Peter's Blog

Why Transparent Monetary Policy Still Creates Instability

Some economists argue that the key to economic stability lies not in reforming the monetary system but simply in making the Fed more predictable and transparent in its policies. But as Austrian economists have long argued, it is not a lack of transparency that triggers boom-and-bust cycles. It is the Fed’s fundamental tampering with financial […]

How Regulation Protects Monopolies and Weakens Competition

Most Americans understand the visible harm that excessive regulation causes – higher costs and fewer choices in the marketplace. Those less familiar with Austrian economic theory may not appreciate that government regulations also actively create monopolies by shielding politically connected industries from the competitive pressures that drive innovation and spread knowledge. The following article was […]

Behind the Fed’s Curtain: What They Really Think

The Federal Reserve is upheld as a scientific and prestigious institution capable of reining in the excesses of an unregulated economy. In public, Fed officials project confidence and candor, but in private they sometimes acknowledge the problems with centrally planning money. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. The opinions expressed do […]

Inflation Is Noise in the Price Signal

Americans are well-acquainted with the primary effect of inflation– higher prices across the economy. Those not versed in Austrian Business Cycle Theory may not realize that inflation also disrupts and confuses economic calculation, the critical process by which capital is directed toward its best use. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. […]

War Will Be Funded by Inflation

With the prospect of peace on the horizon, free-market economists can rest easier knowing the worst of the Iran war may be over. Even if the war is really over, the state will still use it as a scapegoat for the Federal Reserve’s latest inflationary policies. The following article was originally published by the Mises […]

Money Supply Surges to Multi-Year High as Fed Restarts QE

The latest CPI figures are not pretty, and consumers are feeling it. Despite what politicians and Fed governors say, US monetary policy is nowhere near “restrictive,” and we’re paying the price for it. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Peter Schiff or […]

War’s Economic Fallout Extends Far Beyond the Pump

With the US-Iran war held to a ceasefire, further death and destruction have thankfully been delayed. But, as the Austrian school knows, the sudden wartime disruption of production processes is an economic loss that’s hard to understate. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those […]

How Inflation Stole a Century of Falling Prices

With the latest 12 month CPI figure coming in at 3.3%, it’s clear that inflation is alive and well. What’s less clear to the public is the fact that inflation is a policy choice– an intentional political act meant to rob citizens of the benefits of falling prices. The following article was originally published by […]

Why the Post Office and Non-Profits Struggle Without Market Prices

Free market economists have demonstrated why socialism fails: without true market prices, economic calculation becomes impossible. Some, however, fail to realize that this limitation also applies to other institutions, like nonprofits, that typically don’t face market prices either. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect […]

The Persistent Myth – War Is Not Good for the Economy

Despite pundits’ claims to the contrary, war is not good for the economy. When warhawks fail to grasp this, they fall prey to the age-old broken window fallacy. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Peter Schiff or SchiffGold. War is the ultimate […]