Counter Markets

Financial Newsletter for Free Marketeers and Libertarian Entrepreneurs

Tyranny

Authoritarianism Is Not Compatible with Economic Progress: Freedom Is Indivisible

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By Patrick Barron Is it possible, or even desirable, for economic freedom and progress to be compatible with authoritarianism? Although some may believe so, this is a fallacy. Freedom is indivisible. Political and economic freedom cannot be separated. This is the position of Ludwig von Mises himself. In Planning for Freedom, he says, “Tyranny is the political corollary of … [Read more...] about Authoritarianism Is Not Compatible with Economic Progress: Freedom Is Indivisible

Cuba’s Bustling Black Markets Hold an Important Economic Lesson

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By Carlos Martinez Black Markets have always been regarded as networks where buyers and sellers transact goods and services notorious for being morally wrong. Things like hard drugs, illegal prostitution, or guns that are not registered are among the many elements people cite when someone introduces the conversation of black markets to the table. Yet, few have talked … [Read more...] about Cuba’s Bustling Black Markets Hold an Important Economic Lesson

The Moral Law versus Tyranny

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By Gary Galles It struck me recently just how frequently we use the word “law” in our conversations. I read or hear, “That’s against the law” when someone wants someone else not to do something, and “There ought to be a law” when someone wants to further restrict others. I read arguments about what it really means to say that the Constitution is the highest law of the … [Read more...] about The Moral Law versus Tyranny

How to Be an Anti-Authoritarian

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By Barry Brownstein Freedom is declining in America and around the world. Even more alarming is how few people oppose new authoritarian measures. Glenn Greenwald has sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to curtail the First Amendment. Recently Greenwald described his experience as he listened to the “tyrannical goal” expressed at a Congressional hearing: “Words cannot … [Read more...] about How to Be an Anti-Authoritarian

Local Sensitivity and the Value of Decentralization: Understanding Why Tyranny Is More Common in Centralized States

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By Sukhayl Niyazov In big and diverse countries, it is important that smaller units adapt their laws to the local peculiarities and specifics of the economic and public health situation. That is why Donald Trump, when announcing the plan to get America back to work, allowed for states to decide when to reopen, for a single nationwide lifting of restrictions will prove to be … [Read more...] about Local Sensitivity and the Value of Decentralization: Understanding Why Tyranny Is More Common in Centralized States

Why Most Fell for the Lockdowns, While a Few Stood for Liberty

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By Dan Sanchez 2020 will be remembered for many things: COVID-19, nationwide riots, a divisive election. But the rise of pandemic lockdowns will go down as the most momentous. Never before have the day-to-day lives of so much of humanity been so radically upended. And, outside of wartime, never before has there been such a widespread and extreme rollback of human … [Read more...] about Why Most Fell for the Lockdowns, While a Few Stood for Liberty

The New Fascism

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By George Gilder Up here in Maskachusetts, in the Berkshire Hills, we have a new form of fascism that might well be called “phasism” as our Governor Charlie Baker phases out our freedoms and our economic life. Banning music and theater and Tanglewood concerts and tennis tournaments and baseball games and track meets and schools and colleges, he has put his knee on the … [Read more...] about The New Fascism

Why George Orwell’s Warning on “Self-Censorship” Is More Relevant Than Ever

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By Brad Polumbo Rule One: Speak your mind at your own peril. Rule Two: Never risk commissioning a story that goes against the narrative. Rule Three: Never believe an editor or publisher who urges you to go against the grain. Eventually, the publisher will cave to the mob, the editor will get fired or reassigned, and you’ll be hung out to dry. The above is a quotation from … [Read more...] about Why George Orwell’s Warning on “Self-Censorship” Is More Relevant Than Ever