Cato Event Podcast

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations were launched to great fanfare in mid-2013 with the pronouncement that a comprehensive deal would be reached by the end of 2014 on a "single tank of gas." But after more than two years and 10 rounds of negotiations, an agreement is nowhere in sight and substantive differences remain between the parties. Despite a retreat from the original level of ambition, skepticism is mounting on both sides of the Atlantic that a deal will be reached anytime soon. What are the prospects for fulfilling the promise of a comprehensive trade and investment deal between the United States and the European Union? What exactly is under negotiation, and what is the strategy for advancing those negotiations? Would it make sense to exclude sacred-cow issues that will only bog down the negotiations? Is it wise to continue pursuing a single comprehensive deal for all issues on the table, or is it better to aim for a sequence of smaller agreements? Should a deal include other closely integrated countries, such as Canada, Mexico, and Turkey? How will TTIP affect the multilateral trading system, relations with the BRICS countries, and prospects for developing countries?Those and many other questions will be addressed through panel presentations, roundtable discussions, and debates by more than 30 trade experts from around the world at a conference hosted by the Cato Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite today’s polarized political atmosphere, it is possible to construct an ambitious and highly promising agenda of pro-growth policy reform that would command support across the ideological spectrum. Such an agenda would focus on policies whose primary effect is to inflate the incomes and wealth of the rich, the powerful, and the well-established by shielding them from market competition.Excessive monopoly privileges granted under copyright and patent law, restrictions on high-skilled immigration, protection of incumbent service providers under occupational licensing, and artificial scarcity created by land-use regulation are four such examples.Rolling back these types of regulations is the low hanging fruit of pro-growth reform. Unfortunately that fruit is guarded by “dragons”—the powerful interest groups that benefit from the status quo and can be expected to defend it tenaciously.Join us to discuss why this fight needs to be waged and won in order to reverse the deterioration in America’s long-term growth outlook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 3rd, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Immigration Act of 1965 into law. Widely viewed as a component of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1965 Act liberalized immigration and replaced the last eugenics-inspired portions of the Immigration Act of 1924. For the first time in generations, immigrants from Western Europe were not given legal preference over those from Asia and the rest of the developing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 3rd, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Immigration Act of 1965 into law. Widely viewed as a component of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1965 Act liberalized immigration and replaced the last eugenics-inspired portions of the Immigration Act of 1924. For the first time in generations, immigrants from Western Europe were not given legal preference over those from Asia and the rest of the developing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 3rd, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Immigration Act of 1965 into law. Widely viewed as a component of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1965 Act liberalized immigration and replaced the last eugenics-inspired portions of the Immigration Act of 1924. For the first time in generations, immigrants from Western Europe were not given legal preference over those from Asia and the rest of the developing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 3rd, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Immigration Act of 1965 into law. Widely viewed as a component of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1965 Act liberalized immigration and replaced the last eugenics-inspired portions of the Immigration Act of 1924. For the first time in generations, immigrants from Western Europe were not given legal preference over those from Asia and the rest of the developing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 3rd, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Immigration Act of 1965 into law. Widely viewed as a component of the Civil Rights Movement, the 1965 Act liberalized immigration and replaced the last eugenics-inspired portions of the Immigration Act of 1924. For the first time in generations, immigrants from Western Europe were not given legal preference over those from Asia and the rest of the developing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indigenous peoples’ land rights around the world have long been violated or weakened by hostile or wrong-headed government policies. Tim Wilson will explain why property rights are human rights, and how legal impediments still undermine the ability of Aboriginal and other indigenous Australians to use their land titles as they see fit, including with various ownership structures. Karol Boudreaux will discuss how legal, social, and technological developments on the five continents are increasingly devolving property rights to indigenous and local people. Both speakers will discuss how this shift toward rights can help reduce poverty, improve governance, discourage land grabs, reduce conflict, and manage natural resources and the environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Americans swim daily in a sea of mandated disclosures. These disclosures accompany every trip to the doctor’s office, every credit card statement, every purchase of a song on your smartphone. Their intent is to transform every person into a well-informed consumer, able to make sound choices whether considering a range of medical treatments or a range of credit card features. But are the reams of information produced through mandated disclosures actually helpful? Are we making better choices? Is the enormous expense of compiling, distributing, and reviewing the information worth the benefit to the consumer? In their book, More Than You Wanted to Know: The Failure of Mandated Disclosure, law professors Omri Ben-Shahar and Carl E. Schneider conclude that these disclosures have utterly failed to achieve their goals and that widespread reliance on them is misplaced. Please join Professor Ben-Shahar and distinguished commentators for a spirited discussion of the use and misuse of mandated disclosure in our daily lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The disappointing aftermath of the Arab Spring produced pessimism about the spread of liberalism in much of the Muslim world. Sudanese-born author Amir Ahmad Nasr will draw from his profoundly personal and critically acclaimed book to discuss the real ramifications of the digital revolution and the social movements it helped unleash. He will make the case for an assertive liberalism and explain how the power of the internet is a force for good in transforming ideas and identities in Islamic societies. Souad Adnane will explain why such optimism is justified now that the door has opened for people to question dogmas and think about new possibilities for social change even if the initial goals of the Arab Spring were not achieved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each year, thousands of young professionals descend on Washington with the hope of landing the perfect job at a think tank, on Capitol Hill, or in related fields. With so many bright, talented interns and recent graduates vying for the same opportunities, how can you distinguish yourself from the pack?Join the Cato Institute and America’s Future Foundation for a crash course in creative networking and career advancement — an event specifically designed for young professionals. Speakers will discuss topics related to post-graduate professional success, with a special focus on policy research and analysis, and the role of ideas generated within the nonprofit network in the broad public policy debate.Each semester, thousands of young professionals descend on Washington, hoping to make a name for themselves and to land the perfect job. With so many bright, talented interns and recent graduates vying for the same opportunities, how can you distinguish yourself from the pack? Find out how to leverage your talent, gain influence, and make the most of your internship. Learn and network with your newest peers and a diverse panel of knowledgeable D.C. insiders.--> Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most publicized bailout of the financial crisis was the TARP bill that provided capital injections to a wide range of banks. But most of the assistance to financial firms was provided through a less publicized set of emergency lending programs authorized by Section 13-3 of the Federal Reserve Act. This emergency lending authority supported the Fed’s rescue of AIG, a massive set of guarantees for Citibank, which would have failed without them, and an alphabet soup of lending ‘facilities’ that supported a small set of Wall Street dealers with almost unlimited cheap credit for a period of years.When Congress examined this issue during the Dodd-Frank Act, they placed new limits on emergency lending that are contained in Section 1101 of the legislation. These limits are clearly intended to limit 13-3 lending to programs that are truly broad based (as opposed to bailing out a small set of insider Wall Street institutions) and to exclude the use of the program for bailouts of institutions that are actually insolvent. Join us as we discuss whether Dodd-Frank’s limitations to the Fed’s 13-3 powers went too far, or not far enough.11:30 a.m.–12:10 p.m.Panel 1: A Policy PerspectiveModerated by: Ylan Mui, Washington PostMark Calabria, Cato InstituteMarcus Stanley, Americans for Financial ReformPhillip Swagel, University of Maryland12: 15 – 12:45 p.m.Panel 2: A Congressional PerspectiveModerated by: Mark Calabria, Cato InstituteSenator David Vitter (R-LA)Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By returning the focus of the Catholic Church to the plight of the poor, Pope Francis has become much loved and admired. His prestige and influence is commensurate with his humanity and humility. But is Francis right about capitalism and its consequences? Is it true that capitalism is a form of exploitation that leads to poverty and inequality? Or is it the only proven way of dramatically reducing poverty and, even, achieving unprecedented material abundance? Please join our distinguished panel for a discussion of Pope Francis’s economics, and the Papal interpretation of economic history and the state of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Without congressional reauthorization, E-Verify, the electronic employment eligibility verification program, will sunset on September 30. E-Verify is intended to screen illegal immigrants out of the job market by turning off the “jobs magnet” that attracts them to American soil.Many policymakers want to mandate E-Verify as part of an enforcement-only immigration policy. But its high error rate will delay or prevent employment for many current U.S. citizens, legal immigrants, and migrant workers. Furthermore, E-Verify is incapable of meaningfully locking unlawful immigrants out of America’s job market. If E-Verify is ever made permanent, and its inadequacy in stemming the flow of illegal migrants made apparent, the likely outcome will be the creation of a biometric identification system capable of regulating our lives in areas far outside of immigration enforcement. Join us for a discussion of E-Verify and its many perils. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Magna Carta was a milestone that circumscribed the power of the sovereign for the first time in human history. In his new book, distinguished British historian and television personality David Starkey looks at the origins of the Great Charter in the 13th century, its significant early revisions, and the ways in which it has been interpreted and reinterpreted by subsequent generations. Starkey explains how core principles of this quintessentially English document migrated to the North American colonies and eventually became the cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution. He also explores how the Magna Carta indirectly led to the enshrinement of human rights in such documents as the Bill of Rights. Please join us for a discussion of the past and current state of constitutional politics in the western world—including the assault on our freedoms by the proponents of multiculturalism and political correctness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has long been a public policy goal—and social ideal—to bring black and white children together in the same schools. It is a goal, however, that has not been met. In this forum we will discuss several reasons for this, including federal policies that have all but assured segregated housing and, hence, segregated public schools. We will also look at potential ways to solve these problems that are both ambitious and realistic about what can be accomplished. We hope you’ll join us for this crucial conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many centuries, only the politically connected and elite prospered in India, while the rest of the population lived in poverty. Since 1991, however, 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty and are finding new ways of unlocking their potential. India Awakes explores an inherited British bureaucracy, which created layers of rules and regulations, and it shows how globalization and economic liberalization are leading to social change. Join us to see a segment of the documentary from the Free to Choose Network. Film host Johan Norberg will discuss how individuals from different parts of India are breaking down the centuries-old caste system through new opportunities, entrepreneurship, and by obtaining property and other legal rights.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next week marks the one-year anniversary of the start of America's War with ISIS. But after 12 months and more than 5,000 airstrikes—and with some 3,500 U.S. soldiers on the ground—Congress has yet to hold a vote on authorization for our latest Middle East war.Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) calls this situation "inexcusable." He has been a leader in the effort to get Congress to live up to the most solemn responsibility with which the Constitution entrusts it. "How much longer will we allow war to be waged without Congress even being willing to have a debate about the strategy and scope of the mission?" he asked from the Senate floor recently. "How much longer will we keep asking service members to risk their lives without Congress doing the basic job" of taking an up-or-down vote on the war?Join us on August 6 as we discuss the dangerous growth of executive war powers and how Congress can reclaim its constitutional prerogatives over war and peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Cato University 2015: Summer Seminar on Political EconomyThe Cato Institute’s premier educational event, this annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe in order to examine the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government, and explore the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s growing national debt, now surpassing $18 trillion dollars, has dropped out of the headlines recently, but that doesn’t mean the problem has gone away. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid alone account for 47 percent of federal spending today, a portion that will only grow larger in the future, reaching well over $26 trillion in just 10 years. Furthermore, if you fold in the unfunded liabilities of Social Security and Medicare our real indebtedness exceeds $90.5 trillion.To avoid the pressing budgetary disaster, Democrats and Republicans must come together and reform these entitlement programs. Join us for an in-depth look at the obstacles and the potential solutions to the implications of sky-high national debt and the future that doing nothing portends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Throughout the past five decades there have been many forecasts of impending environmental doom. These projections have universally been proven wrong. Those who have bet on human resourcefulness, however„ have almost always been correct. In his book, Bailey provides a detailed examination of the theories, studies, and assumptions currently spurring forecasts of calamity and shaping environmental policy. Breaking down the numbers, he finds that — thanks to human ingenuity and economic progress — many current ecological trends are in fact positive. Cancer rates are falling in America, world population will soon be declining, more and more land is being restored to nature, increasing wealth is leading to decreasing pollution, and the cost of clean energy will soon fall below that of fossil fuels. As Bailey demonstrates, the way to cement these trends is not to retreat into a maze of paralyzing regulation but to craft our own future through continuing economic and technological development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — a.k.a. Obamacare — remains highly controversial and faces ongoing legal and political challenges. Polls show that by a large margin Americans remain opposed to the healthcare law. However, the question is: replace it with what?In A Better Choice: Healthcare Solutions for America, John C. Goodman provides a way out of the healthcare quagmire. Join us to hear from Mr. Goodman, as well as Cato’s own Michael F. Cannon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News organizations have recently documented the proliferation of synthetic or “designer” drugs that produce physical and psychological effects similar to those of traditional mind-altering substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Policymakers have scrambled to outlaw substances that can sometimes regain legal status with a modest change in chemical makeup. Some of the new drugs even masquerade as such innocuous, perfectly legal products as air fresheners or potpourri. Can these new mind-altering substances be outlawed without resorting to tortured legal rationales? Are there alternatives to a prohibitionist strategy? Could policymakers better promote public safety by requiring strict production standards, but not attempting to ban their use? Cato senior fellow Ted Galen Carpenter will discuss his recent study on synthetic drugs, followed by a discussion with other experts on the future of drug policy in the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human beings are social creatures by nature. It should therefore come as no surprise that many decisions occur within the context of social groups. Whether a decision involves choosing a restaurant or which nominee a political party should support, individuals within a group often accept trade-offs as long as decisions are made within established rules. How do these rules develop? How do individuals determine what trade-offs they are willing to accept? If rules and trade-offs are unique to each group, how can political scientists truly understand what people want? In his book, Choosing in Groups, Professor Michael Munger of Duke University examines these dynamics and the relevance they have for understanding political institutions and politics in general. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dominated by Europe's welfare states, the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been pushing policies to enable higher taxes and bigger government. The latest example is a base erosion and profit-shifting (BEPS) initiative that would raise business tax burdens and undermine the competitiveness of American firms operating in global markets. An expert panel will explain the new OECD scheme and outline a better policy approach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are libertarians and conservatives just variations of the same ideological species, or do they represent unique and separate philosophical traditions? One of National Review's founding editors, Frank Meyer — father of Federalist Society president Eugene Meyer — called for a synthesis of the traditionalist and libertarian strains within the magazine's followers. This "fusionism" animated Cold War conservatism and influenced the likes of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan. Decades later, facing a very different electoral landscape, another National Review staffer, Charles C. W. Cooke, hopes to get the band back together again. But does the political calculus still work? Can there be a marriage of convenience when the issues that strain the would-be alliance — gay marriage, immigration, the drug war, foreign policy — are as salient to many voters as issues that would cement it? With the 2016 election season already underway, please join us for a spirited discussion of The Conservatarian Manifesto and decide for yourself whether conservatives and libertarians should work closely to advance their common goals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court’s decision on King v. Burwell validated President Obama’s massive power grab, allowing him to tax, borrow, and spend $700 billion without congressional approval. This establishes a precedent that could let any president modify, amend, or suspend any enacted law at his or her whim.As it stands, Obamacare will continue to disrupt coverage for sick Americans until Congress repeals it and replaces it with reforms that make health care better, more affordable, and more secure. Despite the ruling, Obamacare remains unpopular with the American public and the battle to set in place a health care system that works for all Americans is far from over.Come hear leading scholars discuss the impact of King v. Burwell on health care reform, separation of powers, and the rule of law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As U.S. policymakers debate how best to deal with the problem of abusive patent litigation, some other governments have decided to fight fire with fire by creating state-owned patent assertion entities. The phenomenon deserves more attention from policymakers in Washington, who are bound to play an important role in shaping international rules to regulate these government "patent trolls." Known formally as sovereign patent funds, these public-private entities amass large patent portfolios they can use to help domestic companies—sometimes through litigation against foreign competitors. Is this policy a reasonable response to the difficulties many companies face managing patents in a global economy, or is it merely a new form of protectionist industrial policy? Come hear our expert panel discuss the peculiar complexities of this emerging issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.