Free Thoughts

Everyone has their own moral judgements and in many cases they can be and are misapplied. Jason Brennan explains how his new book When All Else Fails is not a call to resist all governments, but more of an exposure to how we apply our moral judgements unequally.What is the rule of self defense? Is it okay to act in self-defense against a government agent? If your government is illegitimate, is it virtuous to resist? What is the moral parity thesis? What is the difference between authority and legitimacy?Further Reading:When All Else Fails: The Ethics of Resistance to State Injustice, written by Jason BrennanThe Ethics of Killing in War, written by Jeff McMahanAgainst Democracy, written by Jason BrennanRelated Content:A Moral Pluralist Case for Libertarianism, written Jason BrennanAgainst Democracy, Free Thoughts PodcastDo We Have a Duty to Obey the Government?, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human Progress is not linear. The curve of human progress is a jagged one. Many of us are convinced that the world is worse, but as Tupy explains, that is due to one of our many biases. It seems as though our memory of bad events outweighs our memory of all the good we see on a daily basis. For example, what took you 60 minutes of work to buy in 1980 took only 21 minutes of work to buy in 2017.What is the goal of humanprogess.org? Why do we notice bad occurrences throughout our lives more than good ones? What is negativity bias? Why is everyone so convinced that the world is getting worse if that is not what the statistics show?Further Reading:Human Progress websiteSimon Abundance IndexThe Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, written by Steven PinkerRelated Content:The State of Humanity: Steadily Improving, written by Julian L. SimonThe Reality of Moral Progress, written by David BoazProgress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zywicki starts off by simply explaining what a bank is and what it does. It is surprising how many people don’t actually know what their bank does for them. Early in life you are a borrower in order to buy a house or a car, later in life you become a lender to that same bank. Unfortunately, there has been so much regulation in the American banking system that there is no room for innovation which caused the phase out of mom & pop neighborhood banks.What is a bank? What is Glass-Steagall? How much risk should banks take? How should a regulator address our bank system? What is a money-market fund? What is Dodd-Frank and did it get rid of bail outs?Related Content:Public Choice Concepts and Applications in Law (American Casebook Series), written by Maxwell Stearns and Todd ZywickiThe Law and Economics of Consumer Debt Collection and Its Regulation, written by Todd ZywickiThe Big, Fat Fed Has Diet Problems, written by George Selgin“The Newsroom”: Season 1, Episode 6: Bullies, HBO SeriesFurther Reading:The Specter of Wall Street, Free Thoughts PodcastGoing for Broke: Deficits, Debt, and the Entitlement Crisis, Free Thoughts PodcastIs Bankruptcy Law Bankrupt?, written by William H. Meckling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Bourne joins us today to discuss the intricate hardships that the poor in the United States are experiencing. Some suggest that the United States should raise the national minimum wage, thinking that will solve some issues of the impoverished. Others believe that the poor have different buying and spending habits than the rest of the population.What do poor people spend a majority of their money on? How does regulation of services actually hurt the poor? How does coning affect housing prices? Should we raise the minimum wage to a ‘living wage’?Further Reading:Government and the Cost of Living: Income-Based vs. Cost-Based Approaches to Alleviating Poverty, written by Ryan BourneThe Regressive Effects of Child-Care Regulations, written by Ryan Bourne in Regulation MagazineRelated Content:Bringing Wealth to the Poor (with Michael Tanner), Free Thoughts PodcastLibertarianism and the Poor, written by Matt ZwolinskiPeople, Not Ratios: Why the Debate Over Income Inequality Asks the Wrong Questions, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Tanner joins us for a well-rounded conversation about what drives poverty in the U.S. including; felony convictions, lack of education, and housing policies. Tanner claims that in the U.S. there is no rational design behind our welfare programs, and that it is a conglomerate of special interests. The poorest Americans are among the wealthiest in the world, but that doesn’t mean that poverty does not exist in the U.S.How does the right and left vary on their ideas about how to alleviate the poor? How do incentives play into their rationale? Is there a racial aspect to how people view the welfare sate? Does redistribution of money work? How much does having a felony conviction diminish your earning potential? How does housing policy affect poverty?Further Reading:The Inclusive Economy: How to Bring Wealth to America’s Poor, written by Michael D. TannerThe Many Reasons to Be Thankful, written by Michael D. Tannerhttps://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/many-reasons-be-thankfulGlobalization’s Great Triumph: The Death of Extreme Poverty, written by Johan NorbergMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, written by Sam McLeodDon’t Muddy the Waters on Falling Global Poverty, written by Ryan BourneRelated Content:Libertarians and the Poor, Free Thoughts PodcastThe Libertarian Case for Basic Income, written by Matt ZwolinskiWealth, Poverty and Politics: An International Perspective, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The newest addition to the libertarianism.org editorial staff, Steve Horwitz, joins us to debunk some global myths about economics. We dive into how good economics is about tracing out the patterns of unintended consequences that emerge from the choices individuals make in the face of uncertainty and based on the information and incentives created by the price system.Are people interested in economics? Is economics rooted in individual choice? What was the study of economics prior to 1920? What does “constrained optimization” mean? What are the biggest global myths about economics? Should we worry about the increase in economic inequality?Further Reading:WTF?!: An Economic Tour of the Weird, written by Peter LeesonHuman Progress WebsiteMicrofoundations and Macroeconomics: An Austrian Perspective, written by Steven HorwitzRelated Content:The False Feminist Economics Methodenstreit: Competition versus Cooperation, written by Mikayla NovakThe Austrian Tradition in Economics, Free Thoughts Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trevor Thrall and Emma Ashford from Power Problems Podcast join us to discuss the nuance differences between isolationists, non-interventionists, and pragmatic realists. When it comes to foreign policy, the way U.S. officials make decisions is largely based off the fact that the United States maintains and all-volunteer military. This military is the most powerful in the world, considering the U.S. spends more on defense than the next seven countries combined. There are many reasons for this, but at the forefront is the American desire to remain #1 or the superpower in the eyes of the rest of the world. What is the difference between an isolationist and a pragmatic realist? When do policymakers decide when intervention is necessary? What are real threats? What is John Bolton’s philosophy on foreign affairs? What is the main role of our military? Do we have an obligation to keep America safe, but not all humans safe? Are U.S. policymakers only responsible for Americans? Or the entire Western world? What is the interplay between technology, news, public opinion, and military strategy? Is joining the military the only way to serve your country? Further Reading:Power Problems, by the Cato InstituteThe Future of Conservative Foreign Policy, Power Problems PodcastThe Hell of Good Intentions: America’s Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy, written by Stephen WaltPsychology of a Superpower: Security and Dominance in U.S. Foreign Policy, written by Christopher J. FettweisRelated Content:Is America the Most Fearful Country in the World?, written by Natalie DowzickyWhen is it appropriate to go to War?, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton is a judge for the United States Court of Appeals in the Sixth Circuit. His book 51 Imperfect Solutions is framed around four stories which he uses to illustrate the interplay between state and federal constitutions. The four stories are; school funding, the exclusionary rule, eugenics, and mandatory flag salutes. Sutton believes that many of the state constitutions are actually closer to codes than constitutions. Many states have constitutions that are so long that most residents of that state have not read them in their entirety. The original states have much smaller constitutions that are rather similar in tone and language to the federal Constitution.What is the interplay between the federal Constitution and the state constitution? What is the exclusionary rule? What role should the state play in comparison to the federal government? Do states know best when it comes to funding education? Is the Supreme Court always “right” when it comes to interpreting the Constitution?Further Reading:The United States Once Sterilized Tens of Thousands — Here’s How the Supreme Court Allowed It, written by Trevor Burrus51 Imperfect Solutions, written by Hon. Jeffrey S. SuttonRelated Content:Constitutional Controversies, written George H. SmithThe Constitution in Practice: From Liberty to Leviathan, Free Thoughts PodcastThe Conscience of the Constitution, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting in the 1930’s, the American Medical Association (AMA) reluctantly agreed to accept a health insurance model because they feared the federal government would overreach into the health care sphere. They decided that the best way to protect themselves was to have only the insurers finance health insurance. A huge component of this was that every physician would be paid for each service they provided during a patients’ visit. Essentially, the AMA drove health care costs up by incentivizing physicians to provide any relevant tests because they would be paid for every service during each appointment. To the physician, they were charging a faceless third party somewhere, for each service, rather than thinking they are charging their patients for each service. Therefore, costs were already a huge problem before Medicare passed in the 1965. Today, we have to look at how hospitals and doctors are incentivized in order to analyze our overall health care system. Essentially, the AMA enabled government intervention in the health care system, when they originally agreed upon the creation of a health insurance market to prevent government interference.When was the discovery of germ theory and how did it change the sphere of health care? How did the American Medical Association increase the professionalization of doctors? Are we rationing health care or are we over-providing it? What percentage of the GDP does the U.S. spend on health care? Do we demand more out of health insurance than insurance can handle?Further Reading:Ensuring America’s Health: The Public Creation of the Corporate Health Care System, written by Christy Ford ChapinThe History of Germ Theory, written by Jemima HodkinsonHow does health spending in the U.S. compare to other countries?, by Bradley Sawyer and Cynthia CoxPresident Johnson signs Medicare bill on July 30, 1965, written by Andrew GlassRelated Content:Health Care without Health Insurance, Building Tomorrow PodcastWhy Can’t You Email Your Doctor, Free Thoughts PodcastHow to Fix Health Care, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There tends to be cost overruns when the government undertakes a grand infrastructure project. This is exactly what happened when the government contracted companies to build the railways across the United States in the 19th century. Randal O’Toole stresses that with the introduction of the automobile to America, it allowed everyone to travel. Prior to the automobile boom, only the middle-class & the wealthy could afford to travel via railways. Today, there is a misperceived notion that European passenger trains run more efficiently than American trains, but that is not actually the case. Even though trains are not more energy efficient than cars, the United States actually has the most effective rail system in the world because it is privately owned. What was the biggest financial & political scandal of the 19th century? Did the First Transcontinental Railroad help settle the West? When was the golden age of railroad travel? Have train rides always been overpriced? What role does nostalgia play in maintaining our rail systems?Further Reading:Romance of the Rails: Why the Passenger Trains We Love Are Not the Transportation We Need, written by Randal O’TooleWhy Passenger Trains Don’t Work in Europe, written by Randal O’TooleThe Coming Transit Apocalypse, written by Randal O’TooleRelated Content:Is Public Transportation Worth It?, Free Thoughts PodcastRandal O’Toole Discusses Privatizing Transit, Capitol Hill briefing held on July 14, 2011 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The concept of impeachment was not new at the time of the Constitutional Convention. The Framers thought including the ability to impeach the Chief Magistrate to the Constitution was extremely important. However, today it is hard to picture in our polarized political climate that there would ever be a super majority in the Senate in order to impeach and remove a president.Were there debates about including impeachment in the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention? What is the scope of the impeachment clause? What does the process of impeachment look like? What level of incompetence could be grounds for impeachment?Further Reading:Democrats Abandon the Constitution, written by David B. Rivkin Jr. and Lee A. CaseyIndispensable Remedy: The Broad Scope of the Constitution’s Impeachment Power, written by Gene HealyNixon v. U.S.Related Content:America’s Dangerous Devotion to Executive Power, Free Thoughts PodcastKing Obama, King Trump: The Dangers of an Imperial Presidency, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Like economic policy, it can be hard to judge the relative freedom of tech policy. Depending on the tech policy we are referring to, the United States is still a massive hub and innovator. That is not to say that we do not have current regulations that may inhibit innovation of certain emerging tech sectors. Naturally, with new technology, comes fear of the unknown and we have to make sure that we do not succumb to those fears. Listening to fears could result in limiting our ability to develop the tech to the fullest extent.How do we address the federalism question when it comes to tech policy? When it comes to emerging tech, are we forced to imagine threats? Should we be concerned about the level of pervasive private surveillance? What threat do Amazon, Google, and Facebook pose since they centralize our data?Further Reading:Permissionless Innovation, written by Adam ThiererTechnopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, written by Neil PostmanOf Rockets and Robotics: The Regulation of Emerging Aerial Technology, The Cato InstituteRelated Content:Killer Drones or Delivery Drones, Building Tomorrow PodcastIs China beating the U.S. at Innovation?, Building Tomorrow PodcastWelcome to the Sharing Economy, Free Thoughts PodcastIn the Economy of the Future, You Won’t Own Your Kitchen, written by Pamela J. Hobart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are a regular listener of Free Thoughts, you are surely familiar with Free Thoughts fan favorite Peter Van Doren. Today, Peter Van Doren joins us for special bonus episode of Free Thoughts to discuss the latest issue of Regulation Magazine. If you like what you hear, you can check out Regulation online by heading to cato.org/regulation.What percent of American consumer expenditures actually end up in China? Is trade to blame for the disappearing manufacturing jobs? Why does the federal government own so much land in the West?Further Reading:Cato Regulation Magazine Fall 2018Related Content:Is Public Transportation Worth it? (with Peter Van Doren), Free Thoughts PodcastRegulation Magazine, Summer 2018 (with Peter Van Doren), Free Thoughts PodcastPeter Van Doren vs. MS-13, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sahar Khan explains the complicated history of Pakistan, and its’ relationship with the U.S., from its designation as an independent country from Great Britain in 1947.Is a majority of Pakistan Muslim? What is the difference between a Sunni Muslim and a Shi’a Muslim? Do they get along? Are their other divisions between Muslims? What is the government structure of Pakistan? Did September 11th, 2001 change the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan? What military groups does Pakistan sponsor? Was the Taliban ever a political party?Further Reading:Libertarians Shouldn’t Accept the Case for Colonialism, written by Sahar KhanPakistan’s Youth: An Untapped Resource by Pakistan’s Political Parties, written by Sahar KhanThe Stalemate: Implications of Afghanistan’s Stalled Peace Process on U.S.–Pakistan Relations, written by Sahar KhanRelated Content:America’s Authoritarian Alliances, Free Thoughts PodcastGovernment, War, and Libertarianism, written by Justin Logan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America has roughly 4500 institutions of higher education. In a majority of those institutions, there aren’t any students shouting down, sometimes violently, guest speakers. These widely-publicized events tend to occur in left-leaning parts of the country, most notably the Northeast and the Western seaboard. However, heightened levels of anxiety and depression within student populations is readily visible across the country. Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt join us to discuss their theory, which is explained in great detail throughout their book The Coddling of the American Mind, of why this trend is occurring among the iGen generation and how parents, school administrators, and the students themselves can help mitigate its’ effects.What is the justification that students use to oppose speakers, demand speech codes, and request trigger warning policies? Do students overuse the word “trauma”? What is the new kind of student activism and how is it toxic to educational institutions? How widespread is this issue? What is the mental health state of students who are attending college now, as part of the iGen generation? What role does social media play in this young “mental health crisis”?Further Reading:The Coddling of the American Mind, article in the Atlantic, written by Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan HaidtThe Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion, written by Jonathan HaidtUnlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate, written by Greg LukianoffFIRE websiteHeterodox Academy websiteRelated Content:Campus Freedom, Free Thoughts EpisodeCampus Censorship and the End of American Debate, Free Thoughts Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jesse Norman believes that many books about Adam Smith miss two key parts of his work. The first being some technical consequences associated with Smiths’ work on economics. The second is that he was part of the Scottish Enlightenment, which was not a result of questioning religion, as the Enlightenment in other parts of the world was. Norman explains how Adam Smith’s life progressed to the point of where he produced The Wealth of Nations. Norman thinks of Smith as not only the father of economics, but also the father of social psychology.What is Smith’s policy impact today? What was the intellectual environment was Smith in? When was the Scottish Enlightenment? How was the Scottish Enlightenment different than the French Enlightenment? What was the relationship between David Hume and Adam Smith? Why is the Theory of Moral Sentiments often ignored? What is an “impartial spectator” according to Smith?Further Reading:Adam Smith: Father of Economics, written by Jesse NormanThe Condensed Wealth of Nations and The Incredibly Condensed Theory of Moral Sentiments, written by Eamonn ButlerAdam Smith InstituteRelated Content:Was Adam Smith a Libertarian?, written by Paul MuellerThe Ideas of Adam Smith, Free Thoughts EpisodeHow Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Free Thoughts Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

P.J. O’Rourke offers comedic relief about the state of our politics from his unique journalistic perspective influenced by the “sunshine” of the 1960s. O’Rourke has worked for many notable publications such as the National Lampoon and Rolling Stone Magazine. He has had two New York Times #1 Bestsellers; Parliament of Whores and Give War a Chance. He is currently a correspondent for the Atlantic as well as the H.L. Mencken Research Fellow at the Cato Institute.Why does show business and left-wing politics have an affinity for each other? What happened to politics in the 1960s? How did the baby boomers ruin the world? What does O’Rourke think of the state of journalism today? Are we more divided today, as a society, than we were in the latter half of the 1960s?Further Reading:None of My Business, written by P.J. O’RourkeAll the Trouble in the World: The Lighter Side of Overpopulation, Famine, Ecological Disaster, Ethnic Hatred, Plague, and Poverty, written by P.J. O’RourkeIt’s Worse than Vulgar, It’s Trendy, written by P.J. O’RourkeRelated Content:Is Liberalism in Danger?, Free Thoughts EpisodeHarambe to Trump: 2016 was the Worst, Free Thoughts EpisodeKing Obama, King Trump: The Dangers of an Imperial Presidency, Free Thoughts Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Fettweis joins us this week to discuss his book Psychology of a Superpower: Security and Dominance in U.S. Foreign Policy. Fettweis argues that as a country, Americans, tend to be so fearful of our perceived enemies that we are willing to spend much more on national security measures than is neccessary. Ultimately, we may end up doing more harm than good.What is unipolarity? Is the United States the most fearful country in the world? Do we spend more money on national security because of that fear? Is the world safer than it was during the Cold War? If so, why do people have nostalgia for the Cold War? What is the “enemy image” problem and do we need an enemy in order to continue interactions abroad? Does everyone value human life in the same way?Further Reading:Psychology of a Superpower: Security and Dominance in U.S. Foreign Policy, written by Chris FettweisChristopher J. Fettweis on his book Psychology of a Superpower, Cato AudioLosing Hurts Twice as Bad: The Four Stages to Moving Beyond Iraq, written by Christopher FettweisRelated Content:When is it appropriate to go to war?, Free Thoughts EpisodeHow much should we worry about ISIS?, Free Thoughts EpisodeThree Arguments against War, written by Jason Kuznicki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do enough people benefit from public transportation considering the amount of money poured into those politically-driven endeavors? Peter Van Doren joins us this week to break down this issue. The percentage of people who use public transit on a daily basis is higher, for obvious reasons, in urban areas. However, even in a city like Washington, D.C., only “700,000 people use the public metro rail system in comparison to the 5 million who commute downtown by car.” Van Doren argues that mass transit spending grew the most under the Nixon presidency because it made the most political sense. Unfortunately, that mindset tends to persist today.How would you define public transit? What does all the money we spend on public transit actually do? Why are there always more calls for public transit? Why are we fixated on public transit options like trains? Why is there a negative connotation associated with public buses?Further Reading:Report: 98 Percent Of U.S. Commuters Favor Public Transportation For Others, from the OnionThe Urban Transportation System: Politics and Policy Innovation, written by Alan A. AltshulerRegulation MagazineRelated Content:Transportation, Land Use, and Freedom, Free Thoughts EpisodeWho will build the roads?, Free Thoughts EpisodeRide-Sharing Services Aren’t a Problem, They’re a Solution, written by Aeon SkobleUncle Sam, the Monopoly Man: Paying for Roads, written by William Wooldridge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew J. Moore discusses how Buddhism may align with libertarian tendencies; most importantly the need to think for yourself. At the core of Buddhism is the hope or want to escape from suffering, with that being said it is grounded on four noble truths. In traditional Buddhist teaching, there are gods, but they’re all mortal. The universe according to the Buddha has no beginning and no end, and they will all eventually die and be reincarnated.Matthew J. Moore elaborates on the Buddhist political theory that is more substantiative than simple absolute monarchy. When Buddha talks about politics, Moore claims that it always goes back to a deeper level that there is no self. The Buddha believes that your self is an “ongoing project” and that very fact creates many social disruptions, distractions, and tensions. What could Buddhist politics look like in practice? Moore argues that the Buddha believes that you shouldn’t put a ton of thought or hope in to political duties- you should do them, but it should not be the element of your life that makes you feel “free”. Ultimately, Moore argues when it comes to politics and Buddhism, “the quality of your experience matters and the quality of your intention matters.”Who is the Buddha? Is Buddha thought of as a divine person, as a spiritual being like Jesus, or like one of the Hebrew prophets? Is he a philosopher and not divine? Why would Buddhism have something to say about political theory? Does the Buddha believe that there are human rights?Further Reading:Buddhism and Political Theory, written by Matthew J. MooreReasons and Persons, written by Derek ParfitRelated Content:The Effects of Liberty on Religion, written by Adam SmithLibertarianism and Christianity, Free Thoughts EpisodeA Muslim Case for Liberty, Free Thoughts EpisodeReligion and Liberty, Encyclopedia of Libertarianism.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Edwards joins us this week to discuss the politics that goes into attempting to minimize the federal deficit. The Federal Government determines the federal budget, however there is not a balanced-budget requirement, which leads to the growth of the federal deficit. The Federal Government does two main “things” according to Edwards; they produce stuff and they transfer income. Obviously, national defense is one of the main things that the Federal Government produces. If they were to cut that production- it would have an immediate effect on defense programs and initiatives. Whereas if you cut from other programs, like those regarding housing, you would cut direct benefits to people.Over half of the federal budget goes to entitlement programs. Social Security alone has turned into a trillion dollar endeavor. Edwards suggests that if budget cuts were made across the board then it would be perceived as fair to all programs and it would be a step in the right direction.Why is it difficult for the Federal Government to cut any kind of spending? Why do federal programs always cost more than they are projected to? What is a special interest? Is there ever a point where we should really care about the federal debt? Who is lending the U.S. money? Should we have a balanced-budget requirement, if so, how would we enforce it?Further Reading:Downsizing the Federal Government websiteOpportunity Zones Fuel Corruption, written by Chris EdwardsTax reform 2.0 can alleviate Americans’ chronic saving problem, written by Ernest Christian and Chris EdwardsRelated Content:Building a Better Government, Free Thoughts EpisodeChoose Your Own Government, Free Thoughts EpisodeTaking Government Unseriously, Free Thoughts Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reverend Rob Schenck joins us this week to discuss not only his book Costly Grace: An Evangelical Minister’s Rediscovery of Faith, Hope, and Love, but also his career in the evangelical world and how it morphed into continued political engagement. Schenck, at the age of eighteen, decided that he would live his life in the service of God. He elaborates on how his religious life can be divided into three separate awakenings and how over the past few years he has come to see how politicized the evangelical community has become. After meeting President Ronald Reagan, Schenck became mesmerized by Reagan’s “presidential glow”, which inspired him to take his religious career into the political sphere. He notes how the Roe v. Wade decision invited the evangelical world into the sphere of politics. Up until Roe, many states had differing laws about abortion, but the Supreme Court decision allowed evangelicals to come together to form a stable pro-life movement.When did evangelicals become present in the political discussion? Why were evangelicals so “gun-ho” to get rid of Roe v. Wade? Does Trump represent a cliff that evangelical America fell off of? Why did Trump choose to align with evangelicals?Further Reading:‘My Third Conversion’: Rev. Rob Schenck On Why He Took On Gun Control, from NPR. Rev. Rob Schenck’s websiteCostly Grace: An Evangelical Minister’s Rediscovery of Faith, Hope, and Love, written by Rob SchenckThe Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute websiteRelated ContentLibertarianism and Christianity, Free Thoughts EpisodeFreethought and Freedom: Early Christianity and the Modern Libertarian Movement, Excursions Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Larosiere joins us to discuss how his interest in the design and development of weapons is controversial. Larosiere argues that most people agree that everyone should be able to defend themselves. However, most people do not understand that “aimed fire” is actually more effective than peppering bullets hoping to hit your target. The “aimed fire” technique is actually the most utilized military tactic because it results in a higher level of precision and accuracy. Larosiere also touches on how 3D-printed guns have been in the spotlight in recent news. The outrage about 3D-printed guns arose because many people did not understand that, in the United States, there is no law against manufacturing your own gun, in your home, for personal use. There are, of course, laws that prevent the sale and exportation of homemade guns, but it is not illegal to have a hobby, need, or want to manufacture your own gun.Why would anyone own a gun? What is the most effective mechanism to defend yourself? What is the difference between an automatic and semiautomatic weapon? What is a bump stock? Does magazine capacity matter at all? Is there something wrong with collecting things that inflict harm on others?Further Reading:The fight over 3D-printed gun plans has nothing to do with the Second Amendment, written by Matthew LarosiereYes, Washington, The First Amendment Even Protects Firearm Blueprints, written by Ilya Shapiro and Matthew LarosiereLosing Count: The Empty Case for “High-Capacity” Magazine Restrictions, written by Matthew LarosiereRelated Content:Rigth to Print Arms, Building Tomorrow EpisodeGuns and Mass Shootings, Free Thoughts Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Bates, from the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), joins us this week for our 250th episode to talk about how the Muslim ban, which President Trump initiated during his first week in office, inspired him to change his work focus from criminal justice reform to refugee relief.Bates addresses how the Administration is “overtly hostile” towards refugees. In our current political climate, it is an extremely trying time for refugee law, but also to be a refugee. The Refugee Act of 1980 allows the President to decide each year what the refugee cap is for the following year. President Trump set the lowest cap in the last 38 years at 45,000 refugees for the 2018 fiscal year. We have only resettled 16,000 refugees so far this year. We are incredibly far away from our maximum capacity of refugees.What is a refugee by definition? Are there exceptions to this definition? What is “temporary-protected status”? How is an asylum-seeker different than a refugee? How does the refugee process work? Which countries are accepting the most refugees? Is the United States really the “beacon on the hill” that we think we are?Further ReadingsIRAP response to the travel banUNHCR defines what types of refugess they classifyPresident Donald Trump advocated last year for dropping the refugee cap.Related ContentThe Truth About Immigration, Free Thoughts EpisodeTrump’s Immigration Crackdown, Free Thoughts EpisodeImmigrants and Guns: Different Issues, The Same Bad Arguments, written by Trevor Burrus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What tends to drive Congress’ institution overall? Where do organizations like Cato fit into the legislative process? What is the difference between the work that think tanks like Cato do, and that work of the Hill and lobbyists? Who is writing the actual legislation that might become law?Further Readings/References:The Statrix: How Government Wraps Our Perception of the World - Free Thoughts PodcastWashington’s Five Tricks - Free Thoughts PodcastThe Distinction Between Governance and Government - Free Thoughts PodcastBuilding a Better Government - Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Hazlett joins us for a discussion on the history of the U.S. government’s regulation of the airways. Efforts to liberate the radio spectrum have generated so much progress, ushering in smartphones, social media, podcasts and online media providers. But the battle for reform is not even half won.Further Readings/References:Check out the book: The Political Spectrum: The Tumultuous Liberation of Wireless Technology, from Herbert Hoover to the SmartphoneLearn more about Thomas HazlettCheck out our new podcast on emerging technology Building Tomorrow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sebastian Edwards joins us today to discuss why we abandoned the gold standard. Edwards recently published American Default: The Untold Story of FDR, the Supreme Court, and the Battle over Gold.On April 5, 1933, FDR ordered Americans to sell all their gold holdings to the government. This was followed by the abandonment of the gold standard and the devaluation of the dollar. American Default is the story of this forgotten chapter in America’s history.Further ReadingsLearn More about Sebastian EdwardsRead the book American Default: The Untold Story of FDR, the Supreme Court, and the Battle over GoldThe Gold Standard Won’t Be Coming Back - Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are a regular listener of Free Thoughts, you are surely familiar with Free Thoughts fan favorite Peter Van Doren. Today, Peter Van Doren joins us for special bonus episode of Free Thoughts to discuss the latest issue of Regulation Magazine. If you like what you hear, you can check out Regulation online by heading to cato.org/regulation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Nowrasteh joins us today to discuss the state of immigration in President Trump’s America.Further ReadingsThe Truth About Immigration (with Alex Nowrasteh) - Free Thoughts PodcastYou Are Now Free to Move About the Planet (with Alex Nowrasteh - Free Thoughts Podcast Understanding Immigration - The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building Tomorrow Podcast explores the ways technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship enable private individuals to build a free, wealthy, and peaceful world.Subscribe to Building Tomorrow here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gary Chartier joins us for a conversation on freedom of expression. He just published his new book An Ecological Theory of Free Expression. Chartier argues for an “understanding of expressive freedom as rooted and realized in a complex set of social ecosystems that merit protection on multiple grounds and applies it provocatively to a range of contemporary issues.”Further ReadingsMore about Gary ChartierMore work by Gary ChartierLiberty Chronicles: The Corporation Problem (with Gary Chartier) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find the book here: Seasteading: How Floating Nations Will Restore the Environment, Enrich the Poor, Cure the Sick, and Liberate Humanity from PoliticiansMore about Joe QuirkLearn more about Seasteading here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Status, Prestige, Activism and the Illusion of American Decline by John GlaserFree Thoughts Podcast - Close America’s Overseas Bases (with John Glaser)Free Thoughts Podcast - Is the Iran Deal a Good Deal? (with John Glaser)Encyclopedia of Libertarianism - Foreign Policy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Jessica Flanigan joins us to discuss the rights of self-medication; rights to purchase and use unapproved treatments, prohibited drugs, and pharmaceuticals without a prescription. As Jessica describes in her most recent publication in Cato Unbound, “For most patients, rights of self-medication needn’t change how they make medical decisions. After all, rights of self-medication do not preclude patients from consulting with physicians or using only government-certified drugs. But if patients had rights of self-medication they would be free to make intimate and personal decisions about their bodies that reflected their values rather than the values of a physician or public official.”Further Readings/References:Pharmaceutical Freedom: Why Patients Have a Right to Self Medicate Book by Jessica FlaniganMore about Jessica FlaniganRespect Patients’ Choices to Self-Medicate by Jessica Flanigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Cost joins us to discuss his new book The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy. In the history of American politics there are few stories as enigmatic as that of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison’s bitterly personal falling out. Jay Cost is the first to argue that both men were right—and that their quarrel reveals a fundamental paradox at the heart of the American experiment.Further Readings/References:More about Jay Cost here.Free Thoughts Podcast: Big Government and the Rise of American Political Corruption (with Jay Cost).Jay Cost, The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy (book). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Munger joins us to discuss his new book Tomorrow 3.0: Transaction Costs and the Sharing Economy. We discuss the future of the sharing economy, the role of the middle man, and the fundamental economic concept of transaction costs.Further Readings/References:Tomorrow 3.0: Transaction Costs and the Sharing EconomyLearn more about Mike Munger here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diego Zuluaga joins us for a discussion on cryptocurrencies. We also discuss fiat money, Gresham’s law and the difference between blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Further ReadingsYour World on the Blockchain - Free Thoughts PodcastContracts and Cryptography - Free Thoughts PodcastIs Bitcoin the Future of Money? - Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Ikenson joins us to answer one important question: is the United States in a trade war? We also discuss the future of trade policy and trade policy regulation. Further Readings/References:Free Trade - Encyclopedia of Libertarianism.orgHow Free Trade Creates Wealth - Free Thoughts PodcastSpecialization and Trade: A Re-introduction to Economics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Duffield joins us to discuss Cambridge Analytica and the future of social media. What is Cambridge Analytica? What is Facebook doing with all this data? Should we expect more regulation of online advertising or nationalized social media platforms?Further Readings/References:Free Thoughts Podcast: Free Speech Online (with Will Duffield) Free Thoughts Podcast: Nothing Is Secure (with Julian Sanchez)Free Thoughts Podcast: The Internet Doesn’t Need to Be Saved (with Peter Van Doren) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Van Doren joins us again to discuss his time on federal jury duty. On February 20th, 2018, Van Doren reported to the Federal District Court and was selected for jury duty. It was an MS-13 murder case involving an ongoing criminal conspiracy. We discuss conspiracy law, the nature of jury duty and the qualms of the criminal justice system. Further Readings/References:More about Peter Van DorenCato book Jury NullificationNancy MacLean and the Lazy Jury Fallacy by Trevor BurrusAn Essay on the Trial by Jury: Juries vs Representative Democracy by Lysander Spooner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eamonn Butler joins us to discuss his new book Ayn Rand: An Introduction. Why does Rand’s work remain so influential? Her thinking still has a profound impact, particularly on those who come to it through her novels, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead—with their core messages of individualism, self-worth, and the right to live without the impositions of others. Eamonn Butler is the Director of the Adam Smith Institute. In this episode, we discuss Ayn Rand, her work as a fiction author, and her fascinating life and history. Further Readings/References:Find Ayn Rand: An Introduction now available on www.libertarianism.orgMore about Eamonn Butler.More about Ayn Rand.More on Objectivism.Excursions into Libertarian Thought - Series on Ayn Rand and Altruism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keith E. Whittington joins us this week to discuss his new book Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech. Whittington argues that universities must protect and encourage free speech because vigorous free speech is the lifeblood of the university. We discuss free speech on campus, the use of trigger warnings and how universities can promote freedom of thought and ideological diversity.Further Readings/References:Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free SpeechMore work by Keith E. Whittington Campus Freedom - Free Thoughts PodcastCampus Censorship and the End of American Debate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter T. Leeson joins us to talk about his new book WTF?!: An Economic Tour of the Weird. Peter T. Leeson is the Duncan Black Professor of Economics and Law at George Mason University. We discuss some of the world’s strangest customs and behaviors; everything from convicting insects of crimes in a court of law to wife sales. How can this be rational economic behavior?Further Readings/References:WTF?!: An Economic Tour of the Weird by Peter T. LeesonMore work by Peter T. Leeson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Hasnas joins us this week to discuss the evolutionary process of common law. What is common law? Is it a completely random process? If common law is so great, why is there so much legislation?Further Readings/References:More about John Hasnas“Common Law” - The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism.orgNatural Law: Origins of Common Law Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Radley Balko and Tucker Carrington join us to discuss forensic science and the criminal justice system. We also discuss structural racism, Mississippi’s inadequate death investigation system and the relationships between police, prosecutors and forensic scientists.Further Readings/References:The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist: A True Story of Injustice in the American SouthThe Changing Role of Criminal Law - Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timothy Sandefur joins us for a conversation on Frederick Douglass. We also discuss the abolitionist movement, Douglass’s relationship with President Abraham Lincoln and how Frederick Douglass fits in with subsequent leaders of the black civil rights movement. Timothy Sandefur is the author of Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man. Further Readings/References:How Libertarians Ought to Think About the U.S. Civil War by Timothy SandefurFrederick DouglassSlavery in AmericaMore on Drapetomania Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Schweikert and Clark Neily join us for a conversation on law enforcement and accountability. We also discuss qualified immunity and how technology is helping to combat police misconduct.The Problem of Police Misconduct - Free Thoughts Podcast Thin Blue Lies: How Pretextual Stops Undermine Police LegitimacyClark NeilyJay Schweikert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rick Doblin joins us to gives us a primer on the medical uses of psychedelics. Rick Doblin is the Founder and Executive Director for MAPS; the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. We discuss the War on Drugs, how those suffering from PTSD are benefiting from psychedelics and how the DEA could hinder the research surrounding psychedelics and marijuana.Rick DoblinMAPS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic StudiesDrug Prohibition - Encyclopedia of Libertarianism.orgIllicit Drugs - Encyclopedia of Libertarianism.orgChasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs - Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Whaples joins us for a conversation on the Pope’s earnest call to build a truly compassionate society. Pope Francis’s fervent support for uplifting the poor and protecting the environment has inspired far-reaching discussions worldwide. But what is the most effective way to fight poverty? And what value does a religious perspective offer in addressing moral, political, and economic problems?Further Readings/References:Pope Francis and the Caring SocietyRobert WhaplesLaudato si’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Caplan gives us the case against traditional education and how employers reward workers for costly schooling they rarely if ever use, and why cutting education spending is the best remedy. Why have decades of growing access to education have not resulted in better jobs for the average worker but instead in runaway credential inflation?Further Readings/References:The Case against EducationEncyclopedia of Libertarianism: EducationFree Thoughts Podcast: The Education ApocalypseFree Thoughts Podcast: The State of State Education More about Bryan Caplan’s work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.