In this episode of the Minor Issues podcast, Mark Thornton unpacks the fascinating world of the gold-silver ratio. Once a key player in bimetallism debates and Gresham’s law, this ratio is now making headlines as it hovers near record highs—over 100 ounces of silver to one ounce of gold.

Mark explores the historical context behind these numbers, and explains why these shifts can signal deeper changes in the economy. He also breaks down what the ratio means for different types of investors, how tariffs and trade wars can twist relative prices across the board, and why understanding these shifts is crucial for everyone—not just economists.

Additional Resources

Gold-Silver Ratio Charts at Gold Price: https://Mises.org/MI_119_A

"Bring Back Gold!" by Lew Rockwell: https://Mises.org/MI_119_B

"Gold:silver ratio hits 105, but analysts are not giving up on the ‘little’ sibling" by Neils Christensen (Kitco): https://Mises.org/MI_119_C

Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues

The Gold-Silver Ratio

While Trump has not yet turned to price controls to address America‘s absurdly high drug prices, Monday‘s executive order suggests that he soon may. Price controls would only worsen the problem with the drug market. Here are three things he can do instead.

Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/how-trump-can-lower-drug-prices-without-price-controls

The Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at https://mises.org/gabfreebook

Be sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at https://Mises.org/GB

How Trump Can Lower Drug Prices Without Price Controls

Presented as part of the Mises Institute’s Brown Bag Seminar series on February 15, 1995, in Auburn, Alabama.

How Wars Endanger American Freedom

Political Scientist Joseph Solis-Mullen joins Ryan McMaken to review Ralph Raico’s newly published lectures on politics in the West. We recommend this book for all who want a pro-freedom history of political thought.

Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbard

Radio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug 
PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

A History of Political Theory in the West

On Economics Explored, host Gene Tunny and guest Dr. Mark Thornton discuss the “Skyscraper Curse,” the uncanny correlation between constructing the world’s tallest buildings and subsequent global economic crises. Mark explains why these architectural achievements often precede financial downturns. With the resurrection of Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower project—destined to become the world’s tallest building—set for completion around 2027, could another global economic crisis be imminent?

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that connects skyscrapers, economics, and predictions for our financial future.

Additional Resources

“The Skyscraper Curse and Austrian Economics with Mark Thornton” (Economics Explored Podcast with Gene Tunney): https://Mises.org/MI_120_A

The Skyscraper Curse: And How Austrian Economists Predicted Every Major Economic Crisis of the Last Century by Mark Thornton: https://Mises.org/Curse

An Essay on Economic Theory by Richard Cantillon (edited by Mark Thornton): https://Mises.org/MI_120_B

Be sure to follow Minor Issues at https://Mises.org/MinorIssues

Resurrection of the Skyscraper Curse?

Economist Alex Tabarrok joins Bob to review Trump’s executive order on prescription drug pricing. They explore how price discrimination works in global pharmaceutical markets, the unintended consequences of importation policies, and why U.S. consumers often pay more—yet benefit most from drug innovation. Tabarrok also critiques the FDA’s role in delaying treatments and explains how regulatory reform, not price caps, could make healthcare more affordable and effective.

Alex's Article, "Econ 101 is Underrated: Pharma Price Controls": https://Mises.org/HAP500a

Why Are US Drug Prices So High?

Phillip Tourney provides a first-hand account of the 1967 USS Liberty incident, examining its lasting implications for US foreign policy, governmental transparency, and historical accountability.

Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on May 16, 2025.

The Attack on the USS Liberty

Who really caused the violence of Reconstruction? Wanjiru Njoya exposes how federal intervention fueled racial conflict and dismantled the South's social order—challenging modern myths with historical truth.

Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on May 17, 2025.

Reconstruction Reconsidered

Brion McClanahan dismantles the so-called "righteous cause" narrative that shapes modern American history and foreign policy, tracing its roots from Sumner and Lincoln to the war in Iraq.

Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on May 17, 2025.

The Righteous Cause Conquers the World

The Mises Institute, founded in 1982, is an educational institution devoted to advancing Austrian economics, freedom, and peace in the classical-liberal tradition. Our website offers many thousands of free books and thousands of hours of audio and video, along with the full run of rare journals, biographies, and bibliographies of great economists.