Free Thoughts

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 Liberati...

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...

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 infor...

Alex Nowrasteh joins us today to discuss the state of immigration in President Trump’s America. Further Readings The Truth About Immigration (with Alex Nowrasteh) - Free Thoughts Podcast You 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 Readings More about Ga...

Find the book here: Seasteading: How Floating Nations Will Restore the Environment, Enrich the Poor, Cure the Sick, and Liberate Humanity from Politicians More about Joe Quirk Learn 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 Glaser Free 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 pr...

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 para...

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 Economy Learn more about Mike Munger here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

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 Readings Your World on the Blockchain - Free Thoughts Podcast Contracts and Cryptography - Free Thoughts Podcast Is 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.org How Free Trade Creates Wealth - Free Thoughts Podcast Specialization and Trade: A Re-introduction to Economics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

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 S...

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 Dor...

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 th...

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 diversi...

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:...

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.org Natural 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 South The Changing Ro...

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...

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 Legitimacy Clark Neily Jay 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 Doblin MAPS - Multidisc...

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 problem...

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 Education...