Cato Podcast

So-called 'ungoverned spaces' is the latest term of art for places where central governments don't reach. And for some technocrats and interventionists, the mere fact that spaces aren't governed is a problem. Jennifer Keister comments. The Illusion of Chaos: Why Ungoverned Spaces Aren’t Ungoverned, and Why That Matters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sony will now issue The Interview in limited release, but there are clear lessons in the fight over the release of the film. Journalist Mary Katharine Ham discusses the strange and troubling precedent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sanctions aren't meant to wreck an economy, but sometimes they contribute to an economy's decline anyway. Emma Ashford discusses the case of Russia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are good reasons to believe the fight between insiders and outsiders in both major parties will yield some more libertarian public policy. Reason Magazine 's Peter Suderman comments on the fight over the so-called "CRomnibus." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Castro regime used the embargo as a scapegoat to blame America for the poor state of Cuba's economy and thus maintain a hold on power. Juan Carlos Hidalgo says there are good reasons to believe the Castros will now try to undermine these reforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Obama's announcement that the U.S. will end its embargo with Cuba is welcome news according to Ian Vasquez, director of Cato's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do consumers carry higher credit balances than in years past and do they abuse credit now more than ever? Todd Zywicki, coauthor of Consumer Credit and the American Economy , says no. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The next Congress presents a unique opportunity for surveillance reform, according to Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). Opening the the Cato Institute's conference on surveillance last week, Massie discussed the legislative challenges and opportunities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amendments to reform NSA surveillance powers have narrowly failed in the last two years. U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is confident the next Congress will be more supportive of reform efforts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pessimism is rampant despite great progress in human flourishing. Steven Pinker discusses reasons why and the implications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revelations in a new Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA-led torture detail an agency that acted without specific authority and misled its own overseers. Patrick G. Eddington comments on the new report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The climate change talks in Peru are much like those held each December: lofty rhetoric and limited prospects for a global agreement on climate change. Patrick J. Michaels comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to soon release details about CIA-led torture during the George W. Bush White House. Patrick Eddington comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The uncertain march to war in Iraq and Syria continues. Christopher Preble comments on John Kerry's testimony and the dubious authority underlying the President's war plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe's banks have been pushed around by regulators, leading to shrinking credit for businesses and a weaker economy. Steve Hanke explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are immigration reforms that the President and the incoming Congress can agree to implement. Alex Nowrasteh explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Lessig's Mayday PAC was supposed to bring about the end of superPACs. Instead, it may have violated some of the least complicated elements of campaign finance regulation. David Keating of the  Center for Competitive Politics  comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Public choice economics came at a critical time, when trust in government was increasing. The insights of that field should make us all less trusting of broad governmental solutions, according to Don Boudreaux. " Why Government Fails and Why Ideas Matter ," Cato Policy Report , November/December 2014 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another hidden gift inside the Affordable Care Act: mandatory calorie labeling for many restaurant menus. Walter Olson comments on the complications and potential unintended consequences of such a mandate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published the cartoons of the prophet Muhammad nine years ago, Denmark found itself at the center of a global battle about the freedom of speech. Flemming Rose is author of The Tyranny of Silence . The Tyranny of Silence Cato Book Forum The Tyranny of Silence Cato Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fossil fuels have driven human progress and dramatically reduced grinding poverty, says Alex Epstein. That's a hard pill for many people to swallow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A somewhat surprising vote in the U.S. Senate on reining in surveillance authorities. Patrick Eddington argues that the struggle for oversight of the National Security Agency continues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A surprise win for Klaus Johannis should signal optimism in the European Union, says Dalibor Rohac. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before the Great Depression, there was the Great Forgotten Depression. It's worth remembering, says author James Grant. The Forgotten Depression: 1921: The Crash That Cured Itself Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Obama may move soon to begin delaying deportations among other immigration reforms. Members of Congress have vowed a fight. Alex Nowrasteh evaluates the President's options. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.