The Human Action Podcast

Man, Economy, and State: Monopoly with Dr. Walter Block

The Human Action Podcast
Jeff Deist Walter Block

When Murray Rothbard wrote Man, Economy, and State in the 1950s, monopoly theory was a mess. Even Mises did not have a full understanding of where neoclassical economics went wrong in diagnosing “market failure.” But in Chapter 10 of his great treatise, Rothbard demolished the myths surrounding monopolies and cartels. His friend Dr. Walter Block joins the show to discuss Rothbard’s breakthroughs and draw downward-sloping demand diagrams for us!

We discuss why deadweight loss is nonsense; why government privilege and forced union bargaining are the real culprits; and why cartels are inherently unstable. Even Google should not worry us, says Dr. Block—but with a caveat. Don’t miss this show on groundbreaking Rothbardian monopoly insights! 

Read the book free of charge in searchable HTML format here.

Use the code HAPOD for a discount on Man, Economy, and State from our bookstore: Mises.org/BuyMES

Additional Resources

Dr. Joe Salerno’s introduction to Man, Economy, and State: Mises.org/SalernoMES

Man, Economy, and State: Mises.org/MES