The Tom Woods Show

Keith Whittington, the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics at Princeton University, joins me to talk trigger warnings, safe spaces, campus censorship and intimidation, and the purpose of a university. I ask him some tough devil's-advocate questions, but he sticks to his guns. Well worth your time. Show notes for Ep. 1134

Whether you're a car enthusiast or not, you have to love Eric Peters: insanely knowledgeable and thoroughly libertarian. We have a lot to discuss today: nanny-ish new cars, the consequences of federal regulation, the "mobile driver's license" and the privacy issues involved, the Jeep we're allowed to buy but not drive, and a lot more. Show notes for Ep. 1133

Historian Kevin Gutzman joins me to take on a recent article by a conventional conservative in favor of "originalism" in constitutional interpretation. Fair enough, but as with most conservative discussions of the Constitution, it comes down on the centralist, Marshallian side of the key issues -- and then conservatives scratch their heads about what could have gone wrong. Show notes for Ep. 1132

With tariffs in the news and stirring up debate, I thought a Tom Woods Show debate on the subject would be enlightening for everyone. Dan McCarthy, editor of the venerable conservative journal Modern Age and editor-at-large of The American Conservative, and Gene Epstein, formerly of Barron's, square off in this much-needed debate on tariffs and trade. Show notes for Ep. 1131

There are only two people in the world for whom I've ever offered a testimonial: Ben Settle and my guest today, Michael Cheney. Michael has been producing products and dominating affiliate leaderboards since at least the year 2000. He creates promotions that don't bore you to death, which is why they do so well. And he's taught me a boatload of knowledge that I have put to very good use; last year I was able to make substantial donations to causes you and I believe in, thanks to what I learned from Michael.   His advice is worth taking to heart.   Show notes for Ep. 1130

The indoctrination aspect of "public education" has become more pronounced and obvious in recent months. Ron Paul and I discuss that and other outrages with a system everyone defends and takes for granted, and say a few words in defense of the homeschooling alternative.   This episode is drawn from my recent appearance on the Ron Paul Liberty Report.   Show notes for Ep. 1129

Owen Benjamin, who has had a successful career in entertainment, has been having problems with venues canceling on him after rival comedians report him for unapproved thoughts (none of which is actually unreasonable or outside the bounds of legitimate comedy, but you knew that). Opponents even invent things about Owen, or create bot accounts on Twitter to make him look bad. It's crazy.   We recorded this interview 48 hours before it aired. Since that time, Owen's Twitter account -- @OwenBenjamin -- has been suspended, and his ability to livestream on his YouTube channel has been revoked.   Show notes for Ep. 1128

Mitch Toland, once an Obama supporter, made his way into Austrian economics and libertarianism in a most unusual way: his economics professor had him write a paper on Hayekian triangles (a graphical depiction of Austrian capital theory), and this wound up leading him to Ron Paul. He shares his story, plus his venture into politics, in today's episode. Show notes for Ep. 1127

Titus Gebel, founder and CEO of Free Private Cities, Inc., discusses how private enterprise can provide services traditionally associated with governments, and why this approach holds promise for the future. Show notes for Ep. 1126

The general public sure thinks they are -- and sometimes, economists give them good reason to think so. Bob Murphy joins me to discuss (and critique) the Coase Theorem, which purports to solve an important economic puzzle, but which makes methodologically suspect moves that it appears only Austrians may have noticed.   (P.S. We're postponing the discussion of Public Choice, mentioned at the beginning, until a future episode.)   Show notes for Ep. 1125

Research scientist Dr. Mary Ruwart discusses the true effects of the lethal FDA, which we're taught we couldn't live without. Show notes for Ep. 1124

With talk of uncompensated expropriation of white landowners making international news, I thought it was a good time to speak to Ernst Roets, a staple of South African television and deputy CEO of Afriforum, to find out what's going on. Show notes for Ep. 1123

Scott Horton joins me to discuss the views -- on Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Afghanistan, and Iran -- of John Bolton, who was recently tapped to replace H.R. McMaster as National Security Advisor. Check out this episode and you'll be better briefed on the subject than pretty much anyone, anywhere. Show notes for Ep. 1122

Here's how we learn about so-called landmark legislation in school: your wise public servants identified a problem, and then put their heads together in a disinterested, dispassionate way to solve it, and improve life for everyone.   In fact, the real roots of legislation often turn out to be far more mundane. The Sherman Antitrust Act, as Patrick Newman explains, is one such example.   Show notes for Ep. 1121

I was recently a guest on the Six Figure Grind podcast with Kevin Geary, and we talked not about libertarianism but about how I run my little operation here. I hope you take some insights away from our conversation. Show notes for Ep. 1120

José Niño tells the real story of Venezuela: the problems before Chavez, the Chavez disaster, and what's going on today. Plus: are any lessons being learned? Show notes for Ep. 1119

It's a common neoclassical claim that people will prefer an income tax over an equivalent excise tax. This claim, though questionable, is perhaps less interesting than the method these economists use to reach it. In fact, this seemingly obscure question winds up illustrating a great deal about what separates Austrian economics from the mainstream, and which school of thought is more realistic. Show notes for Ep. 1118

Some say the U.S. could have won the Vietnam War had there been more political will, or if this rather than that military strategy had been tried. Gareth Porter joins me to consider this question. Show notes for Ep. 1117

With Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) becoming more prominent both in policy discussions and on social media, now is a good time for a full-blown debate. Enjoy! Show notes for Ep. 1116

Claes Ryn, professor of politics at the Catholic University of America and director of its Center for the Study of Statesmanship, joins me to discuss how a real statesman would conduct American affairs on the world stage and how, by contrast, the present American establishment does so. We also discuss how we got here (and the problem goes way beyond Woodrow Wilson). Show notes for Ep. 1115