The Tom Woods Show

Oxfam released a report this week warning about global inequality, and proposing the usual wealth-destroying solutions. Here's why the report ought to be ignored. Show notes for Ep. 829

There's talk these days about subjecting the Federal Reserve System to certain rules in order to make monetary policy less erratic and opqaue, and to remove much of the discretion that the Fed has enjoyed over the years. Should we get behind this kind of plan, or are there pitfalls? Show notes for Ep. 828

Libertarian comedian Andrew Heaton joins me to discuss topics ranging from licensing to taxation, as only a comedian can. Show notes for Ep. 827

Murray Sabrin joins me to discuss the likely features of a Trump presidency, including the best outcomes libertarians might be able to hope for. Show notes for Ep. 826

It's not just that I've learned more about email marketing from Ben Settle than from anyone else, though I have. (I subscribe to his monthly Email Players newsletter.) I've learned a ton about all kinds of things that have helped me become successful online. He's funny, he's iconoclastic, and he's really smart, so whatever your profession, you'll be glad you listened to our conversation. Show notes for Ep. 825

Obamacare is back in the news as the prospect of its repeal is discussed in the media. The Los Angeles Times ran seven charts that are supposed to show Obamacare has not been a failure, as Republicans contend, but a great success. Bob Murphy joins me to get to the bottom of it. Show notes for Ep. 824

Prolific libertarian scholar Walter Block recently reached an almost unheard-of milestone: 500 articles in peer-reviewed journals. We look back on the debates he's had and the topics he's covered, and he offers advice about writing and publication based on his years of experience. Fun! Show notes for Ep. 823

Thomas Sowell, a prolific scholar who has had a great influence on me, ended his syndicated column a couple of weeks ago. Gene Epstein of Barron's joins me for an overview of Sowell's work on race, economics, and more. Show notes for Ep. 822

Shawn Ritenour, a professor of economics at Grove City College, has just filled a very important gap: until now, it's been hard to find a really good book for people to get started reading Ludwig von Mises, the great economist. I personally felt his introductory texts were too introductory, while his treatises were too intimidating. With The Mises Reader, this problem is solved. In this episode we discuss Mises on economic method, Keynes and Keynesianism, and much more. Show notes for Ep. 821

Don Boudreaux, professor of economics at George Mason University, joins me to review some of the more common complaints against markets, as reflected in recent books by well-known authors. Show notes for Ep. 820

I've spoken to numerous professors who have confronted the campus left, so I thought I'd talk to a current college student who writes about these subjects to find out what's really up and what if anything we can do about it. Show notes for Ep. 819

Michael Malice comes to libertarianism more from a Randian perspective, and Tom from a Rothbardian one. Michael recently read The Betrayal of the American Right, Rothbard's part-history, part-autobiography. The resulting conversation is really excellent -- possibly my favorite Malice appearance yet. Show notes for Ep. 818

Human Resources departments have for practical purposes become wings of the federal regime. Instead of seeking out the best employees who also happen to fit the company's internal culture, HR departments have adopted a social work philosophy aimed at boosting particular kinds of candidates. Jeb Kinnison discusses how this came to be in his new book, Death by HR. Show notes for Ep. 817

We lost Ralph Raico, a great libertarian historian, in December 2016. I spent the first part of this episode discussing his work; see also the link to one of his books below. I also answer several interesting listener questions, then offer to do an escape room with people in two U.S. cities. How could you not listen to this one? Show notes for Ep. 816

Does the American system bear any resemblances to Rome during its imperial period? Paul Krugman, who has cheered virtually every step toward empire (we're not talking foreign policy here; we mean empire as in a system dominated by a single man or a single centralized government), has the gall to be concerned all of a sudden. This is episode 66 of my sister podcast, Contra Krugman. Show notes for Ep. 815

Documentary filmmaker Cassie Jaye began her project on the men's rights movement as an unsympathetic, almost uncomprehending observer. After letting representatives of that movement tell their story, she had the honesty to admit there was merit in their position. Show notes for Ep. 814

Shari Spivack, president of the Second Amendment Women Shooting Club, discusses gun rights from the point of view of someone who trains people in firearms usage rather than engages in political activism. Some people should probably stuff envelopes, I guess, but without people like Shari, what have we got? Show notes for Ep. 813

The subject of Augusto Pinochet divides Chileans even today: should he be honored for making Chile more prosperous and desirable than its neighbors, or should he be condemned for human rights abuses? Show notes for Ep. 812

Libertarian titan Lew Rockwell joins me to discuss some names in the Trump cabinet, the alleged "Russian hacking," and the overall creepiness of the American ruling class. Show notes for Ep. 811

Neal Harmon is CEO of VidAngel.com, which offers streaming movies filtered according to the viewer's preference. Should VidAngel be allowed to do this? Show notes for Ep. 810