Ep. 2733 Selections from my Right-Wing Library

'The Mystery of Banking' ontrafelt de werking van het moderne bankwezen, waarbij Rothbard de nadruk legt op deFractional-reserve banking als een vorm van wettelijke vervalsing. Hij onderzoekt de historische ontwikkeling van het bankieren, van goudsmeden tot de Federal Reserve, en legt uit hoe banken geld creëren via kredietverlening. Rothbard betoogt dat dit systeem leidt tot onvermijdelijke economische cycli van hausse en baisse, en pleit voor een terugkeer naar een vrije markt in het bankieren met 100% reserve. Hij analyseert ook de rol van centrale banken bij het manipuleren van de geldhoeveelheid en rentetarieven, wat volgens hem economische verstoringen veroorzaakt. Het boek biedt een kritische kijk op de macht en invloed van banken op de economie en de noodzaak van hervormingen om de stabiliteit en eerlijkheid te herstellen.

In this book, Thomas E. Woods, Jr. challenges the common narrative that deregulation and free markets led to the 2008 financial crisis. Instead, he argues that government interventions, such as those through Fannie Mae and the Community Redevelopment Act, were the primary causes of the housing bubble and subsequent market collapse. Woods also critiques government bailouts, suggesting they exacerbate the problems rather than solve them. The book provides a detailed explanation of Austrian business cycle theory and its application to the crisis, as well as a historical context comparing the government's response to the Great Depression.

Murray Rothbard's 'The Case Against the Fed' offers a critical analysis of the Federal Reserve System from an Austrian School economic perspective. Rothbard argues that the Fed's manipulation of the money supply leads to artificial booms and inevitable busts, causing economic instability. The book explores the history of central banking in the United States and demonstrates how the Fed's policies contribute to inflation and wealth redistribution. Rothbard advocates for the abolition of the Federal Reserve and a return to a free market in money, such as a gold standard. Through rigorous economic theory and historical evidence, the book challenges the conventional wisdom about central banking.

Wealth and Poverty, written by George F. Gilder, is a seminal work that argues for the efficacy of supply-side economics in reducing poverty. First published in 1981, the book was hailed as 'a guide to capitalism' and has sold over a million copies. Gilder posits that poverty is not a result of structural economic flaws but rather of the breakdown of family structures and the lack of moral and social responsibilities. He advocates for the strengthening of male roles in families and the promotion of free-market capitalism as opposed to government-regulated markets. The book has been updated in a 2012 edition to address contemporary economic challenges and critique big-government policies.

In 'Ideas Have Consequences,' Richard M. Weaver argues that the decline of Western civilization is a result of the increasing acceptance of relativism over absolute reality. Despite advancements in knowledge, this shift away from the realist intellectual tradition has weakened Western society's capacity for reason, leading to catastrophic consequences for social order and individual rights. Weaver proposes a remedy in the renewed acceptance of absolute reality and the recognition that ideas, like actions, have consequences. The book also includes a foreword by Roger Kimball and an afterword by Ted J. Smith III, providing additional context and insights into Weaver's work and its historical significance.

Murray Rothbard's "Betrayal of the American Right" is a critical examination of the conservative movement in the United States. Rothbard argues that the movement has abandoned its principles by embracing interventionist policies and compromising its commitment to individual liberty. He traces the history of the conservative movement, highlighting key moments of ideological compromise and betrayal. The book offers a sharp critique of the conservative establishment and advocates for a return to classical liberal principles. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the evolution of American conservatism and the ongoing debate between libertarianism and conservatism.

This book delves into the history and operations of the Federal Reserve, exposing what the author believes are its secretive and manipulative practices. Griffin argues that the Federal Reserve, despite its name, is not a government entity but a cartel of bankers who have significant control over the U.S. monetary system. The book details the clandestine meeting on Jekyll Island where the plans for the Federal Reserve were formulated and how this system has led to economic instability, wars, and other societal issues. Written in an accessible style, the book aims to educate readers about the inner workings of the financial system and the potential dangers of fiat currency and central banking.

This book is a sweeping and revolutionary work that integrates history and rigorous theory to argue that the money and banking sector can be managed by the free market without central banks, inflation, business cycles, or economic instability. It provides a wholesale reconstruction of the legal framework for money and banking from ancient times to modern times, applies law-and-economics logic to banking, critiques fractional-reserve banking, and applies the Austrian critique of socialism to central banking. Huerta de Soto defends the Austrian perspective on business cycles, advocates for a 100% reserve requirement, and presents a policy program for radical reform. The book is considered a masterpiece that demolishes the case for fiat currency and central banking, highlighting their negative impacts on economic stability and freedom.

In 'Losing Ground,' Charles A. Murray argues that the ambitious social programs of the 1960s and 1970s, intended to alleviate poverty, actually made matters worse for their supposed beneficiaries. Murray contends that increased government spending on welfare led to higher unemployment, declining education quality, increased crime, and the breakdown of families. He suggests that these programs created incentives for behaviors that were destructive in the long term and advocates for the abolition of certain welfare programs and a return to more traditional social policies.

In this book, Murray N. Rothbard challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that the Great Depression was caused by government intervention and the Federal Reserve's monetary policies, rather than by market failures. He explains the Austrian theory of the business cycle and details how the inflationary policies of the 1920s, combined with the interventionist policies of the Herbert Hoover administration, exacerbated the economic crisis. The book also discusses the long-term impacts of the Great Depression on economic policies and societal structures, including the establishment of regulatory bodies and safety nets.