The Darcy Gerow Podcast

Michael Wagner is an independent researcher and writer with a PhD in political science from the University of Alberta. Today we dig into the origin of and justification for Alberta’s struggle for self-determination, a movement which offers no illusions and makes no apologies for challenging the status quo.The discussion of Michael’s latest book, Time to Leave, Canada Cannot be Fixed, acts as a touchstone for a broader discussion on the historical and intellectual merits of Alberta Independence. Michaels’s books are primarily rooted in history, but they also embody the frustration many Albertans feel. When all political avenues have been exhausted, self-determination becomes the only viable path. Decades of federal overreach, constitutional constraints, and a lack of real property rights have created a climate ripe for separation. For libertarians, it is not about petty grievances but about the principle of self-governance and the need to reclaim autonomy from a centralized authority in Ottawa.Michael points listeners to various resources for further exploration. His website, drmichaelwagner.com, serves as a hub for those hungry for more than just sound bites. Merchantship.ca is highlighted as the go-to source for his books that delve into Alberta separatism and critiques of the constitution.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Michael Harris is the Libertarian candidate for the Battle-River Crowfoot by-election. He is a passionate advocate for liberty who counts Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard among his intellectual influences. I first met Michael last year at an event we hosted with Libertarian Party leader, Jacques Boudreau. At the time Michael was working for Students for Liberty and I thought he was a well spoken advocate for our cause, so I was excited to see that he had stepped up to run in this by-election. And, he’s been gaining traction.It’s no secret that this by-election is only happening because the Conservatives want their leader to have a seat in the House of Commons and the Battle-River Crowfoot riding is seen as an easy lock for Poilievre. The CPC won’t take any chances on this front after Poilievre was defeated in the Carleton riding which he had represented for around 20 years…I think. Yet, there are the murmurings of dissatisfaction with the situation from Battle-River Crowfoot constituents. After all, this is a rural Alberta riding and these people don’t just vote conservative out of habit, they genuinely believe in the principles espoused by conservative talking points. Principles such as smaller government, less waste, accountability, and of course, freedom. Not to mention, this particular riding is fertile ground for a heavy contingency of Alberta separatists.When an MP steps down so some guy who failed to form government or even retain a seat he held for decades can take a run at a sure thing, you can expect some questions to be asked. People might want to know how much this thing is costing us. They likely want to understand how the leadership of the CPC was so politically incompetent that this guy lost his own seat. Have they learned from their mistakes? Running him in a riding he’s basically guaranteed to win doesn’t give people a lot of confidence that they have.But one of the most important questions people in Battle-River Crowfoot wanted answered is where does Poilievre stand on a referendum on Alberta independence. Poilievre’s response - that he’s a Canadian patriot - shows the exact kind of disengaged, out-of-touch thinking that Albertans associate with the Laurentian elitist machinery. He had an opportunity to win them over and he gave them an example of why they want to leave. There is the sense of being used, of uncleanliness in the political process and despite it, the constituents of Battle-River Crowfoot will likely hold their collective nose and elect Poilievre by a large majority, but not without putting these questions and concerns at the fore, not without adding an element of the microscope to Poilievre’s ability, and not without giving young Michael Harris his soapbox to stand on.Michael is not a career politician, he’s a young guy with a passion for personal liberty. He wants to end equalization, scrap supply management, and strip Ottawa of the authority and decision making rightly enshrined to individuals. His is a message that resonates with rural Albertans.Hope you enjoy the episode.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The State is not Great is Tim Moen’s talk from the 2023 Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar. Tim Moen is the former leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada, a firefighter and paramedic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Gary Chartier is a legal scholar, philosopher, political theorist, and theologian. His work addresses anarchism and ethics. Chartier is a professor and serves as associate dean of La Sierra University's business school.Problems arise from having different definitions or understandings of terms and ideas. In politics, for example, the terms left and right have historically been used in broad and inconsistent ways, and both have shown tendencies toward extreme authoritarianism. The term capitalism is another example that is often avoided in polite company due to differences in its usage. When Gary Chartier wrote Anarchy and Legal Order he referred to himself and his work as leftist and anti-capitalist. This was interesting because it seemed like nothing in his work aligned with contemporary leftism and he discussed at length the positive impacts of free markets. In fact, what the book does is a make a strong argument for a stateless legal and political order for those who prioritize animal welfare, the environment, and the well-being of vulnerable people, which makes it an important work in the libertarian canon. The reality is that these issues are priorities for a large number of people and too often rigid distinctions and political dogma get in the way of providing solutions to these concerns.I hope you enjoy.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

How Regulations Destroy the Market Process is Per’s talk from the 2023 Capitalism and Morality Calgary Seminar.Per Bylund is Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Johnny D. Pope Chair in the School of Entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Futility of blaming the System is Clayton Reeder’s talk from the 2023 Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar.Stay tuned here as we will be uploading videos from the 2023 and 2024 Capitalism & Morality Seminars over the next little while.Hope you enjoy!-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The political landscape in Canada is as absurd as ever. Justin Trudeau has resigned in disgrace and Trump is threatening to annex the ashes of what remains. The word liberty is abused by both sides with such abandon that its actual meaning has become insignificant. Trudeau’s potential replacements are terrifying, and Canadian conservatives are simultaneously riding the coattails of Donald Trump and rejecting the radicalism that elevated the republicans to victory. The expectation from Canadian voters is that some hero politician will come in and by the magic use of parliamentary decree return Canada to a beacon of freedom and prosperity. The reality is that the best we can hope for is someone slightly less embarrassing as the next Prime Minister. The magic use of parliamentary decree is the problem, not the solution.Justin Trudeau’s legacy, for all its faults, at least brings Canadians together in a shared sense of humiliation. And why not? After all, every Prime Minister resigns in shame and disgrace. Trudeau’s story arc, however, has a significantly more tragic theme than others. He was after all born into wealth and privilege and groomed from a young age to become a puppet of globalist interests. He referred to his becoming Prime Minister as his own manifest destiny while his ex-wife, Sophie, struggled to contain his hubris in front of people. The system of political dynasties and incestuous special interests created a monster that it eventually came to despise once he was ineffectual at delivering results. Justin Trudeau in the end fell victim to the depraved system that created him and which he perpetuated throughout his career, a system that eats its own.Although Canadians have good reason celebrate the end of Justin Trudeau’s reign, his potential replacements as leader of the Liberal Party are equally as terrifying. Chrystia Freeland has thrown her hat in the race, which is only further proof of her smug disconnect with Canadians and reality. Despite her recent criticisms of Trudeau, she will be seen as a continuation of Trudeau’s bad policies. There are a few other relative unknowns in the fray, but it will basically be Mark Carney’s race to lose. The former head of central banks in Canada and England is being listed by the media as a political outsider which is anything but true, he’s the natural replacement for a Liberal Party looking to swing back to a centrist identity. It’s important to remember that Mark Carney presided over the BoC during the 2008 financial crisis and helped Stephen Harper facilitate the largest transfer of wealth away from the middle class in Canadian history…until the Covid regime of course.It is unlikely that the future leader of the Liberal Party will have the power to prevent the Conservatives from forming government, although Carney represents their best shot and sets the stage for an interesting showdown. Pierre Poilievre has promised to fire Tiff Macklem, current governor of the BoC, as well as audit the central bank. The Audit the Fed bills in the U.S. haven’t had much success but have always whipped libertarians into a frenzy. The difference in Canada is that parliament has always had the ability to audit the BoC or intervene in their policy. It’s likely the audit would show that every BoC Governor and every Prime Minister from both sides of the aisle were complicit in defrauding Canadian’s and funneling money to select special interests. It’s important to remember that Pierre Pollievre never questioned what Stephen Harper and Mark Carney were doing in 2008. So, it is realistic to consider this as campaign rhetoric and if inflation is under control, his current threats could quickly disappear. However, if the former BoC governor puts up a good fight in the polls, Pollievre might dig in his heels on the issue and things could unravel quickly.After Trump had threatened to annex Canada and make it the 51st state, many so-called “patriots” were already clamouring to ditch the Canadian dollar in exchange for the USD. Although that might be the worst and most uneducated reason to support Canada’s integration into the American union, it does demonstrate that some Canadians are open to the idea. First of all, it’s awesome to watch Trump troll Trudeau. But on the other hand, there is something so blatantly paradoxical in Trump’s approach, that it’s easy to brush this off as bombastic nonsense. The threat to annex Canada comes as a response to issues like tariffs, border security, and military spending not being taken seriously by the Canadians. If Canadian industries are a threat, if the border is too open, and if Canada’s military is weak, the answer is to get rid of the border completely? allow the free unobstructed flow of people and material? and have Americans take full responsibility for the largest coastline of any sovereign country? It’s doubtful that is where Trump is actually heading. Further, I doubt the Americans would be overly excited about having Canadians as

Matt Bufton is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Institute for Liberal Studies based in Ottawa, Ontario. The ILS is a non-partisan venue for the discussion of economics, philosophy, politics, and the foundations of a free society.The ILS aims to use the study of classical liberalism to cultivate critical thinking and informed citizenship. Classical liberalism, recognized for its emphasis on personal liberty and limited government, serves as a foundational philosophy for the western world. While classical liberalism and libertarianism are often used interchangeably, libertarianism tends to extend this vision by advocating minimal, if any, state interference. Both are, however, in stark contrast to modern liberalism which prioritizes social welfare and collective responsibility.We discuss how the concept of political neutrality is central to classical liberalism, reflecting the ideal of fostering open discourse free from ideological bias. However, maintaining neutrality can be challenging in a polarized world. Libertarian skepticism toward authority aligns with this stance but underscores the difficulty of achieving impartiality. Meanwhile, modern liberal priorities, such as equity and inclusivity, often introduce complexities into neutral institutions. The work of the ILS highlights how educational initiatives can counteract these difficulties.We talk about utilitarianism and its focus on maximizing happiness and consequentialism which intersects with classical liberalism by offering a moral approach to ethical dilemmas. Classical liberal thought aligns with utilitarianism’s rational foundation, but the more libertarian strain often questions collective solutions that infringe on individual autonomy. In practice, modern liberalism will apply utilitarian principles to address issues like education reform and social justice which highlights a distortion of classical liberal ideas today.Immigration comes up. We discuss how classical liberalism supports the free movement of people as an extension of individual liberty and global trade and how there is still a disconnect in the wider political conversation around immigration. The distinction between private and public property is not made clear. And why immigration, like many issues, should be subject to market forces and not the arbitrary whims of politicians.Democracy serves as another cornerstone of liberal studies, reflecting classical liberal values of individual participation in governance. However, the principles of democracy face challenges, including declining trust and growing polarization. Libertarian critiques of majoritarianism highlight the potential pitfalls of democratic systems.Through discussions around these ideological traditions - classical liberalism and libertarianism - the ILS hopes to foster nuanced debates on all the subjects we discuss, political neutrality, ethical reasoning, immigration, and democracy. This exploration provides students and individuals a deeper understanding of their roles within society and the tools to navigate complex challenges with informed perspectives.I hope you enjoy it. ...oh, and this is the first video version of the Darcy Gerow Podcast. You should be able to find it on YouTube also.-Darcy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Today’s guest on the podcast is journalist, economist, and author, Fergus Hodgson. We discuss his latest book, The Latin America Red Pill and Fergus shares insights from his experiences in Latin America, his work in libertarian and classical liberal advocacy and the exploration of economic and cultural issues. We also discuss his previous book, Financial Sovereignty for Canadians, that was inspired in part by the trucker convoy and recognizing that Canadians need a way to distance themselves from the machinery of Ottawa.At the Capitalism and Morality Calgary Seminar earlier this year, Fergus elaborated on some of the themes that crossover between both books such as the challenges of expatriation. Reflecting on his own journey as a New Zealand native who lived abroad extensively, he warns about the costs of relocating and the illusion of greener pastures. He argues that maintaining the unique freedoms found in Western countries like Canada, the U.S., and parts of Europe requires recognizing cultural and historical roots often absent in other regions.A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Fergus’s experiences and observations in Latin America. Initially drawn to the region by the prospect of greater freedom and a vibrant culture, he found stark realities of poverty and corruption. He describes how these systemic issues, often exacerbated by anti-capitalist sentiment, undermine progress. His reflections led to The Latin America Red Pill, which synthesizes years of travel, study, and lived experiences into a critique of Latin America’s socio-economic struggles.The episode also touches on broader geopolitical themes. Fergus critiques socialism, citing Venezuela as a cautionary tale, and argues that its failures stem from rigid centralization and anti-capitalist policies. He also addresses libertarian perspectives on foreign intervention, criticizing the tendency to blame all global issues on U.S. influence while ignoring the destructive nature of authoritarian regimes.Finally, we dig into some contentious issues like immigration and borders. Fergus recounts his transition from an open-borders advocate to recognizing the necessity of controlled immigration to preserve cultural and societal cohesion. He highlights the welfare state as a critical factor driving immigration challenges, arguing for policies that emphasize personal responsibility and community-driven integration.As a Canadian citizen with family ties to Alberta, secession is also a topic close to his heart. He envisions an independent Alberta as a beacon of freedom and prosperity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

My guest today is Dave Williams. He is a Conservative MLA in BC’s Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding.The BC Conservatives were often misrepresented as dangerous by the entrenched elites in power and media despite their relatively centrist positions. Their appeal to ordinary people, who have been neglected and disaffected did make them dangerous, but only to the ones in power. Parliamentary democracy relies on effective opposition. When the opposition is made up of the same kind of entrenched elitist ideologues of those in power, opposition becomes ineffective. In this case BC's United Party was replaced by the BC Conservatives due to their failure to address public concerns.Dave and I talk about British Columbians’ frustration with inadequate healthcare services and the BC Conservatives proposal for public-private collaborations to improve efficiency, quality, and choice. The BC Conservatives are also advocating for tax reform, competition, and deregulation to address unaffordability. We spend some time criticizing government redistribution, expanding bureaucratic control, and the undermining of individual autonomy.There is, of course, Vancouver’s worsening drug and public safety crises which highlights the need for policies that respect personal responsibility while enforcing property rights, reflecting failures in government approaches to homelessness and addiction. The government’s lack of respect for property rights, combined with subsidies for homelessness and addiction has perpetuated the problems, as seen in BC’s worsening crises despite extensive socialized efforts.We talk about the BC Conservatives’ rise to opposition status and how it reflects a generational shift in BC Politics. It reflects widespread dissatisfaction with entrenched elites and ineffective policies, signaling a shift toward decentralization and personal responsibility, but achieving lasting progress will require addressing systemic challenges and fostering greater provincial autonomy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

While the Enlightenment and liberalism have undeniably shaped the West, the decline of its foundational institutions and the rise of polarized responses between left-wing egalitarianism and right-wing populism reveal a flaw in liberal doctrine where it is powerless to counter societal decay. Classical liberalism, whose emphasis on life, liberty, and property, along with the obligation to obey government being conditional and rebellion openly endorsed, has shaped Western governance and created the institutional framework for justice and the rule of law yet those social institutions depend on individuals for maintenance. While virtuous individuals can create neutral institutions, those institutions cannot create virtuous individuals, leaving them vulnerable to corruption by non-liberal ideologies through democratic means.Democracy, as the preferred political process in the west, is often conflated with liberalism but it has not escaped criticism from liberal thinkers, from Plato and Aristotle to John Stuart Mill, for its susceptibility to popular opinion and self-interest. Democracy's short-term focus and appeal to majority prejudice exposes liberalism’s structural flaws where institutions increasingly advance harmful policies, subsidize mediocrity, punish virtue, and reflect the flawed ideologies of those in power. The erosion of trust in social institutions has fueled a populist movement, as entrenched bureaucracies - often unaccountable to elected officials - have become the true power, prioritizing their own interests over the people they are meant to serve. Donald Trump's rise as a populist figure is a protest against the decay of Western liberal institutions and ideologically captured bureaucracies that reflect the broader decline of empire.There is a challenge in addressing issues of scale within a vast, diverse population but Trump’s push to dismantle federal bureaucracies like the Department of Education and to restore decision-making to states offers a chance for consensus and effective reform. Optimizing the relationship between individuals and social institutions requires localized decision-making, as smaller, cohesive populations demonstrate that shared values and manageable scale foster freedom and unity, while large, fragmented democracies incentivize divisive, zero-sum politics. Given that populist movements often arise from disillusionment with centralized politics they do have the potential to foster a libertarian-type leaning which focuses on individual responsibility and local action as a counter to systemic decay. Donald Trump’s second term presents both an opportunity for substantial change and the risk that unresolved tensions could lead to an authoritarian left-wing reaction in 2028.The decline of Western liberal institutions reveals a vulnerability to corruption and ideological capture. Populist figures like Trump symbolize the duality of resistance to decay and the risk of authoritarianism which underscores the need for localized decision-making and institutional reform to prevent further erosion of freedoms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Nadine Wellwood joins me today to talk about her new project The 1905 Committee, described on their website as follows:As an organization dedicated to fostering engagement and understanding in policy matters, we strive to illuminate the significance of active participation in shaping our province’s future. Rooted in common sense conservative principles, our mission is to equip Albertans with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate policy decisions effectively. The platform advocates for leadership accountability, a made-in-Alberta immigration policy, a flat tax, withdrawal from the Canada pension plan, and a constitutional convention. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Thanks to Cory Morgan and the team at The Western Standard for having me on. Cory, who will be speaking at the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar, had me on his show to talk about Classical Liberalism and whether or not it still exists.Well…what does exist is an undeserved romantic nostalgia for the early years of confederation and the idea that Canada was some beacon of self-ownership and private property rights and the implementation of those liberal ideas into a functioning society. Yet liberalism has been in decline for at least as long as Canada has existed. Today it seems that classical liberalism and modern liberalism (socialism) are two completely different sets of ideas and although this is true in some ways, the relationship is more cause and effect than a rejection of liberalism.It's doubtful that the signatories to the British North America act in 1867 ever wanted to create a truly free society or had any intentions beyond imperialism. Canada has no great history of classical liberalism in thought or practice and certainly nothing compared to events like the U.S. declaration of independence.Historically, liberalism was a moral doctrine. It applied to every man, regardless of his position or status in life, the rights and principles of self-ownership, autonomy, and freedom and the naturally corresponding rights of property and self-defense, under the condition that these rights are respected and reciprocated to his fellow men. But then the question arises of how to ensure that condition is met. The need to maintain social order in a liberal society is undeniable. There is a need for members of a society to impose pressure on others when their rights are violated. And here classical liberalism takes a moral premise and turns it into a political mistake, by assigning the maintenance of social order to the state, in this case the Canadian and Provincial governments.Canada and the Provinces derive their justification from individuals and property owners who look to them to protect their rights as such. Classical liberal thinkers agreed with Thomas Jefferson: “…governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” In this way, self-ownership and private property precede the existence of the state. The state is granted a monopoly on the use of force by individuals so that it can protect the rights of individuals.Having been granted this monopoly on the use of force, the state has the authority to 1) to tax - to confiscate property, and 2) to regulate - to set laws and rules on how individuals can use their property, 3) to redistribute the funds necessary to protect the individuals’ rights and maintain social order, i.e. police, judges, etc. It is the paradoxical conclusion of classical liberalism that while in theory it sets out to preserve private property and self-ownership, in execution it forces the surrender of private property and self-ownership to the state through taxation and regulation.Although classical liberal thinkers would even today argue that the intention should be to limit the size and scope of the Canadian and Provincial governments, this is impossible in practice, and these governments have grown to impact every aspect of life in Canada. Once the political means of monopoly, taxation, regulation, and of centralized power are accepted, liberalism, in the true, moral sense no longer exists. What you are left with is the reaction to liberalism.Consistent liberal thought, libertarianism, where the primacy of the individual and their rights to property are respected, rejects this monopoly on the use of force. Classical liberalism is inconsistent in this regard. Liberalism - to the extent it was implemented - did create an economic environment that allowed for huge advances in technology and economic prosperity which we still see today when countries abandon their totalitarian policies and embrace individual rights, freedom of association, liberalized trade, etc. The reaction to that which liberalism has endowed is split broadly into two camps – modern liberalism (socialism) and conservatism.Modern liberalism, such as Trudeau’s Liberal Party of Canada, represents an egalitarian response to true liberalism, which is socialism. They view the economic prosperity of a free market as providing an unfair advantage to some and therefore justify the seizure and redistribution of property and wealth, which has already been accepted as necessary to the maintenance of a liberal social order.Conservatives represent a reactionary response to liberalism, but only to whatever type of liberalism is directly in front of them. It was them who originally defended feudalism at the onset of classical liberalism. Today the Conservative Party of Canada refers to themselves overwhelmingly as classically liberal, meaning they are willing to promote the ideas of self-ownership and property but not at the expense of the authority of the state. They want to preserve t

Brett Oland is the CEO of Bow Valley Credit Union. We had the chance to talk about the financial crisis in 2008, inflation, and how gold can protect a person in these inflationary times. We also talk about the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies and Open Banking.He will be speaking at this year’s Capitalism & Morality Calgary event Saturday, May 25, 2024. There is still a limited amount of space available. Use promo code DARCY for 20% off. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Capitalism & Morality Calgary seminar is coming up on May 25. If you're on this mailing list, use promo code Darcy for 20% off.The original Vancouver Event happens on June 1st. The founder of Capitalism & Morality, Jayant Bhandari will be joining us as one of our speakers in Calgary this year and he is our guest today.Jayant is well known not only for his for his international investment expertise but also his insights into the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of a free society.He has also developed a reputation for his devastating cultural critiques of societies that lack Western values.This quote does a nice job summing up Jayant's political philosophy:At the heart of capitalism lies morality, which gives rise to institutions built on principles of liberty, justice, and contractual integrity. Societies lacking in ethics see the proliferation of tyrannical and predatory systems. Attempts to enforce top-down values in such societies backfire as institutions adapt to underlying moral deficiencies, exacerbating societal issues.We are grateful for the chance to hear from Jayant at this year's event in Calgary.Register at: Calgary Seminar: Capitalism and Morality This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

It’s the remnant that counts. Clayton Reeder is the co-organizer of the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar. He’s also been organizing the Calgary Libertarian Meetup Group for about 10 years. He will be speaking at the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Seminar on Saturday May 25, 2024. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Capitalism & Morality Calgary May 25, 2024Capitalism & Morality Vancouver June 1, 2024It was nice to catch up with Tim Moen. Thanks to him for having me on his show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Per Bylund joins us to talk about a few things that we didn’t have time to cover at the Capitalism & Morality event in Calgary. Per gave an excellent talk on How Regulations Destroy the Economy and even after his very convincing arguments some people still grapple with the idea that State imposed regulations are necessary. Building codes and safety standards are examples of things which none of us believe should be done away with, but the questions remains of whether or not the State is well-equipped to be the voice of reason in these matters.Just as the idea of free market regulatory bodies is a hard one to grasp sometimes, the term Capitalism itself is often problematic. Per explains how many debates are unproductive due to a misunderstanding in definition. We often refer to a free market as capitalism, which is accurate. . . in a sense. Yet the left will describe capitalism as the corruption of State authority by those with deep pockets, which is also accurate. . . as long as the State has that authority.We talk about the State expanding it’s power through Central Bank Digital Currency. We know how quick the Canadian Government was to shut down peoples bank accounts during the trucker convoy. CBDC’s could be used in much more subtle ways. Maybe you’ve eaten too much beef and not enough bugs, your money simply won’t work to purchase certain items, or support certain causes like the freedom convoy.Per has a great article published through the Brownstone Institute where he explains Why Economic Cost was so Seriously Neglected during the pandemic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

Forget that the last election was the most important one in your lifetime. This one, they will tell you, is more important and the next one will likely be important again. No matter where you live, in every provincial and federal election there is an undercurrent of urgency and impending doom. Alberta was once the bastion of conservative philosophy. The Progressive Conservatives held power for 44 years until Rachel Notley showed up in 2015. The only places with more single party longevity in the world during those years were Cuba and North Korea - both being communist, authoritarian and undemocratic.Josh Andrus from Project Confederation joins us to give us an overview of what issues Albertans will be taking with them to the ballot box on Monday.Affordability is big one, we talk about how responsible fiscal policy at home can protect Albertans from reckless monetary policy in Ottawa. We also talk about decentralization and inescapable underlying theme of tension between Ottawa and Alberta. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com

The Darcy Gerow Podcast is a production of Capitalism & Morality . comSecession is a hot topic these days and today we have two experts on the subject.First up is Ryan McMaken, senior editor at the Mises Institute. His new book is called Breaking Away, The Case for Secession, Radical Decentralization, and Smaller Polities. Next up is Cory Morgan, political activist, columnist, host of the Cory Morgan Show and author of The Sovereigntists Handbook, Charting the Course to Western Independence.“The issue of Canada is important because that’s an example of a country with a similar cultural background [to the U.S.] and the same language. So, when people will say ‘If America were into [smaller] pieces, then they would immediately be in a state of war with each other.’ . . And then I ask why has the United States been at peace with Canada since 1815?” -Ryan McMakenRyan McMaken does a fantastic job of exposing the flaws in anti-secession arguments. It’s even comical when those arguments are put into the proper context.But say you don’t need to be convinced of the benefits that decentralization and smaller polities provide, then what? Well, that’s why Cory Morgan talks strategy.Cory Morgan will be at the Capitalism & Morality Calgary Event on Staurday, May 20th, 2023, where you will have the chance to ask questions and get your hands on his book.Use promo code DGPODCAST15 and register Here for 15% off the ticket price. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darcygerow.substack.com