp/1948647958/ref=sr_1_1

Theory and Practice in the Austrian School

https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Practice-Austrian-School-Unbound-ebook/dp/B00CF0GXZO

Join the Conversation

Words & Numbers Backstage

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Let Us Know What You Think

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Antony Davies on Twitter

https://twitter.com/antonydavies

James R. Harrigan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

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In past episodes, we’ve discussed problems with policing including qualified immunity and the militarization of police. In this episode, we revisit the topic from the perspective of a former police officer.

Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!

https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon

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Quick Hits

Fitch

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/united-states-outlook-revised-to-negative-from-stable-by-fitch/ar-BB17qy05

Foolishness of the Week

Capitalism

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/07/07/seattle_city_councilwoman_we_will_not_stop_until_we_overthrow_capitalism_replace_it_with_socialism.html

Topic of the Week

Ian Adams

https://scholars.org/scholar/ian-adams

Data on Police Shootings

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/four-years-in-a-row-police-nationwide-fatally-shoot-nearly-1000-people/2019/02/07/0cb3b098-020f-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html

Police Shootings, Racism, and Statistical Paradox

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/11/opinion/statistical-paradox-police-killings/

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Words & Numbers Backstage

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Antony Davies on Twitter

https://twitter.com/antonydavies

James R. Harrigan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

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The Constitution leaves policing up to the states. There is no provision for a national police force. Yet, numerous federal policing bodies have emerged and now the federal government is employing them in Portland in a manner that is a disturbing reminder of other governments’ secret police forces.

Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!

https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

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Quick Hits

Balloon-Based 4G

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/balloons-bring-internet-to-20000-square-miles-of-kenya/

Google Employees Working at Home until 2021

https://nypost.com/2020/07/27/google-will-let-employees-work-from-home-until-july-2021/

Foolishness of the Week

Washington Football Team

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/23/washington-redskins-new-team-name-washington-football-team/

Topic of the Week: Federal police action

Clark Neily on Twitter

https://twitter.com/ConLawWarrior

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Conspiracy theories arise in part from our penchant for seeking patterns in random events and in part from our need to feel in control - to be able to explain the inexplicable. Some conspiracy theories are amusing, some will fool even skeptics, and some are dangerous.

Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!

https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon

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Quick Hits

Minimum Wage

https://reports.nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_BOOK_2020.pdf

https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/minimum-wage/2018/pdf/home.pdf

Goya

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/donald-trump-goya-beans/

Foolishness of the Week

Masks and Rights

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/1/forced-face-masking-civil-rights-offense/

Topic of the Week: Conspiracy Theories

Elders of Zion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion

The Clinton Hit List

https://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2016/08/10/the-list-of-clinton-associates-whove-died-mysteriously-check-it-out/

Flat Earthers

https://flatearthfacts.com/flat-earth-model/proof-the-earth-is-flat/

Petroleum Company

https://ask.metafilter.com/322588/Conspiracy-Theory-Petroleum-Company-Edition-Innovative-Technology

Reptilian Overlords

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilian_conspiracy_theory

Stonehenge

http://www.theunexplainedvault.com/stonehenge-ancient-alien-theory/ancient-aliens/

Join the Conversation

Words & Numbers Backstage

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Let Us Know What You Think

mailto:[email protected]

Antony Davies on Twitter

https://twitter.com/antonydavies

James R. Harrigan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

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The Founders established the three branches of government to provide checks on one another. But parties have come to supplant these institutions as the focus of loyalty for politicians. In this episode, we explore what the rise of parties means for our system of checks and balances.

Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!

https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon

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Quick Hits

Economic Update

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/UNRATE

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/EMRATIO

https://www.macrotrends.net/1377/u6-unemployment-rate

COVID Party

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/i-thought-this-was-a-hoax-patient-in-their-30s-dies-after-attending-covid-party

Foolishness of the Week

Upward-Thrusting Buildings

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/jul/06/upward-thrusting-buildings-ejaculating-cities-sexist-leslie-kern-phallic-feminist-city-toxic-masculinity

Topic of the Week: Parties and Institutions

Washington’s Farewell Address

https://www.history.com/news/george-washington-farewell-address-warnings

Federalist 51

https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/primary-source-documents/the-federalist-papers/federalist-papers-no-51/

Books

https://www.amazon.com/Robert-M-S-McDonald/e/B006G5XJK6

Join the Conversation

Words & Numbers Backstage

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Let Us Know What You Think

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Antony Davies on Twitter

https://twitter.com/antonydavies

James R. Harrigan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

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Rob McDonald returns for the second of a two-part series in which we discuss the Founding and his new book, The American Revolution.

Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!

https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon

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Quick Hits

Misunderstanding Research

https://www.thecollegefix.com/scholar-forced-to-resign-over-study-that-found-police-shootings-not-biased-against-blacks/

https://www.pnas.org/content/116/32/15877

Faithless Electors

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rules-faithless-electors-can-t-go-rogue-electoral-n1231394

Foolishness of the Week

Kanye West

https://www.showbiz411.com/2020/07/06/kanye-west-used-his-presidential-announcement-as-a-lure-to-sell-merchandise-online-this-afternoon

Topic of the Week

Rob McDonald

https://teachingamericanhistory.org/blog/the-american-revolution-professor-robert-mcdonalds-new-core-document-collection/

Books

https://www.amazon.com/Robert-M-S-McDonald/e/B006G5XJK6

Join the Conversation

Words & Numbers Backstage

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Let Us Know What You Think

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Antony Davies on Twitter

https://twitter.com/antonydavies

James R. Harrigan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

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Rob McDonald joins us this Fourth of July week for the first of a two-part series in which we discuss the Founding and his new book, The American Revolution.

Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!

https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers

Quick Hits

30 Hour Work Week?

https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2020/06/01/adam-grant-on-how-jobs-bosses-and-firms-may-improve-after-the-crisis

Woodrow Wilson

https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/princeton-axing-woodrow-wilson-s-name-from-public-policy-school

Foolishness of the Week

L’Oreal

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/504865-loreal-will-remove-words-whitening-fair-and-lightening-from

Phil Magness on Civil War Monuments

https://www.aier.org/article/what-the-data-say-about-civil-war-monuments/

Topic of the Week

Rob McDonald

https://teachingamericanhistory.org/blog/the-american-revolution-professor-robert-mcdonalds-new-core-document-collection/

Books

https://www.amazon.com/Robert-M-S-McDonald/e/B006G5XJK6

Join the Conversation

Words & Numbers Backstage

https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/

Let Us Know What You Think

mailto:[email protected]

Antony Davies on Twitter

https://twitter.com/antonydavies

James R. Harrigan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

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Clark Neily joins us to discuss policing, the origin and effect of qualified immunity, and what the courts have said about whether police have a duty to protect citizens.

Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now!

https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/

Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers

Quick Hits

Lottery Winners

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news/arizona-couple-win-dollar410-million-mega-millions-jackpot-thanks-to-family-birthdays-lucky-penny/ar-BB15J25k

Invite Someone to Dinner to Berate You

https://reason.com/2020/02/04/white-women-saira-rao-dinner-regina-jackson-liberal/

Police Ordered to Turn off Body Cameras

https://reason.com/2020/06/19/san-francisco-police-were-ordered-to-turn-off-body-cameras-in-raid-on-journalists-home/

Foolishness of the Week

Minnesota Mayor Finds “Chief” Offensive

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/duluth-minnesota-mayor-remove-chief-microaggresion

https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/06/19/minnesota-city-to-vote-on-removing-chief-from-job-titles-calling-it-a-microaggression/?utm_source=rss

The Word, “Chief”

https://www.etymonline.com/word/chief

Topic of the week

Qualified Immunity

https://reason.com/2020/05/29/the-supreme-court-has-a-chance-to-end-qualified-immunity-and-prevent-cases-like-george-floyds/

A Confederacy of Dunces

https://www.amazon.com/Confederacy-Dunces-John-Kennedy-Toole-ebook/dp/B008UX2UIO

Join the Conversation

Words & Numbers Backstage

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Let Us Know What You Think

mailto:[email protected]

Antony Davies on Twitter

https://twitter.com/antonydavies

James R. Harrigan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

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