Cato Podcast

For many Americans, it is jarring to find themselves subject to severe financial, reputational, and professional penalties in adjudications very different from a courtroom. Brent Skorup explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The CFPB has long been controversial. Its unique structure makes it powerful in ways other agencies are not. Jennifer Schulp and Tommy Berry detail the recent Supreme Court holding that the agency's funding doesn't violate the Appropriations Clause. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arguments on behalf of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) don't stand up to scrutiny. Nicholas Anthony runs down and interrogates the arguments in his new book, Digital Currency or Digital Control?: Decoding CBDC and the Future of Money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between the needless complications of the tax code and various special-interest giveaways in it, overall tax rates are higher than they could be otherwise. Adam Michel explains in a new paper what would be required for Congress to lower overall rates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new executive order from President Joe Biden will make seeking asylum in The Land of the Free that much more difficult. David Bier explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conviction of the President's son, Hunter Biden, on charges relating to lying about drugs to get a gun makes for an interesting case for those who care about Second Amendment rights and ending the War on Drugs. Clark Neily comments on the case, appeals, and the broader justice system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Boaz was an intellectual leader of the Cato Institute for four decades and a libertarian thinker of the first order. In addition to his speeches, books, and clear-headed communication of libertarian ideas in the public sphere, David was a friend and mentor. David passed away on June 7, 2024. Aaron Ross Powell, founding director of Libertarianism.org, and Cato Senior Fellow Tom G. Palmer discuss the work and legacy of David Boaz.Related:The Libertarian Mind by David BoazThe Libertarian Reader edited by David Boaz“David Boaz: Liberty’s North Star” by Aaron Ross Powell“David Boaz Is with Us” by Tom G. Palmer“The Separation of Art and State” by David BoazThe Crisis in Drug Prohibition edited by David Boaz“David Boaz: ‘Now It’s Your Turn’” featuring David Boaz and Caleb O. Brown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Boaz, longtime executive vice president of the Cato Institute, has passed away at the age of 70. His contributions to the advance of libertarian ideas in the public sphere are hard to overestimate. These are his remarks at the Students for Liberty LibertyCon in February.David Boaz Memorial Page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following his related testimony on Capitol Hill, Cato's Adam Michel details why Congress should move toward ending a wide variety of penalties aimed squarely at Americans who save. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slowing or freezing technological advancement could be devastating for the many benefits that artificial intelligence can bring to a wide variety of problems we face. Jack Solowey and Jennifer Huddleston explain what's at stake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Presidents of both parties have been handed – decade over decade – a growing list of powers to be only unlocked in the event of an emergency, but those powers rarely get reviewed on a consistent basis. What's a better path for handing over and taking back emergency power? Satya Thallam of Americans for Responsible Innovation comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serving the underserved is a well-established path to profits for entrepreneurs and acceptance for minority populations. Economist Nathan Goodman explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former President Donald Trump has been convicted on felony charges of falsifying business records to conceal crimes. Cato's Clark Neily discusses the trial in the context of how criminal prosecutions work generally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social mobility means helping people improve their prospects for creating and building long-term wealth. What stands in the way? The Archbridge Institute's Gonzalo Schwarz discusses what he's learned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Congress take steps to ban certain foreign-made drones that, despite being owned and used by Americans in a wide variety of helpful ways, could be sending sensitive data to antagonistic foreign governments? Will Duffield discusses the state of play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two notably illiberal politicians headlined at the Libertarian Party's convention over the weekend. What does it reveal about the brand of libertarianism advanced by the LP? Aaron Steelman and Andy Craig comment.Related: “Trump is hardly libertarian. But neither is today’s Libertarian Party.” By Peter Goettler, The Washington Post, May 23, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will a new president in Taiwan mean a greater focus on defending against a potential Chinese attack? Eric Gomez comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much US land receives Fourth Amendment protections under the so-called "Open Fields Doctrine"? Authors Joshua Windham and David Warren explore that issue in a new article in Regulation Magazine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the government prove you shouldn't be allowed to immigrate, or should individuals have to prove that they should be allowed to immigrate? A century ago today, immigration policy shifted from the former to the latter. David Bier explains how the change has implicated Americans’ rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The notion that there can ever be a "level playing field" between decentralized, private cryptocurrencies and state-issued ones is entirely wrong. Nick Anthony explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The contours of freedom advanced in The Subjection of Women apply to us all. The influence of his wife, Harriet Taylor Mill, in the work’s final form is hard to miss. That is in part why the essay remains a favorite of Libertarianism.org's Grant Babcock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Humility is a good starting point for lawmakers seeing to understand content moderation. David Inserra offers a helpful guide to policymakers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Meany of Libertarianism.org walks us through the importance of John Stuart Mill through his powerful treatise On Liberty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of protests at many universities over the Israeli war in Gaza, what's the role for Congress to regulate? Unsurprisingly, it's not much. Cato's Neal McCluskey and Nico Perrino of FIRE comment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In David Beckworth's essay in The War on Prices, he explains what must be true for narratives of a pandemic-driven inflation to be true. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US wage gap between men and women consistently drives calls for deep federal intervention into the labor market in the name of preventing discrimination. Analyzing that gap more critically reveals far less clarity about its causes and potential solutions. Vanessa Brown Calder explains in her essay in the new book, The War on Prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rent control doesn't make housing more affordable. It makes affordable housing less available. Jeff Miron explains in his essay in the new book, The War on Prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are the prices men and women pay for similar products evidence of discrimination that calls for a heavy-handed government response? Ryan Bourne is editor of the new Cato book, The War on Prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the marginally creditworthy, mandatory interest rate caps on credit cards would end access to a convenient form of credit. Nick Anthony discusses his essay in Cato's new book, The War on Prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not exactly a silver lining, but data from the pandemic has some lessons in it about the effectiveness of price gouging laws. Gavin Roberts, an economist at Weber State University, discusses his findings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As smaller local newspapers continue to shrink, what's the potential for AI to help deliver local news to happy customers? Paul Matzko makes his hopeful case to foster a better-informed public. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European leaders think very differently than US officials about China, both as a rising economic power and a military threat. Doug Bandow discusses why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ideological commitments shouldn't harm your ability to receive medical treatment. Erec Smith and Jeff Singer discuss a troubling evolution in how medical education is delivered in the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There aren't big, glaring differences between Trump and Biden on giving Americans maximum freedom to trade across the globe, but the style of the candidates' protectionism differs somewhat. Scott Lincicome explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medicare represents a massive fraction of the federal budget, and its spending is effectively on autopilot. That needs to change sooner than later. Paragon Health Institute chief Brian Blase and Cato's Michael Cannon comment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New regulations under consideration would hold financial advisors accountable to elements of the Bank Secrecy Act, which currently compels banks to turn over certain financial data to the feds. How would that change your relationship with that advisor? Jennifer Schulp comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The DEA is likely to change its federal designation for cannabis in the coming months. It's a good sign for research and for the ability of Americans to receive medical treatments involving the plant, but descheduling and ending federal prohibition is still a worthy goal. Jeff Singer explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How productive is federal spending to advance early childhood education? Following her testimony on Capitol Hill, Cato's Colleen Hroncich says there are several problems with the assumptions about its benefits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the case of Peru have to teach us about state capacity to foster (or hamper) human flourishing? Edwar Escalante of Angelo State University discusses the upsides and downsides of increasing state capacity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Heroes Act was insufficient authority for the President to cancel massive amounts of student debt. The Biden White House has instead been moving to cancel (transfer) smaller amounts of student debt using different executive authority. Neal McCluskey explains the issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former President Trump's lawyers argued before the US Supreme Court that the President ought to be broadly immune against misdeeds committed in office, even many that are clearly criminal. The Supreme Court is now weighing where to draw the lines both for this former President and future former Presidents. Clark Neily discusses the oral argument at the high court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economics is everywhere, and its implications are subtle and beautiful. The essays in Art Carden's book, Strangers with Candy, uses both economic and biblical insight to show how welcoming strangers can make us both better and wealthier people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a point when Cato's Patrick Eddington believed warrantless snooping on Americans might be on the wane. He was very wrong. Congress instead voted to continue unconstitutional surveillance of Americans for at least two more years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North Carolina's pursuit of VinFast to make electric vehicles in the state has placed dozens of homeowners in a difficult spot. Paul Best explains how economic development ran headlong into homeowners' property rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are two avenues to fixing a big issue with federal appointments, that of individuals not confirmed by Congress nonetheless wielding significant federal power. Tommy Berry explains the problem and the solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Housing plays a large role in growing wealth for Americans, but it remains an area where economist Jeremy Horpedahl is pessimistic for the near term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Federal budget deficits are projected to remain alarmingly high for many years to come, but as Cato's Ryan Bourne notes, things that can't go on ... don't. His new paper on debt, spending, and fiscal crisis is available today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When countries impose tariffs, that begins a chain reaction that frequently doesn't end in the outcomes preferred by tariff advocates. Erica York of the Tax Foundation separates fact from fiction on tariffs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bitcoin miners are under the microscope for what some call "parasitic" consumption of energy, but is distaste for some consumers of electricy enough to make it harder for them to buy it? Cato's Nick Anthony and Travis Fisher explain the implications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Income taxes are on pace to increase on virtually all Americans in 2026. Cato's Adam Michel has some reforms in mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.