Mainstream economists today examine economic phenomena from a “black box” perspective in which they look at inputs and outputs without trying to understand causal mechanisms that make the outcomes possible.

Can an increase in the supply of gold cause a boom-bust cycle? Mises believed it was theoretically possible but highly unlikely. Rothbard, on the other hand, said as long as gold is money and there is no fiduciary media, such a scenario was not possible.

Rent control always results in housing shortages and deteriorating housing stock. Governments and activists, unfortunately, never learn any lessons.

A common refrain among college fans is, "The Transfer Portal and NIL are ruining college sports." But are they? Before we can answer that question, we have to be able to explain what is happening, and Austrian economics provides the best analytical tools.

Like Santa, who gives free gifts to our children, people think of the state as providing services “for free.” However, the state cannot provide anything without first confiscating wealth from others—like the Grinch, who first stole all the presents in Whoville.

Never forget the Christmas truce of World War I, when troops refused to be pawns of empire for one blessed day.

The National Socialists wanted to to absorb all independent Christianity under the new pagan nationalistic doctrines of the German state. Christmas was at the center of this.

I am not referring to the lighting of the White House Christmas tree but to passage of a “continuing resolution” (CR) funding the government and thus avoiding a Christmastime government shutdown.

The child-like obsession with buying stuff that American society is often criticized for around Christmas is a sought-after result of our government’s monetary policy.