In this episode of the Human Action Podcast, Bob welcomes guest Joshua Mawhorter to discuss his recent article on the role of government in sustaining slavery. The conversation covers several key points, including slave patrols, fugitive slave laws, manumission restrictions, and constitutional subsidies. Mawhorter argues that slavery persisted largely due to government intervention rather than free-market mechanisms and highlights the inefficiencies and extensive costs associated with maintaining the institution. They also touch on modern discussions of reparations and the historical patterns of slavery's abolition in other countries.

• Josh's Mises Wire Article, "Governments Had a Major Role in Sustaining Slavery": Mises.org/HAP465a
• Mark Thornton, "Slavery, Profitability, and the Market Process": Mises.org/HAP465b
• Jeffrey Hummel, "The Political Economy of Slavery, Secession, and Emancipation": Mises.org/HAP465c
• Jeffrey Hummel, "U.S. Slavery and Economic Thought": Mises.org/HAP465d
• Alan Olmstead, "Cotton, Slavery, and the New History of Capitalism": Mises.org/HAP465e

Registration for the 2024 Mises Institute Supporters Summit is open for Mises Members: Mises.org/SS24

Bob goes solo to explain the contributions of Carl Menger and Ludwig von Mises to monetary theory. He then deals with the critique of David Graeber, who argues that the economists' story of the origin of money is bogus.

• Bob's Article, "Origin of the Specie": Mises.org/HAP464a
• R. A. Radford, "The Economic Organisation of a P.O.W": Mises.org/HAP464b
• Bob's Book, Understanding Money Mechanics: Mises.org/HAP464c

Get your ticket to Living Free in an Unfree World in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Mises.org/NM24

Dr. Jonathan Newman joins Bob to analyze Kamala Harris's proposals against price gouging, and how some mainstream economists defend Government price controls. They also address misconceptions about price gouging and the evolving mainstream narrative on inflation.

• Bob's Article on Harris's Anti-Price Gouging Proposals: Mises.org/HAP463a
• The Boston Globe Article Supporting Harris's Proposal: Mises.org/HAP463b

For the week only, get a FREE copy of Dr. Per Bylund's How to Think About the Economy: Mises.org/HAPodFree