Cato Podcast

In many contexts, some policy entrepreneurs have replaced the near-universal value of equality before the law with a far more nebulous "equity." Wen Fa, attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, explains the distinction and its implications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economists often love to point out the inefficiency of giving gifts in lieu of cash. Economist Tony Gill revisits the idea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the FDA characterizes aging plays a large role in how the agency looks at drugs to mitigate or reserve the aging process. Economist Arthur Diamond comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are a range of risks associated with the increased militarization at the U.S. border. Economist Nathan Goodman offers details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's an accident of history that predates modern health insurance and is roughly as old as the income tax itself, and yet it's mangled our health care system in America. Michael Cannon says it's well past time to eliminate it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a legal fight for seven years. A secretive IRS database detailing the size and scope of federal civil forfeiture will finally receive outside scrutiny. Kathy Sanchez, a researcher at the Institute for Justice, explains what they might find. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As lawmakers and the Federal Reserve discuss a potential central bank digital currency, just remember that your privacy is on the table. Will Luther comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black Liberation through the Marketplace details some of the work necessary to begin to make good on the promises of property rights, freedom of contract, and the protection of the rule of law for all Americans, most especially those Americans to whom those promises have not been delivered. Rachel Ferguson is the book's coauthor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cities have a role to play when it comes to insuring against the high legal costs of police misconduct. Patrick Tuohey of the Better Cities Project details some ways that local governments can begin to reassert control. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are too many points at which agents of the state may veto new enterprises or exchanges. How should lawmakers approach the problem with an eye toward expanding liberty? Will Rinehart with the Center for Growth and Opportunity comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you're fined by the feds, the public treasury should get the money. But a practice common during the Obama years has been revived by President Biden: Allow companies to settle for less if they agree to fund pet causes of the administration. Will Yeatman comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of devastating Covid lockdowns, young and educated Chinese elites are looking for the exits. The U.S. should make it easier for them to escape. Alex Nowrasteh explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between trade restrictions and domestic regulatory hurdles, the supply crunch for baby formula in the U.S. has well-known causes. Gabriella Beaumont-Smith discusses how we got here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The politics of inflation are not all that complicated. The incentive for political actors remains to reward constituencies to enhance electoral prospects. Scott Lincicome details how the Biden Administration could, but probably won't act on inflation.Related content:“Is President Biden Trying to Boost Inflation?” by Scott Lincicome, The Dispatch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Landowners are often victims of wildlife conservation efforts rather than partners in the process. Megan Jenkins of the Center for Growth and Opportunity believes that can change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a case to be made for universal basic income as a tool to get more brainpower off the sidelines? Economist Otto Lehto believes so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Compelling your fellow Americans to go to the polls (or else) has several downsides. Walter Olson explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Theroux discusses her documentary, Beyond Homeless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The SEC's longstanding rule that gags those who settle with the agency now faces a court challenge. The Cato Institute and others have filed a brief in the case. Will Yeatman and Jennifer Schulp discuss the challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the big takeaway from a leaked draft (not final) draft opinion of a Supreme Court justice? Walter Olson comments on the substance of the violation in protocol at the High Court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden are listening, Paul Matkzo has some lessons from history that might be instructive in proper responses to the war for Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Expensive inputs are critical to the development of new oil and gas supplies. The Biden White House is maintaining artificially high prices for some of those inputs. Gabriella Beaumont-Smith explores the issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About half of the businesses in the U.S. are based in homes. Why do local governments actively work against them? Chris Edwards explains.Related:"Deregulate Home Food Businesses" by Chris Edwards, Cato at Liberty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content moderation poses a huge challenge for even the best-run social media platforms. Add to that challenge the vitriol and handwringing associated with Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter. Will Duffield comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How has the Muslim world reacted to Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Mustafa Akyol comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The propaganda machine in Russia has been working overtime to sell its war in Ukraine as just and necessary. Will Duffield analyzes why this effort has failed so remarkably while other efforts have succeeded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has Modern Monetary Theory weathered the historic inflation we face today? Economist Jeremy Horpedahl comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Federal Reserve appears late to the inflation fight. How much grace is due them? Economist Will Luther makes his case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Texas wants to treat social media companies as common carriers, but their arguments to support their imposition don't hold water. Tommy Berry explains why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Congress wants to hold the Federal Reserve accountable, why not narrow the Fed's mandate? Economist Alexander William Salter explains the upside. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The President would like to expand debt forgiveness from the federal government. Neal McCluskey says the arguments for handing a massive windfall to former college students don't hold up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Securities and Exchange Commission proposes to compel public firms to make a broad range of disclosures related to climate change. Jennifer Schulp details why the massive rule now under consideration looks a tad hasty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer Bari Weiss discusses optimism about the future of media and academia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leadership in Pakistan has again changed amid charges of U.S. meddling there. What are the prospects for U.S. relations there? Sahar Khan comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to move a malicious prosecution claim forward? The Supreme Court tackled that question last week. Jay Schweikert explains what they decided. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owning ourselves means having the right and power to medicate ourselves as we choose. That's not the story of modern medicine. Jeff Singer discusses his new article in Reason, "Against Scientific Gatekeeping." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting a sense of the FBI's handling of its agents' misconduct has occupied a lot of Patrick Eddington's time the last two years. Earlier this year, the agency has begun providing some of the requested documents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's immigration restrictions helped lay the groundwork for employers' current labor woes. Joe Biden has done precious little to fix it. David Bier explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team in charge of the Federal Trade Commission appear to have very different ideas about what should guide the agency's actions. Duke economist Michael Munger discusses why the "consumer welfare" standard for antitrust action is on the ropes and what it means for a free economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The poverty rate in the United States is generally unmoved in recent years despite many trillions of dollars in spending. Creighton University economist Colin O'Reilly says there's a better way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Nowrasteh is coauthor of "Immigrant and Native Consumption of Means-Tested Welfare and Entitlement Benefits in 2019." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happened to the jury trial, something considered essential to the Founders' vision for a criminal justice system? Dan Canon traces the slow death of the American jury trial in Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who should and shouldn't send weapons to Ukraine? What weapon transfers should be viewed as provocation of war? What tends to happen after weapons transfers? Cato's Jordan Cohen discusses the ins and outs of weapons transfers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you like business investment and the innovation that comes with it, Joe Biden's plan to tax certain unrealized capital gains makes no sense. Chris Edwards explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colleen Hroncich is author of the new Cato paper, "Universal Preschool: Lawmakers Should Approach with Caution." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Senate will now consider what it knows and has heard about the record of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson before a vote on her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Tommy Berry and Jay Schweikert discuss the most important parts of the hearings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Putting an end to poverty means prioritizing the dignity of the individuals involved. Matt Warner is coauthor of the new book, Development with Dignity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

School choice had a big year in 2021, but 2022 is different, and a particular faction of the school choice movement is clearly winning. That troubles Chris Stewart, CEO of Brightbeam. We discussed the culture war fights now taking center stage in state legislatures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cato Institute senior fellow Tom Palmer is on the ground in Poland and Ukraine. We discussed the broad liberty movement's role in providing humanitarian aid and the collectivism animating Vladimir Putin's aggression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The less-than-warm welcome by the United States for refugees fleeing Ukraine again highlights the lackluster immigration policy of President Biden. David Bier details the issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.