How Chávez's Socialist Revolution Created the Venezuelan Dictator Nicólas Maduro
Under collectivism, "a man must be prepared to break every moral rule," F.A. Hayek observed in 1944.
Socialism
Maduro Is Bad for Venezuela and Bad for the U.S.
His rule threatens U.S. interests by stifling market opportunities, fueling illegal immigration, and elevating regional security risks.
The New York Times Thinks 'Brutal Capitalism,' Not Socialism, Ruined Venezuela
Fact check: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is the leader of the Socialist Party.
Venezuela Illustrates the Perils of "Democratic Socialism"
The Venezuelan experience shows that democracy cannot cure the evils of socialism, and that a democratic socialist system is unlikely to remain democratic for long.
Over 1 Million People Flee Cuba in Just Two Years
That amounts to some 10% of the nation's total population. The surge highlights flaws in both right and left-wing positions on Cuba.
Trent Horn: Can a Catholic be a Socialist?
Catholic Answers apologist Trent Horn explores the nexus of Catholic social teaching and libertarianism.
Whole Foods' John Mackey: We Must Change How We Think About Capitalism
The co-founder of Whole Foods discusses his new memoir, The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism as he launches his new holistic health venture, Love.Life.
Victims of Communism Day — 2024
May Day should be a day to honor victims of an ideology that took tens of millions of lives. But we should also be open to alternative dates if they can attract broad enough support.
Two Posts Relevant to Current Campus Conflicts Over Israel and Hamas
My October 2023 posts on the roots of far-left support for Hamas and the reasons why some "cancellations" are justified remain sadly relevant.
Capitalism Makes Society Less Racist
In the Jim Crow South, businesses fought racism—because the rules denied them customers.
What Differentiates the Political Left and Right?
Matt Yglesias and Bryan Caplan offer contrasting theories. But neither fully works.
Squatters Invaded His Mom's House—so He Fought Back
Thanks to "squatters' rights" laws, evicting a squatter can be so expensive and cumbersome that some people simply walk away from their homes.
Who Best Chronicles the Absurd Reality of Venezuelan Politics? A Giant Manic-Depressive Rodent
Diosdado Cabello, Nicolás Maduro's right-hand man, is threatening retribution against the satirical website.
The Economics and Politics of Star Trek
Akiva Malamet has interesting posts on these topics at the Econlib site.
New Podcasts on Nationalism and Immigration/Border Issues
One is an interview for the new Argue with Me podcast series, and the other is part of Michael Liebowitz's Rational Egoist series.
Argentina, Once One of the Richest Countries, Is Now One of the Poorest. Javier Milei Could Help Fix That.
The new libertarian president believes in free markets and the rule of law. When people have those things, prosperity happens.
Milei vs. the WEF: Who Wins?
Marcos Falcone discusses Argentine President Javier Milei's fiery speech at the World Economic Forum's annual conference in Davos on the latest episode of Just Asking Questions.
What Javier Milei Could Teach Democrats and Republicans About Capitalism
His speech in Davos challenged the growing worldwide trend of increased government involvement in economic affairs.
Trump Wouldn't Be the First Non-Confederate Barred From Office by the 14th Amendment
The weird story of Victor Berger, the Espionage Act, and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.
Sandra Newman: Reimagining 1984 from Julia's Perspective
At the behest of George Orwell's estate, the acclaimed novelist has brilliantly recast his most famous work.
Cass Sunstein on Unifying Principles of Liberalism
The famed Harvard law professor tries to outline a set of principles liberals - broadly defined - can agree on. And it's a strong effort, even though I have a few caveats and reservations.
November 7 as Victims of Communism Day—2023
I have long advocated using May 1 for this purpose. But November 7 is a worthy alternative candidate, which I am happy to adopt if it can attract a broad consensus.
Capitalism Made Us All Richer. So Why Are We Unhappy?
A Q&A with Johan Norberg, author of the book Elon Musk calls "an excellent explanation of why capitalism is not just successful, but morally right."
Far-Left Support for Hamas is not an Aberration
It's rooted in a long history of defending horrific mass murder and other atrocities.
Marcos Falcone: Can a Libertarian Still Win in Argentina?
Argentine libertarian writer Marcos Falcone breaks down Argentina's recent election results and the upcoming runoff.
Can Milei Still Win in Argentina?
Join Reason on YouTube and Facebook at 1 p.m. Eastern on Thursday for a discussion with Argentine libertarian writer Marcos Falcone about Argentina's recent election results and the upcoming runoff.
The Hidden Failures of Social Housing in 'Red Vienna'
A new report details how the city's famed social housing system is suffering from diminishing affordability, deteriorating quality, and funding shortfalls.
Gloria Álvarez and Eduardo Marty: The Potential for a Libertarian President in Argentina
A self-described "anarcho-capitalist" leads in the polls ahead of Argentina's upcoming presidential election.
A Libertarian President in Argentina?
Join Reason on YouTube at 1 p.m. Eastern for a discussion about the rise of Argentina's Javier Milei with Latin American libertarian activist Gloria Álvarez and Argentine economist Eduardo Marty.
The Argentine Libertarian Dog-Friendly Darling?
Plus: Libertarian lessons in the wake of the Maui wildfires
'Private Tyranny' Is Less Private Than You Think
Sohrab Ahmari inadvertently gives even more reasons to reduce the power of the state.
Congress Should Improve and then Pass the Venezuelan Adjustment Act
The bipartisan legislation would grant permanent residency and work rights to some 400,000 refugees from Venezuela's brutal socialist dictatorship.
Portland, Maine, Will Vote on Whether To Roll Back the City's Socialist Housing Policy Revolution
Today, voters will consider a citizen petition that would let landlords raise rents to market rates on vacant units.
Socialism Is Bad for the Environment
"All the time we hear socialists say, 'Next time, we'll get it right.' How many next times do you get?"
'It's Like Stockholm Syndrome': Gloria Álvarez Is Trying To Save Latin America From Socialism
"If there is freedom, private property, rule of law, then Latin Americans thrive," says the social media star.
Victims of Communism Day—2023
May Day should be a day to honor victims of an ideology that took tens of millions of lives. But we should also be open to alternative dates if they can attract broad enough support.
Matt Zwolinski and John Tomasi: Who Owns Libertarianism?
The authors of The Individualists talk Rand, Friedman, Hayek, Rothbard, and the "struggle for the soul" of the libertarian movement.
Capitalism, Socialism, and Fan Complaints About the Role of Giant Eagles in "The Lord of the Rings"
Economist Bryan Caplan explains how standard socialist complaints about free markets are similar to longstanding fan claims that Tolkien's Giant Eagles didn't do enough in the war against Sauron.
Meet the Students Pushing Back Against Socialism
"It's very easy for politicians to legislate freedom away," says Northwood University's Kristin Tokarev. "But it's incredibly hard to get back."
How Third Parties Die
This is what it looks like when a political party's branches start to go their own way.
Why Britain's Prime Minister Prefers To See a Private Doctor
The outrage over Rishi Sunak's health care choices reveals the dire state of the National Health Service.
A Compelling Summary of the Case Against Nationalism
Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute provides what may be the best short summary of the evils of nationalism.
The Pilgrims Dreamed of Socialism. Then Socialism Almost Killed Them.
Private property was the solution to their failed experiment. But people keep repeating the Pilgrims' mistakes.
November 7 as Victims of Communism Day—2022
I have long advocated using May 1 for this purpose. But November 7 is a worthy alternative candidate, which I am happy to adopt if it can attract a broad consensus.
When Karl Marx Made the Case for Capitalism
In barely a century, capitalism led to more productivity "than have all preceding generations together," Marx and Friedrich Engels argued.
Declining Faith in Both Capitalism and Socialism Leaves … What?
Many Americans don’t seem to like any economic systems, and they’re no closer to agreement.
It Wasn't What He Wanted, But Gorbachev Allowed an Evil Empire To Collapse
Alas, the Russians never forgave him.
