Cato Podcast

In Modern Libertarianism, the new book from Libertarianism.org, Brian Doherty details the people and groups that defined libertarian thinking and advocacy in the 20th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The popular narrative that American workers' job prospects improve when illegal immigrants are deported deserves more scrutiny. Scott Lincicome explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When police lean on medical professionals to violate their oaths, there is good news about how seriously those professionals take that pledge. Jeff Singer and Mike Fox comment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are many examples of governments using racial categories in nefarious ways, and the upside for cataloging people by race seems vanishingly small. Cato's John Early explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Eddington details some of the missed opportunities and looming issues relating to President Trump's executive order on firearms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The feds want millions of businesses and other corporations to turn over sensitive information so they can snoop for evidence of crimes. It’s an affront to financial privacy, anonymous association, and other liberties. The requirement is laid out in the Corporate Transparency Act, now the subject of litgation at the Fifth Circuit. Caleb Kruckenberg represents the Texas Top Cop Shop and others in the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawmakers wouldn't truly change current federal fentanyl policy with the HALT Fentanyl Act; they'd simply continue a framework that has failed over the past seven years to stop sellers of illicit fentanyl from meeting market demand. Jeff Singer explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immigrants consumed 21 percent less welfare and entitlement benefits than native-born Americans on a per capita basis in 2022. Alex Nowrasteh explains why in a new paper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department of Government Efficency, such as it is, can't really do much to cut government without Congressional approval. Gene Healy discusses what a more serious approach to spending and regulatory reform will have to entail.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of what is implicated by President Trump's executive orders in the realm of education simply can't happen without Congress. Neal McCluskey breaks down what's in them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's hard to function without a bank account, which is why "debanking" disfavored people and groups works so well. Nicholas Anthony explains how the feds encourage it, and how it can be used to punish ideological opponents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The long and winding supply chains inherent in auto manufacturing face signifcant threats from presidentially imposed tariffs. Reporter Christopher Otts at The Wall Street Journal discusses the impact on car prices and manufacturers decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The American housing crunch demands some state-level legislative reform. Christian Britschgi of Reason identifies a few bright spots in state efforts to get government out of the way of housing creation.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even the credible threat of a tariff can make businesses rethink their currently profitable trading relationships. Brian Albrecht of the International Center for Law & Economics evaluates the current tariff threats and how it may impact business decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The difference between prostitution and sex trafficking should be clear, but thinking among law enforcement and lawmakers seems to blur the distinction at every turn. Elizabeth Nolan Brown of Reason details the implications of Commonwealth v. Garafalo, a case in Massachusetts that may ultimately define all sex work as sex trafficking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The EPA routinely uses punitive regulation on local water systems, and the costs are sometimes crippling for local governments. The benefits are less than clear. The Manhattan Institute's Judge Glock makes a case for ending federal control over municipal water systems just as a new fight over water fluoridation is set to emerge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House is asserting the ability to defy longstanding legal and constitutional rules. It's almost certainly not an accident. Walter Olson comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Financial regulation comes in many forms, and freeing Americans from the most pernicious ones should be a high priority for Congress. Jennifer Schulp and Norbert Michel explain where to start.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drugs like Ozempic show potential to help those with addiction with little downside risk. How quickly can their availability be expanded? Nicholas Reville of CASPR makes his case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a Christian theology consistent with liberal values and institutions look like? Jonathan Rauch suggests something has gone wrong in communities of faith in the US, and hopes for a reckoning in Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are a libertarian, odds are good that you started with a particular writer or thinker. Political philosopher Matt Zwolinski suggests you read more broadly before committing yourself to one particular vision for libertarian society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Facebook roll over for the Trump administration? Content moderation at scale is incredibly difficult, and the company will be criticized no matter what it does. David Inserra and John Samples discuss the state of play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Republicans often talk tough when it comes to illegal immigration, but dramatically reducing legal immigration is key to the Trump agenda, and that fact makes the oft-repeated "just immigrate legally" canard fall apart. David Bier explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are multiple ways to end the Department of Education. The method chosen matters. Neal McCluskey explains why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Trump threats aimed at Canada and Denmark (over Greenland) anything more than bluster? Cato's Doug Bandow and Clark Packard talk about the implications for trade and foreign relations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Presidents past and present have abused the constitutional pardon power, but the abuses of that power in just the last week by Presidents Biden and Trump should get special scrutiny. Clark Neily explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The three delivery systems for nuclear weapons deserve a reassessment. Eric Gomez explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the US presidency be replaced with a prime minister? Adam Gurri of Liberal Currents entertains the idea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court today said it will allow a federal order for TikTok to end its availability in the US. Cato’s Tommy Berry and David Inserra evaluate the court's opinion and detail possible repercussions for tech and free speech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

California wildfires are not yet fully contained, and the policy choices that led to the death and destruction deserve examination. Cato's Ryan Bourne and Steve Slivinski break down how California can improve as it rebuilds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The divest-or-ban order deadline for the social media app, TikTok, is just days away. SCOTUS may weigh in at any time. Jennifer Huddleston and Tommy Berry evaluate the oral argument. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As state legislatures get back to work, where are the best opportunities for getting government out of the way of civil society? Steve Slivinski has a rundown.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will spending by 'dark money' groups face more restrictions from Congress? Luke Wachob of People United for Privacy believes it may depend on how politically threatened incumbents feel by that kind of speech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your lack of wealth shouldn't limit your investment options, but the SEC has for decades actively prevented lower-wealth Americans from making certain investments. Nick Morgan of the Investor Choice Advocates Network and Cato's Jennifer Schulp explain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The housing market needs less government intervention, both in terms of zoning and building codes that add enormously to construction costs. Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump said that his political rivals should be prosecuted. Now, his appointees will head the Justice Department and other federal law enforcement agencies. Clark Neily discusses the potential turnabout in the use of federal law enforcement’s coercive tactics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A little-noted federal law – currently on hold – dramatically expands government surveillance of millions of Americans by requiring tens of millions of businesses to collect and send specific data about the businesses' beneficiaries. Jennifer Schulp and Brent Skorup comment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hayek's The Constitution of Liberty is worth revisiting in part because of its call for a liberalism that takes seriously the contributions of fields well beyond economics. Paul Meany explains why that's important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Hasnas says the common law has a lot to recommend it over lawmaker legislating. He makes his case in Common Law Liberalism: A New Theory of the Libertarian Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who controls currently federal lands can tell us quite a bit about how wildfire risks are likely to be managed. Hannah Down of the Property and Environment Research Center comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the middle ground between local zoning tyrannies and state preemption? Mark Miller of the Pacific Legal Foundation discusses ways to expand housing production amid restrictionist local zoning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flavored e-cigarettes are a popular whipping boy for would-be regulators. Jeff Singer explains why it's terrible policy to punish would-be former smokers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Downtowns built 100 years ago are still viable, so why are they so hard to build today? Andrew Cline is president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy. We talked about what's instructive about the changes in New Hampshire's zoning rules that have left so many towns unable to renew themselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The history of government control over how and where people live is told in Nowhere to Live: The Hidden Story of America's Housing Crisis. Jim Burling is the book's author. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The major questions doctrine from the Supreme Court places some limits on the kinds of questions the executive branch can handle alone. Are there similar "too large" delegations at the state level? Adi Dynar of the Pacific Legal Foundation comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Human Freedom Index is now in its tenth year. What have we learned about the state of and trends in human freedom? Author Ian Vasquez explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How would states respond to the threat posed by central bank digital currency? Niklas Kleinworth of the Idaho Freedom Foundation has considered how states have and should respond to the looming possibility of a federal CBDC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Federal courts won't be deferring to federal agencies as often going forward. How does that change Congress's need for expertise when legislating? Joe Luppino-Esposito of the Pacific Legal Foundation has a few ideas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been tasked with identifying regulatory and spending reforms to shrink government. The new report for the informal agency from the Cato Institute identifies trillions in spending cuts and other reforms. Cato’s Alex Nowrasteh and Ryan Bourne detail the substantial spending and regulatory cuts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

States with certificate of need laws, where incumbent firms get to shut down their would-be competitors' plans, had more difficulties handling the pandemic. Jaimie Cavanaugh of the Pacific Legal Foundation explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.