Why Western Civilization Is Different

Is it Christianity or geography or family demographics? Is it the Enlightenment?  Ryan McMaken and Zachary Yost discuss theories regarding the rise of the West and why it's different from the rest of the world. Discussed on the show:The Struggle for Liberty: A Libertarian History of Political Thought by Ralph Raico"The History of Freedom in Christianity" by Lord Acton"The History of Freedom in Antiquity" by Lord ActonPioneers of Capitalism by Maarten Prak and Jan Luiten van ZandenTo Have and Have Not by Gregory ClarkBe sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Q: What's the difference between socialism and communism? A: In practice, they're pretty much the same thing. Ryan McMaken and Ruel Domi talk about the debate over what terms like socialism, communism, Marxism, and democratic socialism mean. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

The people making foreign policy are not disinterested servants of some objectively identifiable “national interest.” They are people and interest groups that respond to incentives and self-interest like everyone else.Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

From new wars to vaccine mandates, we're told to trust the government because the government supposedly has special knowledge inaccessible to mere ordinary citizens. This is just a form of government propaganda.Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Ryan McMaken welcomes Mises Institute Senior Fellow Alex Pollock, a longtime expert on real estate finance, for a discussion on how Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Reserve have created a socialist housing market in America. But it's socialism for the rich, and the system has made housing much more expensive for ordinary people. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

European politicians keep pushing for conscription and more recruits. Ryan McMaken and Zachary Yost discuss how the French Revolution gave us modern military conscription, and why governments have long wanted forced military service. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

The Fed wants to keep interest rates low so the government can borrow on the cheap. But bond markets are driving up interest rates as inflation isn't going away. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Economist Jeffery Degner joins Ryan McMaken to discuss why government plans to increase the birth rate have never actually worked. But offering to give voters free money for having children is often good politics. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Months ago, the administration said the war's goals were regime change and the removal of all uranium from Iran. We never hear about that anymore because the war has failed to produce either goal. Instead, Trump calls for opening the Strait of Hormuz, which had been open before the war.Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Much of the discussion around American healthcare ignores the fact that most of the American healthcare system is already a government healthcare system.Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off