Mises Media

In 1952, at the height of Soviet power, Ludwig von Mises stood in the San Francisco Public Library and systematically dismantled Marx—not just his economics, but his philosophy, his theory of history, and his manipulation of language. This is the fifth of nine lectures, published in 2006 as Marxism Unmasked.

Mises examines why Marxism went essentially unchallenged for decades—not because its arguments were strong, but because its opponents rarely engaged its philosophical foundations. He traces the intellectual lineage from Saint-Simon's totalitarian world council through Comte's positivism to Marx's dialectical materialism, showing how each system claimed to have discovered the final truth and therefore demanded the end of free inquiry. Along the way, Mises dismantles the conflation of Marxism with Freudian psychoanalysis, explains why governments have a built-in bias toward socialism, and reveals that the word "organize" entered political language as a Napoleonic term meaning to treat individuals as a builder treats stones. The essay's central insight is deceptively simple: the debate was never between planning and chaos. It was always between the plan of the dictator and the plans of free individuals—and the police exist to settle the dispute.

The president has declared that he loves inflation. What economic fallacies is he likely adopting that leads to this conclusion?

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/why-us-president-loves-inflation

While China’s economy has boomed, many people wrongly associate that success with the Chinese government’s industrial policies. Intervention has created many problems there—just as it has done elsewhere.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/chinas-industrial-policy-ambition-inefficiency-and-cautionary-tale-america

Among the key men involved in the American Revolution and the following periods, we find an oft-repeated concern that may seem foreign to us today—the threat of standing armies. This reality became concrete in the Newburgh conspiracy in 1783.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/american-revolution-and-danger-standing-armies

While Graham Platner has become controversial because of his reckless past and violent behavior, the real objection to his being elected a US Senator should be to his reckless socialist proposals that would have disastrous consequences.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/oppose-graham-platner-his-socialism-not-just-his-outrageous-behavior

On this episode of Power and Market, Ryan, Connor, and Tho discuss the first FOMC meeting under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Out? Forward Guidance. In? Task forces! What should we take away from Warsh's first time addressing the financial press, and will his tenure be an improvement from the past, or present new dangers to the public?

Names for historical periods like "Renaissance" and "Enlightenment" did not descend to us out of the heavens. Historians and propagandists of centuries past created these names, often for political purposes. 

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/middle-ages-enlightenment-and-propaganda

Because government monetary authorities have been interfering with interest rates for decades, investors have no more confidence in the bond markets, as they expect more interference and more unpredictability.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/bond-market-sell-welcome-titanic-effect

Once we look beyond a small shift in rhetoric and emphasis, there is, so far, no reason to believe that the Fed is headed toward anything other than business as usual. 

Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/fed-holds-interest-rate-steady-and-warsh-buys-time-new-task-force-scheme

Sure, the earnings average was up year over year, but prices increased more than earnings did. In fact, price inflation hit a 38-month high in May.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/real-wages-fell-second-month-price-inflation-surged