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Prohibition's rise and fall: EconTalk interview with Daniel Okrent


While yesterday's post dealt with money laundering and present-day drug smugglers, today's feature looks at their 1930s precursor: bootleggers of alcohol and the US Prohibition era of the 1920s and '30s.

Russ Roberts of the EconTalk podcast speaks with author, Daniel Okrent about his latest book, Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition.

Roberts notes at the outset that the book is not only a history of Prohibition, but also a thorough look at America and its social history leading up to the Prohibition era. It also seems to provide a real insight into the development of the progressive movement and its resulting "well intentioned" legislative acts.

Have a listen to Okrent's and Roberts' look back at the rise and fall of prohibition; you may enjoy the insights on the unintended consequences of Constitutional amendments which were set up to restrict individual rights (rather than defend them).

Related articles and posts:

1. The Economics of Prohibition (free pdf or hard copy) - Mark Thornton at Mises.org.

2. End the Drug War - John Stossel at Reason.

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