Drawing on economics, history, and everyday examples, this essay traces the vast web of knowledge, skills, incentives, and price signals that make the smartphone possible. From rare earth minerals mined across continents to cutting-edge design, testing, manufacturing, and distribution, I, Smartphone shows how billions of independent decisions—made without central direction—come together through the miracle of the free market.

This interview, aside from addressing the question, “Was Jesus a Socialist?” also touches on events in Poland, Argentina, and Brazil. Published by “Speak Freely” on March 19, 2026.

One of the 20th Century’s giants of both music and freedom.

Margaret Thatcher famously said once, “If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” That was certainly the case in the ancient story of the great Israelite leader, Deborah.

Most historians would be hard pressed to identify another generation anywhere who did more to liberate and enlighten humanity.

From January 1 until July 4, 1776, the world spoke of America as 13 colonies in open rebellion against Great Britain. From July 4 onward, we were called the United States of America. To pre-order Born of Ideas, click here: https://tinyurl.com/7hebjdhf.

Only socialists can look at Poland and Venezuela and arrive at the wrong conclusion. For everybody else, which system works and which does not is as certain as where the sun rises and where it sets. Spanish version: https://tinyurl.com/yt44u7px.

Most Native Americans were not bystanders as patriots fought British soldiers and Hessian mercenaries.

To his last breath, he mustered great eloquence to assault the arrogance of socialism and to defend the virtues of liberty. Article also appears here: https://fee.org/articles/the-life-of-frederic-bastiat/.

She became, writes historian Henry Louis Gates, “the most famous African on the face of the earth, the Oprah Winfrey of her time.”

A war-time incident involving a lost dog underscored the biggest reason Washington won the war.

Despite the general decline in morals and governance that characterized much of the imperial era, ordinary Romans fared better than you might surmise, at least until the decline overwhelmed them in the late fifth century. Photo: part of the Circus Maximus.

I took an evening course once that proved to be the best investment I ever made. Pictured here is the same model of typewriter that I used for that course. Thank you, Charles Latham Sholes!

In September 1944, General Eisenhower intended for Allied forces to eventually capture Berlin, the Nazi capital. By March 1945, he had changed his mind. Why? This is an essay I wrote 51 years ago as a senior at Grove City College.

Historians generally posit that the Roman welfare state appeared in the last century of the old Republic, beginning with grain subsidies in 123 B.C. But the racket is even older than that, by at least 300 years. Photo credit: Douglas Rissing via iStock.

A new, free eBook from FEE. On Chinese history from a liberty perspective by Lawrence W. Reed and Katrina Gulliver.

The U.S. never threatened or bullied Denmark before it peacefully purchased the Danish West Indies more than a century ago.

Arrested and incarcerated twice by the British for espionage, this Polish immigrant gave all he had to the American cause.

On the 250th anniversary of the appearance of Common Sense, I decided to give it a long overdue re-examination. I wanted to see if it would “electrify” me as it did so many people so long ago. It did.

January 8 is a very important day in the illustrious life of Australia’s preeminent champion of freedom and free markets.