Cato Event Podcast

Over the past 200 years, humanity has become much more prosperous, educated, healthy, and peaceful. Alexander Hammond will discuss some of the heroes of progress, who saved or improved billions of lives, and the social and economic conditions that made their contributions possible. Whether it’s agronomists whose hybrid crops fed billions of people, intellectuals who changed public policy to allow for greater human flourishing, businesspeople whose innovations raised living standards, or scientists whose medical breakthroughs eliminated diseases, if it weren’t for the heroes who Hammond profiles, we’d all be far poorer, sicker, hungrier, more ignorant, and less free. Clay Routledge will speak of the individual’s role in advancing human progress and the need for a cultural movement that champions a hopeful vision of the future and the underlying psychological traits, attitudes, and aspirations that inspire people to reach their full potential and become agents of progress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you eager to secure that dream internship opportunity? Do you want to stand out from the competition, make a lasting impression with your application, and ace the interview? If so, join us for an informative and interactive session with panels of current interns and application reviewers.HighlightsUnlocking Your Potential: Discover the key elements that make an internship application shine. Understand what we are looking for and how to align your skills and experiences with our expectations.Tips and Tricks: Gain insights from application reviewers who will share what they look for in applications and during interviews to rise to the top.Q&A: Bring your burning questions and get answers from a panel of program supervisors and scholars. Clarify any doubts you may have about the application process.Success Stories: Hear inspiring stories from individuals who secured a spot in the internship program and discover how they navigated the application process.Who Should AttendCollege students seeking internship opportunities.Recent graduates looking to gain hands‐​on experience.Career changers exploring new fields.Anyone interested in improving their candidacy.Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the internship application process. Whether you’re a student eager to gain real‐​world experience or a recent graduate aiming to launch your career, this event will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to create a compelling application and stand out in an interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you eager to secure that dream internship opportunity? Do you want to stand out from the competition, make a lasting impression with your application, and ace the interview? If so, join us for an informative and interactive session with panels of current interns and application reviewers.HighlightsUnlocking Your Potential: Discover the key elements that make an internship application shine. Understand what we are looking for and how to align your skills and experiences with our expectations.Tips and Tricks: Gain insights from application reviewers who will share what they look for in applications and during interviews to rise to the top.Q&A: Bring your burning questions and get answers from a panel of program supervisors and scholars. Clarify any doubts you may have about the application process.Success Stories: Hear inspiring stories from individuals who secured a spot in the internship program and discover how they navigated the application process.Who Should AttendCollege students seeking internship opportunities.Recent graduates looking to gain hands‐​on experience.Career changers exploring new fields.Anyone interested in improving their candidacy.Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the internship application process. Whether you’re a student eager to gain real‐​world experience or a recent graduate aiming to launch your career, this event will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to create a compelling application and stand out in an interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China’s military threat to Taiwan and the role of the United States in addressing it are hot topics in Washington. However, Taiwan’s self‐​defense capabilities are often overlooked and are arguably more important than the US‐​China military balance for deterring a Chinese attack. Unfortunately, Taiwan’s military is not well‐​structured to prevail in an invasion scenario, and it has been reluctant to fully embrace an asymmetric defense strategy that would give it the best chance of success.In a recent Cato Institute policy analysis, “Taiwan’s Urgent Need for Asymmetric Defense,” Eric Gomez makes the case for Taiwan to specialize its armed forces and adopt an asymmetric defense strategy designed to hold out in two critical military operations that Taiwan will likely be fighting alone, even if the US military intervenes. Gomez lays out a mix of policy changes to push Taiwan toward asymmetric defense while also buying it the necessary time to overhaul its military. Please join our panel of experts to discuss this pressing policy issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is the Middle East the least free region of the world? Some observers focus on external factors, such as European colonialism or US foreign policy. Others highlight political or cultural elements. In his book Freedoms Delayed, Timur Kuran focuses on the persistent impact of Islamic law on civil, political, and economic liberties. “Because of its institutional history,” he says, “there is no quick fix to the Middle East’s ongoing illiberalism.” But, he adds, “Islam’s rich history carries within it the seeds of liberalization on many fronts.” Professor Kuran will explain why freedoms are “delayed” in the Middle East but not unattainable. John Voll and Mustafa Akyol will evaluate Kuran’s thesis and assess the prospects of freedom in the region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Joe Biden assumed the presidency, he brought with him one of the most experienced foreign policy teams in modern U.S. history. National security reporter Alexander Ward’s first book takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the Biden team’s struggle to enact a coherent and effective set of policies across several global crises. From the Afghanistan withdrawal to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—and the subsequent fallout from both—Ward provides the first glimpse at how history may view the Biden administration’s foreign policy. Please join us for a discussion with the author and a panel of foreign policy experts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rise of China has led to concerns about its use of military threats to coerce other nations. Emerging from an award‐​winning article in the journal International Security, China’s Gambit examines when, why, and how China attempts to coerce states over perceived threats to its national security. Author Ketian Zhang demonstrates that while China has used coercion for territorial disputes and issues related to Taiwan and Tibet, it is curiously selective in the timing, target, and tools of coercion. Join us for a discussion with a luncheon to follow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Race and racism have been intimately bound throughout American history and remain at the forefront of challenging conversations in politics, in policy, and in the classroom. How are we to understand and productively engage in these conversations and do so in a way that empowers our students? Join Sphere Education Initiatives on February 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST via Zoom for an important and informative discussion with the authors of the newly released book Race and the American Story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Race and racism have been intimately bound throughout American history and remain at the forefront of challenging conversations in politics, in policy, and in the classroom. How are we to understand and productively engage in these conversations and do so in a way that empowers our students? Join Sphere Education Initiatives on February 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST via Zoom for an important and informative discussion with the authors of the newly released book Race and the American Story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The COVID-19 pandemic made the public more aware of the benefits of telehealth technology. However, most states prohibit patients from accessing telehealth services from out‐​of‐​state clinicians unless those providers obtain licenses from the states where the patients reside. Many patients seeking the expertise of renowned out‐​of‐​state clinicians drive to “telemedicine parking lots” in states where the clinicians hold licenses to conduct telehealth visits. State licensing laws block interstate telehealth services, suppress providers and patients from using the technology, and infringe on patients’ rights to access telehealth. Dr. Shannon MacDonald is a radiation oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. State licensing laws have come between Dr. MacDonald and her patients needing follow‐​up care. She has joined with a medical colleague and New Jersey patients to sue the state of New Jersey, contending its health professional licensing laws are unconstitutional.Join Dr. MacDonald, her attorney Caleb Trotter of the Pacific Legal Foundation, and Anastasia P. Boden, the director of the Cato Institute’s Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, for a discussion of the issue and the lawsuit’s potential impact on professional licensing laws. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As health care prices skyrocket and debates over the future of treatment, and who ought to pay for it, once again take up the attention of Congress, Michael Cannon’s new book, Recovery: A Guide to Reforming the US Health Sector, provides a much‐​needed look into the challenges and opportunities for reform. Join Sphere Education Initiatives on February 15, 2024, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST via Zoom for “Recovery: Exploring Options for Health Care Reform” to hear from the author. Joining Cannon and providing critical commentary will be Len Nichols, nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute and professor emeritus at George Mason University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Educational freedom is gaining ground throughout the country. In 32 states plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, many families can use school choice programs to select the learning environment that works best for their children. At least ten states are on the path to offering universal or nearly universal access to these programs. But challenges remain, such as having an adequate supply of educational options and spreading awareness of those options. Please join us for a robust discussion with five education entrepreneurs who have created diverse learning options for their communities. They’ll share the stories behind their unique entities and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Three of them of are in universal choice states and can speak to how those programs are helping families. Attendees will come away with increased understanding of today’s education landscape and the wide variety of options that are available to meet students’ need. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent years have produced increasing attacks on the idea of free speech and significant doubts about the wisdom of its continued protection. From confusion about the nature of the First Amendment protection of speech, to misconceptions about the Supreme Court’s rulings on the issue, misinformation on free speech is rampant. World renowned legal scholar and free speech advocate Nadine Strossen’s new book, Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know, provides a timely and much needed response this confusion.The Cato Institute’s Sphere Education Initiatives is pleased to host Nadine Strossen in the Hayek Auditorium on November 6th from 1–2 pm EDT for a special book release event. Please join us in person or via online streaming video for this important conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part three of this year’s Summer with Sphere is coming to you live from Sphere Summit. Join us on Tuesday, July 25th from 2–3 pm EDT for a panel discussion on the most important issues in tech policy and regulation. Joining us will be Jennifer Huddleston, Technology Policy Research Fellow at the Cato Institute, Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and Director of the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings Institution, and Adam Thierer, Resident Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation at R Street. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The classroom can be a place of learning, wonder, and exploration of challenging ideas. Yet often the most engaging learning environments provide moments for difficult conversations. How can educators manage these tough topics in a way that promotes learning while navigating the challenges of the current education environment?Sphere Education Initiatives and Retro Report are pleased to invite you to this special, one‐​day professional development event on January 20 to tackle free speech issues and leave you empowered and equipped to engage in difficult conversations in your classroom. Held in person at the Cato Institute and streamed live online, this event will feature:Screenings of the latest Retro Report documentaries on free speech and artistic expressionConversation with the film’s producer and remarks from a leading free speech scholar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At its essence, shareholder capitalism is a means for mutually beneficial trade. It fosters specialization, fuels innovation, and propels economic growth. While shareholder capitalism is a central theme in Finance 101 courses, it is increasingly criticized, especially with the popularization of sustainability, ESG investing, and stakeholder capitalism.In this engaging new book, author David McLean, the William G. Droms Professor of Finance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, explains how shareholder capitalism benefits all. Edward Rock, the Martin Lipton Professor of Law at New York University School of Law and the codirector of the university’s Institute for Corporate Governance & Finance, will join McLean for a lively discussion on the nature of shareholder capitalism and its role in society. Norbert Michel, vice president and director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, will moderate the discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For nearly 30 years, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been the bedrock of the global trading system, serving as a negotiating forum for its 164 members, providing a system for resolving trade disputes, and acting as an essential clearinghouse for trade‐​related information. Over three‐​quarters of cross‐​border trade is carried out based on members’ WTO commitments, fostering an environment that has seen global trade soar from $5 trillion in 1995, the year of the WTO’s founding, to almost $25 trillion in 2022.Paradoxically, despite decades of success and the overwhelming benefits of trade for developed and developing countries alike, the WTO faces growing challenges and growing skepticism—particularly among US policymakers—regarding the benefits of globalization.It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Ngozi Okonjo‐​Iweala, director‐​general of the WTO, to the Cato Institute for a frank discussion on the threats facing both the WTO and globalization more broadly, as well as their implications for the global economy, developing countries, and the world’s most vulnerable people. Indeed, there may be no better person to discuss these topics than Okonjo‐​Iweala, given her current position at the WTO and her distinguished 40‐​year career as an economist, international development expert, Nigerian government official and finance expert. We’d be thrilled for you to join us for this important conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Republican Party is engaged in a more vigorous debate over foreign policy than it has been for decades. On one side is an old guard that sees no need to prioritize among threats, viewing all dangers as linked, so that facing down anything constitutes facing down everything. On the other side are the prioritizers, who have argued that America’s interests and its resources both have limits. They hold that the most prominent challenge to US interests is China and that Washington should prioritize the Indo‐​Pacific in its spending and planning.What, if anything, does history tell us about where the right and the GOP are headed on foreign policy? How big is the generational divide on this issue? Where do the leading presidential candidates stand, and what effect will that have on where the party heads? Join us as our panel of experts analyzes and discusses this issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many have expressed alarm over the rapid rise of cancel culture. The Canceling of the American Mind is the first book to codify it and survey its effects. Following the best‐​selling The Coddling of the American Mind, this new book looks at the topic with hard data and research on what cancel culture is and how it works, along with hundreds of new examples showing the left and the right both working to silence their enemies.Coauthor Greg Lukianoff will examine the often‐​undiscussed issues related to cancel culture and how its unprecedented scale will likely be studied years from now in the same way we study the Red Scare or the Alien and Sedition Acts. But rather than a moral panic, he argues that we should consider it a dysfunctional part of how Americans battle for power, status, and dominance. Cancel culture is just one symptom of a much larger problem: the use of cheap rhetorical tactics to “win” arguments without actually winning arguments. After all, why bother refuting your opponents when you can just take away their platform or career?The good news that The Canceling of the American Mind provides is that we can beat back this threat to liberal values and democracy through better citizenship. Lukianoff offers concrete steps toward reclaiming a culture of free speech that goes beyond mere legal protections. In so doing, we can all show intellectual humility and promote the essential American principles of individuality, resilience, and open mindedness.Please join us for a fascinating discussion of cancel culture, its impact on our society and politics, and what the free speech response should be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hong Kong rose from poverty to prosperity by adhering to the rule of law and safeguarding freedom of speech, property rights, free trade, and the whole range of personal and economic liberties that made the territory one of the freest places on Earth. As Beijing brazenly violated Hong Kongers’ basic rights and autonomy, media entrepreneur and democracy activist Jimmy Lai became one of the territory’s leading dissidents and an eloquent champion of human freedom. While Lai defended Hong Kong’s traditional liberties, the authorities shut down his popular newspaper, Apple Daily, and threw him in jail, where he awaits trial on trumped up national security charges that could result in life imprisonment.Join us for a screening of an Acton Institute documentary about how Lai’s remarkable struggle embodies Hong Kong’s spirit and about the greater implications of this contest between liberty and power. A brief discussion will follow the film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How free is your state? In the seventh edition of Freedom in the 50 States, authors Jason Sorens and William P. Ruger answer that question with the most comprehensive measure of governmental respect for economic and personal freedom at the state level. The 2023 edition presents a revised and updated ranking of each state and introduces many new policy variables and changes in the broader policy environment, including a retrospective evaluation of each state’s COVID-19 response as well as a refreshed analysis of how the policies driving income growth and interstate migration have changed. Join us for a discussion with the authors moderated by Erec Smith, research fellow at the Cato Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an era marked by contentiousness, rancor, and bitter divide, what role does or should civility play in our society? Further, how ought proper civility be understood and meaningfully differ from mere politeness? In her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, Alexandra Hudson addresses these insights with a refreshing exploration that digs deeply into the history of civility, its relevance for today, and the impact it can have on ourselves, our relationships, and our society.The Cato Institute’s Sphere Education Initiatives is pleased to host Alexandra Hudson in the Hayek Auditorium on December 4th from 12–1 pm EST for a special book release event. Please join us in person or via online streaming video for this important conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In their new book, We’ve Got You Covered: Rebooting American Health Care, economists Liran Einav (Stanford University) and John Bates Clark Medal winner Amy Finkelstein (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) note, “No one is actually uninsured.” They nevertheless critique the US health sector as “a sprawling yet arbitrary and inadequate mess.” Where many advocate piecemeal reform, Einav and Finkelstein urge policymakers to “tear it all down and rebuild.” They recommend that the government provide “automatic, basic, and free universal coverage for everyone.” Finkelstein will join Michael F. Cannon, Cato’s director of health policy studies, for a conversation about We’ve Got You Covered, the merits of incremental versus comprehensive change, and whether reform should involve greater or less government intervention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, the prospect for a larger regional conflict has loomed. The Biden administration has sent two carrier strike groups to the region to “serve as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and any other proxy across the region,” in the words of a senior defense official. At the same time, regional actors such as Iran have declared that they have “red lines” and that an Israeli ground campaign in Gaza would lead them and/​or their proxies to respond. Whether such actors targeted US troops in Iraq or Syria, or whether US troops entered the war in the event of an escalation, there is a real risk of the United States entering another war in the Middle East. Does the president have the authority to bring the United States into the war? What are the dangers of such a conflict for the United States? Please join our diverse panel of experts for an examination of these questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The arrival of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has captured the imagination of the public and policymakers. While often hailed as the newest new thing in many sectors, AI has been a core financial technology for decades. From market makers to consumer‐​facing fintechs, our financial markets both deploy and innovate cutting‐​edge AI.In 2023 alone, more than half a dozen US financial regulators have addressed AI through commentary or rulemaking, and the Biden administration’s October Executive Order on AI likely will have far‐​reaching implications for financial use cases. How regulators treat general‐​purpose AI will affect the future of finance, and how they treat financial AI will affect the future of technology broadly. Join us for an online panel exploring the policy implications of the financial AI developments on the horizon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pharmacists have sufficient training to autonomously prescribe medications to prevent or treat many medical conditions. But states generally require patients to obtain a doctor’s prescription before purchasing pharmaceuticals. This restriction drives up health care costs and unnecessarily inconveniences patients, often when they are in distress. Canadian provinces, by contrast, give pharmacists a wide scope for prescribing pharmaceuticals, as Ross Tsuyuki will discuss. Alex Adams will explain recent pharmacist scope of practice reform in Idaho, Colorado, and Montana; Marc Joffe will provide an overview of relevant federal and state policies; and Dr. Jeffrey Singer will offer policy recommendations that could improve the patient experience while reducing health care costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When commentators and politicians discuss misinformation, they often repeat five words: “fire in a crowded theater.” This outdated analogy, originally deployed to justify the conviction of an anti‐​draft pamphleteer, has taken on a life of its own as a catch‐​all justification for the regulation of false speech. Along with the other half‐​truths, exaggerations, lies, and falsehoods that law professor Jeff Kosseff examines in Liar in a Crowded Theater, this persistent, pernicious phrase illustrates the enduring difficulty of mandating truth.Kosseff addresses the pervasiveness of lies, the legal protections they enjoy, the harm they cause, and how to combat them. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, he argues that even though lies can inflict huge damage, US law should continue to protect them. Liar in a Crowded Theater explores both the history of protected falsehoods and where to go from here.Kosseff shows not only why courts are reluctant to be the arbiters of truth but also why they’re uniquely unsuited to that role. Rather than resorting to regulating speech and fining or jailing speakers, Kosseff proposes solutions that focus on minimizing the harms of misinformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In France, students in public schools are prohibited from wearing religious clothing, which authorities fear would contaminate the secular oases public schools are supposed to be. It is a coercive interpretation of secularism, which imposes secular values on religious individuals, instead of protecting state neutrality, pluralism, and liberty.Is education in the United States heading in the same direction? Religious symbols are fortunately not banned in American schools, but there is concern that secular values are imposed in other ways: the Montgomery County, Maryland, school district recently prohibited students, starting in kindergarten, from opting out of LGBTQ+ readings, including for religious reasons. Indeed, for some renowned public schooling advocates, replacing religiously based morality with other values through the state has been an explicit goal.In this forum, we will look at education in other parts of the world and the United States to see if the secular has pushed out the religious, whether that would be a good thing, and what to do if it isn’t. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Please join us for a cocktail reception and thought‐​provoking conversation with Cato Senior Fellow Johan Norberg, author of the new book The Capitalist Manifesto: Why the Free Market Will Save the World.Globalization has come under fire over the past two decades as the world has lived through an international financial crisis, terrorist attacks, a pandemic, and the return of war in Europe. Johan will discuss why, despite such turmoil, the free market has still made the past 20 years the best time in human history by almost any measure of well‐​being.Johan will examine why trade protectionism, industrial policy, and other proposals from the left and the right are mistakes that should not be repeated. The market, a system based on cooperation and exchange, still offers the best way to address and think about current issues, including the rise of China, the role of Big Tech, and inequality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Join Sphere Education Initiatives for an exclusive book release event for Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World on Wednesday, October 11th at 7:30 pm eastern. Hear from the author, Chelsea Follett, about these extraordinary cities, the impact they have had on advancing human progress, and learn about the key conditions that allowed for their success. Following the presentation will be an overview of classroom resources developed by Sphere alumnus, Sean Kinnard, for use in your classroom.In Centers of Progress: 40 Cities that Changed the World, Chelsea Follett examines a diverse group of cities, ranging from ancient Athens to Song‐​era Hangzhou. But some common themes stand out: most cities reach their creative peak during periods of peace; most centers of progress also thrive during times of social, intellectual, and economic freedom, as well as openness to intercultural exchange and trade; and centers of progress tend to be highly populated. Because, in every city, it is ultimately the people who live there who drive progress forward―if given the freedom to do so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disagreements over the necessity or wisdom of policies to advance economic equity have riven the country and Washington in recent years. Is equity a goal to be pursued by a vigorous policy agenda? Would doing so prove to be counterproductive? Debating this issue will be leading student debaters from the Washington Urban Debate League in Washington, DC, with an expert panel of judges from across the ideological spectrum offering feedback and insight.A project of the Cato Institute, Sphere Education Initiatives works with grades 5–12 educators and administrators to provide them with the knowledge, experience, professional development, and viewpoint‐​diverse resources to bring difficult conversations on the most pressing issues to the classroom and equip our country’s students to engage in civil discourse.The Washington Urban Debate League uses debate to make transformative educational opportunities available for students in the DC area. Peer‐​reviewed research shows that competitive debate is one of the best things a student can do with their out‐​of‐​school time, building lifelong and career‐​oriented skills that cannot be automated or outsourced. Debaters show more substantial academic and social‐​emotional growth and graduate and attend college at a higher rate than their non‐​debater peers.The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues is a national leader in the debate movement, preparing the next generation to lead and succeed. Through debate, students learn critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. They also discover their passion for learning and become empowered to succeed in the classroom. Our vision is that all youths graduate from high school as engaged civic leaders with expanded college and career opportunities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please join us for a thought‐​provoking evening with author and award‐​winning investigative reporter Matt Taibbi. Matt will discuss government suppression of speech, the significance of First Amendment principles, and why a free press is needed to preserve our democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please join us for a thought‐​provoking evening with author and award‐​winning investigative reporter Matt Taibbi. Matt will discuss government suppression of speech, the significance of First Amendment principles, and why a free press is needed to preserve our democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health care in the United States is not a free market. In many ways, U.S. residents are less free to make their own health decisions than residents of other nations. State and federal governments subsidize low‐​quality medical care and penalize high‐​quality care. They block innovations that would otherwise reduce medical prices. The harms are so wide‐​reaching, the way Congress funds veterans benefits even increases the likelihood of war. In his new book Recovery: A Guide to Reforming the U.S. Health Sector, Michael Cannon exposes the barriers that government places in the way of better, more affordable, and more secure health care. Recovery explores how making health care as universal as possible requires dismantling these obstacles. Please join us for a discussion with the author and a panel of experts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are states rational? Much of international relations theory assumes that they are. But many scholars believe that political leaders rarely act rationally. John J. Mearsheimer will argue that rational decisions in international politics rest on credible theories about how the world works and emerge from deliberative decisionmaking processes. Using these criteria, he will describe how most states are rational most of the time, even if they are not always successful, and will discuss implications for formulating foreign policy. Join Mearsheimer and Ashley Tellis, a scholar with extensive policy experience, for a discussion of whether states behave rationally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is no question that certain places, at certain times in history, have contributed disproportionately toward making the world a better place. In this book forum, Chelsea Follett will discuss her debut book that tells the story of 40 of those places, ranging in diversity from ancient Athens to Song‐​era Hangzhou to post–World War II New York. She will note some common themes that have emerged, including that most cities reach their creative peak during periods of peace, tend to be highly populated, and thrive during times of social, intellectual, and economic freedom, as well as openness to intercultural exchange. Noting that change is a constant, but progress is not, she suggests in her book that studying the past can teach us about fostering innovation in the present. Jack Goldstone will provide insights into the historical causes of progress and prosperity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Globalization has come under fire over the past two decades as the world has lived through an international financial crisis, terrorist attacks, a pandemic, and the return of war in Europe. Johan Norberg will explain why, despite such turmoil, the free market has still made the past 20 years the best time in human history by almost any measure of well‐​being. He will discuss why trade protectionism, industrial policy, and other proposals from the left and the right are mistakes that should not be repeated. The market, a system based on cooperation and exchange, still offers the best way to address and think about current issues, including the rise of China, the role of Big Tech, and inequality. Chris Griswold will provide a critique of markets from a conservative perspective and suggest policies to limit globalization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The American national security state—and its accumulated millions of pages of classified records—has become a fixture of our political, social, and cultural life. Yet prior to World War I, the United States had no systematized government classification system, and its actual defense and foreign policy–related secrets were few. That changed with the United States’ entry into World War I, when through legislation and regulatory policy, the Wilson administration created the forerunners of the modern U.S. intelligence community. The secret electronic and human surveillance techniques and processes that started under President Woodrow Wilson mushroomed in scale during and after World War II.Defenders of the current secrecy system claim it is vital to the safety of Americans at home and abroad. But what does the actual history of the past 100 years show? Have the FBI, CIA, NSA, and other federal agencies and departments truly used secrecy to protect us or instead to keep knowledge of their own misdeeds from us, or both? How many classified documents are there, and does anybody really know? How much of our own history is being kept from us, and how much of it is likely to ever see the light of day? Join us as our expert panel delves into these and related issues. 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.

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

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

Six months after the high‐​profile failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives will host Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Vice Chairman Travis Hill to discuss the state of banking and economic conditions, recent regulatory actions, and the outlook for banks and bank regulators. Following his remarks, Hill will take questions in a moderated discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Center for Health Statistics reported that more than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2021. More than three‐​quarters of overdose deaths involved opioids. Recent research estimates the number of adults living with opioid use disorder (OUD) ranges from 6.7 million to 7.6 million. These estimates suggest that 1–2 of every 100 U.S. residents has OUD.In the United States, federal and state laws require people with OUD who seek treatment with methadone to travel to government‐​approved opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which limits access to methadone treatment. Increasing access to OUD treatment would reduce the number of people who seek drugs in the dangerous black market and, in turn, reduce the risk and incidence of overdose deaths.Please join our distinguished panel to discuss ways to reform current methadone laws to destigmatize people with OUD, respect their humanity, and improve their access to methadone treatment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the past few years, a new intellectual trend has appeared among America’s Christian conservatives: “post‐​liberalism.” Its pioneers include a handful of Catholic scholars called “integralists”—who want to integrate the state and religion—and other public figures known as “national conservatives.” These post‐​liberals blame some social ills and social change that they see as problematic on the classical liberal tradition that constitutes the very founding principles of the United States: individual liberty, religious freedom, free markets, and separation of church and state. Kevin Vallier will critique post‐​liberals using insights partly drawn from Catholic theology and explain why a reintegration of state and religion is good for neither the state, nor religion, nor liberty. Mustafa Akyol and Mark Tooley will share their thoughts on liberalism from Islamic and Protestant perspectives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.