Cato Event Podcast

The current administration has enacted the most active immigration policy in American history, issuing unprecedented executive orders, attempting to deport one million people a year, and imposing new restrictions on legal immigration. David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, and Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, will provide analysis of the current administration's policies on deportation, the rule of law, legal immigration, and the role of Congress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to discussing barriers to capital formation and the solutions to break through them. Small businesses are central to the US economy. Not only are small businesses the primary generators of new jobs, but they are also the incubators of innovation and the pipeline for future large businesses. Small businesses rely on many different sources of financial support, but the capital markets play an important role in helping small businesses grow. Unfortunately, tapping the equity markets can be difficult, owing in part to the complex web of regulations and exemptions that stand between an entrepreneur and raising capital in a securities market. Small businesses face obstacles from the tiny start-up stage through the time that a company is considering accessing the public markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to discussing barriers to capital formation and the solutions to break through them. Small businesses are central to the US economy. Not only are small businesses the primary generators of new jobs, but they are also the incubators of innovation and the pipeline for future large businesses. Small businesses rely on many different sources of financial support, but the capital markets play an important role in helping small businesses grow. Unfortunately, tapping the equity markets can be difficult, owing in part to the complex web of regulations and exemptions that stand between an entrepreneur and raising capital in a securities market. Small businesses face obstacles from the tiny start-up stage through the time that a company is considering accessing the public markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us at the Cato Institute for an in-depth fireside chat featuring Congressman Rich McCormick and Matt Mittelsteadt, Cato policy fellow in technology. This timely conversation will explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity policy, and the state of AI in Congress.Join us for a discussion on the current state of AI governance at the federal and state levels, the proposal for a 10-year moratorium on state and local AI regulations (what it means, and what's at stake), and the long-term vision for responsible, innovation-friendly AI policy in the United States.Whether you're a policymaker, tech professional, academic, or simply interested in the future of AI regulation, this is a must-attend conversation on how to balance innovation, security, and civil liberties in the age of artificial intelligence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From declining enrollments and skyrocketing tuition to the stifling of intellectual diversity, Richard Vedder's Let Colleges Fail exposes how centralized control, administrative bloat, and ideological orthodoxy have corroded our college campuses. But rather than lament, Vedder's book proposes market-oriented reforms that could revive academic freedom and restore genuine competition in the world of ideas.Can higher education be saved from the grip of bureaucracy and groupthink? What policies might unleash its true potential? Don't miss this urgent conversation between Cato research fellow Andrew Gillen and Vedder about tackling the rot and dysfunction plaguing American higher education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NATO member states will gather June 24–26 in the Netherlands for the 2025 NATO Summit. This comes as NATO member states' disparate interests, competing priorities, and varying perspectives on the future of Ukraine threaten the cohesion of the alliance.For both domestic and strategic reasons, US leaders from across the political spectrum seek a rebalanced alliance in which European states would take increasing responsibility for conventional deterrence on the continent. Yet while many European leaders pay homage to this idea, steps toward this objective remain halting. European officials reportedly want a cordial meeting to avoid any perceptions of disunity, while US leaders have continued to pressure allies to boost defense spending and take more responsibility for the defense of their continent.Will the United States follow through with plans to withdraw troops from Germany and Eastern Europe? How will European members respond to the US demand that they spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense?Please join us for this briefing as we examine the primary themes of the 2025 NATO Summit and options for the United States to rebalance the transatlantic relationship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Proposals to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) at the state level continue to increase. Unfortunately, these proposals could potentially disrupt advances in this important technology, even if there is strong federal policy. This policy forum, which is related to an upcoming policy analysis on the topic, will explore the potential economic costs of state-level AI regulation as well as the potential barriers in the market it creates for both consumers and innovators. Are there ways state AI policy conversations may discourage or encourage the important policy conversations around AI innovation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Competencies in Civil Discourse, Erec Smith speaks with attorney Kaitlin Puccio, Director at the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights. They discuss the ethical foundations of human dignity, bioethics in a pluralistic world, and how civil discourse can guide policy across cultural and ideological divides. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Competencies in Civil Discourse, I speak with Chris Bush and Joia Houheneka, the co-founders of 1776 Forward and hosts of the Free Speech Forward Podcast. 1776 Forward is a for-profit organization dedicated to sparking a cultural-political-philosophical revolution based on Philosophical Liberalism—an ideal that maximizes human freedom, flourishing, and greatness. They host the podcast "Free Speech Forward" in partnership with the Institute for Liberal Values and publish "The Philosophical Liberal" on Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One hundred years ago, the US Supreme Court famously wrote, “The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” That ruling was Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which launched the parental rights movement that has become especially ascendant, but also controversial, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this special conference, we will first tackle the idea of parental rights broadly, including its application in everything from health care to public school transparency. In the second panel, we will focus on the movement perhaps most influenced by Pierce: school choice. We will conclude with a lunch and keynote speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One hundred years ago, the US Supreme Court famously wrote, “The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” That ruling was Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which launched the parental rights movement that has become especially ascendant, but also controversial, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this special conference, we will first tackle the idea of parental rights broadly, including its application in everything from health care to public school transparency. In the second panel, we will focus on the movement perhaps most influenced by Pierce: school choice. We will conclude with a lunch and keynote speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One hundred years ago, the US Supreme Court famously wrote, “The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” That ruling was Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which launched the parental rights movement that has become especially ascendant, but also controversial, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this special conference, we will first tackle the idea of parental rights broadly, including its application in everything from health care to public school transparency. In the second panel, we will focus on the movement perhaps most influenced by Pierce: school choice. We will conclude with a lunch and keynote speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the president unilaterally impose tariffs under his emergency powers? In this webinar, legal scholars Ilya Somin, a professor at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University who is co-counsel in the pending tariffs case VOS Selections v. Trump, and Walter Olson explore the constitutional and statutory limits of presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and other statutes. They'll discuss President Trump's recent efforts to justify sweeping trade measures under IEEPA, examine the historical role of Congress in setting tariffs, and consider broader stakes for the separation of powers. Whether you're a lawyer, policymaker, or interested observer, this conversation will shed light on one of the most important trade and constitutional questions of our time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has been given an unusual mandate: to end the department she has been tasked with overseeing. As out of the ordinary as that might be, it is the right mission, because the Constitution gives the federal government no authority to govern in education, and the department's practical track record has been terrible.Join us for a very special fireside chat—shortly after the department celebrated its 45th birthday, on May 4th—where we will discuss why the department needs to go, how that can be done, the steps taken so far, and what American education would look like without a federal Department of Education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

School and district leaders are uniquely positioned to implement interdisciplinary civil discourse as schoolwide practices that empower educators and allow for each student's voice to be heard. By doing so, leaders build positive school cultures where students and staff bridge diverse viewpoints and have space for discussion, understanding, and reflection.In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of current educational leaders on how they build and foster civil discourse practices. They will discuss supporting educators and students and addressing concerns and challenges. Learn tips for supporting educators and planning the next steps for your community.You'll also learn about Sphere's new Leadership Toolkit for Civil Discourse, a collection of free resources designed to support you in getting started, planning action steps, setting goals, and more to foster civil discourse and empower educators. Our suite of new resources is designed for administrators, instructional coaches, department chairs, and other leaders to foster civil discourse at the school or district level. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tech policy has created more opportunities for entrepreneurship than just Silicon Valley startups. The availability of online platforms has empowered a new wave of entrepreneurs who might never reach household fame but who are contributing both to their own households and the greater economy. Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow in tech policy, speaks with two content creators about how these platforms and tech policy have impacted their businesses and changed their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Competencies in Civil Discourse, Erec Smith welcomes William Deresiewicz to explore the mission of the Matthew Strother Center for the Examined Life. Together, they unpack the role of intellectual courage, liberal education, and moral seriousness in reviving thoughtful dialogue in an age of ideological conformity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Populist narratives are gaining traction across the political spectrum, claiming that free markets have failed the American middle class. Critics argue that trade, immigration, and technological change have hollowed out manufacturing jobs and created an economy that no longer works for most Americans.In Crushing Capitalism: How Populist Policies Are Threatening the American Dream, economist Norbert J. Michel challenges this bleak interpretation. Drawing on historical data and contemporary analysis, Michel argues that the American Dream is not dead—but that it is being threatened by a growing push toward industrial policy, economic restrictions, and government intervention.Americans today enjoy unprecedented levels of prosperity, upward mobility, and opportunity. Rather than retreat from free-market principles, Michel makes the case for preserving the institutions and economic freedoms that have long fueled American success.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with the author, and the Washington Post's Megan McArdle, as we explore the myths shaping today's economic debates, the real story behind the rise of American prosperity, and the risks of moving away from market-driven solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United States and Iran are on a collision course. Iran is closer to developing a nuclear weapon than at any point in the country's history. Mixed messages from Washington and Tehran—coupled with rising pressure from hardliners on both sides—are complicating negotiations. Meanwhile, several flashpoints across the Middle East could set off a conflict. The prospects of American or Israeli military action against Tehran are growing, and the window for diplomacy is closing.Though serious distrust remains between Washington and Tehran and tensions are high, a deal is possible. How the Trump administration chooses to proceed will have far-reaching ramifications.Join us for a conversation with leading experts who will examine Trump's options vis-à-vis Iran and the associated costs and benefits for each plan of action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), it was told the new energy tax credits would cost about $270 billion over a decade. Revised official estimates put the cost at multiple times that amount. But congressional scorekeepers may still be getting the long-term cost of the IRA energy subsidies wrong. Recent Cato research quantifies the IRA's fiscal time bomb, showing how its unchecked expansion of government spending with no clear end date could cost almost $5 trillion by 2050.Join us for lunch and learn how the IRA's calamitous environmental and fiscal effects present a rare opportunity for Congress to use these partisan subsidies to fund permanent, pro-growth tax reform in the upcoming reconciliation package. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sphere is excited to introduce a new suite of interdisciplinary globalization resources to spark discussion with students about the impacts of globalization on society and progress. Globalization has been evolving and connecting societies for centuries, but it has faced renewed attention, particularly in relation to trade and tariff policies. Through moderated discussion with Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics and the Cato Institute's Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, we will explore what globalization is, what is produced, what alternatives there are, and perspectives on how individuals view global integration in the future.Following our discussion, we will examine strategies for integrating economic concepts in your class to help students analyze and evaluate the underpinnings of decisions impacting policies around topics that influence current and future global integration. We will demonstrate how you can help students visualize globalization through integrative projects in a lesson suite based on a simulated world and with standalone explainer lessons helping students understand economic concepts such as comparative advantage. Through tools, lessons, and multimedia resources, we are excited to help you bring topics explored in this webinar to your classroom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a compelling conversation with Alex Nowrasteh, Cato's Vice President of Economic and Social Policy Studies, and Clark Neily, Senior Vice President for Legal Studies, as they discuss the alarming rise in deportations without due process and the erosion of due process protections across the United States. They'll explore the sweeping actions of the Trump administration—what's really happening, why it matters, and how it reflects a dangerous expansion of executive power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polarization threatens American democracy, deeply pervading politics, schools, and everyday life. What sits at the root of this trend and how might we turn the tide? Philosopher Robert Talisse offers a compelling examination of these issues and offers a provocative solution—civic solitude. Join the Cato Institute and Sphere Education Initiatives on April 17th at 11 am EST, in person or online, for a discussion of Talisse's new book, Civic Solitude: Why Democracy Needs Distance.About Civic SolitudeAn internet search of the phrase “this is what democracy looks like” returns thousands of images of people assembled in public for the purpose of collective action. But is group collaboration truly the defining feature of effective democracy? Robert B. Talisse suggests that while group action is essential to democracy, action without reflection can present insidious challenges, as individuals' perspectives can be distorted by group dynamics.The culprit is a cognitive dynamic called belief polarization. As we interact with our political allies, we are exposed to forces that render us more radical in our beliefs and increasingly hostile to those who do not share them. What's more, the social environments we inhabit in our day-to-day lives are sorted along partisan lines. We are surrounded by triggers of political extremity and animosity. Thus, our ordinary activities encourage the attitude that democracy is possible only when everyone agrees–a profoundly antidemocratic stance.Drawing on extensive research about polarization and partisanship, Talisse argues that certain core democratic capacities can be cultivated only at a distance from the political fray. If we are to meet the responsibilities of democratic citizenship, we must occasionally step away from our allies and opponents alike. We can perform this self-work only in secluded settings where we can engage in civic reflection that is not prepackaged in the idiom of our political divides, allowing us to contemplate political circumstances that are not our own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As government regulations increasingly encroach upon personal health care choices, patients face growing limitations on their ability to make their own decisions. In Your Body, Your Health Care, Dr. Jeffrey A. Singer validates these frustrations while presenting a bold philosophical framework for reforming the relationship between individuals, the health care system, and the state.Through thoughtful analysis of issues like prescription requirements, self-medication rights, harm-reduction access, and licensing laws, Dr. Singer outlines a path toward health care policy that prioritizes individual rights and adult autonomy.Please join us in discussing the book and its transformative implications with the author. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With less than 5 percent of the world's population and almost a quarter of its prisoners, the United States indisputably has a mass incarceration problem. The Constitution contains numerous safeguards that check the state's power to lock people up. Yet since the 1960s, the Supreme Court has repeatedly disregarded these limits, bowing instead to unfounded claims that adherence to the Constitution is incompatible with public safety.In Justice Abandoned, Rachel Barkow highlights six Supreme Court decisions that paved the way for mass incarceration. If the Court were committed to protecting constitutional rights and followed its standard methods of interpretation, none of these cases would have been decided as they were, and punishment in America would look very different than it does today.Barkow shows that sound public policy, fundamental fairness, and the originalist methodology embraced by a majority of sitting justices demands overturning the unconstitutional policies underlying mass incarceration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The September 6, 1901, assassination of President William McKinley by self-professed anarchist Leon Czolgosz triggered a nationwide political backlash against the killer's like-minded political adherents. It also served as the catalyst for the expansion of nascent federal government surveillance capabilities used against not only anarchists but socialists and members of other social or political movements that were challenging the prevailing political, economic, and social paradigms of the day. And it was the ensuing, decades-long persistent exaggerations of domestic political threats from those movements that drove an exponential increase in the frequency and scale of unlawful government surveillance and related political repression against hundreds of thousands of individual Americans and civil society organizations.The Triumph of Fear is a history of the rise and expansion of surveillance-enabled political repression in America from the late 1890s to early 1961. Drawing on declassified government documents (many obtained via dozens of Freedom of Information Act requests and lawsuits) and other primary sources, Cato Institute senior fellow Patrick Eddington offers historians, legal scholars, political leaders, and general readers surprising new revelations about the scope of government surveillance programs and how this domestic spying helped fuel federal assaults on free speech and association that continue to this day. Join us for a conversation about the book with Eddington led by Caleb Brown, Cato's director of multimedia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We tend to think of public education as a ladder of opportunity—a system that ensures that no matter a child's economic circumstances, they will get the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in life. But what if that's wrong? Indeed, what if the goal is actually the opposite: to keep people docilely in their place, no matter how bad their situation?This is what Raised to Obey, grounded in deep, original research on the timing and targeting of mass education, contends. Public education was very often created not to give children what they needed to do or be whatever they wanted but to keep people in their place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Competencies in Civil Discourse, a series on the effectiveness of civil discourse and the skills it requires, will feature an interview with Ian Rowe, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies in the Bronx. His schools emphasize empowering youth to develop and exercise their agency in American society. Rowe explores these ideas in his book, Agency: The Four-Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for All Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power. In this discussion, we'll focus on how rhetorical skill is essential to fostering agency in a free and civil society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celebrate Women's History Month with Sphere Education Initiatives! In this webinar, we will explore the intersection of economics and women's empowerment, examining how it influences women's mobility and their role in society. Scholars will highlight how removing barriers to economic participation is not only empowering for women but good for overall human progress. We will examine factors of societies and governments that contribute to uplifting women economically, discuss the influence of the past on the present, and explore where we go from here. You will hear from scholars and Sphere's content development team on how to integrate economic discussions across disciplines and incorporate narratives from our Human Progress suite of resources into your curriculum, fostering enriching conversations on the intersection of society, economics, policy, and women's empowerment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somewhere between the tendency to see everything through the lens of race and racial oppression and the tendency to dismiss those dynamics altogether lies the truth in any given setting, including criminal justice.That there are police officers in this country who hold racist views is a problem the FBI has acknowledged in its own intelligence reports and information-sharing guidance to its agents. But how pervasive are racist views among police at the federal, state, and local levels? To what extent is there empirical evidence that racism among police leads to greater harassment, arrests, or violence against racial, ethnic, or religious minorities? Though the term “white supremacy” may be overused today, even as a synonym for racism, it should not desensitize us to the existence and true nature of white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups nor stop us from asking to what extent such elements have been able to find employment within law enforcement.In Policing White Supremacy: The Enemy Within, FBI veteran Mike German tackles these and other questions. German spent 16 years with the bureau and conducted extensive and very dangerous undercover work targeting white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups. Join us on March 26 at 1 p.m. EDT as Cato senior fellow Patrick Eddington and Cato legal fellow Mike Fox question German about his new book and his own experiences as an FBI undercover agent who infiltrated violent right-wing groups. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimmy Lai became China's most prominent political prisoner when he was arrested and convicted on trumped-up charges after Hong Kong imposed its draconian security law in mid-2020. Mark Clifford will tell Lai's story of escaping China to Hong Kong as a boy, becoming a successful entrepreneur in the fashion industry, and founding and running the wildly popular Apple Daily newspaper and Nextmagazine to criticize China's Communist Party and advocate for democracy in Hong Kong. The author will discuss why Lai became a stalwart champion of Hong Kong's freedoms. Jimmy Lai's son, Sebastien, and Mark Simon will discuss the importance of Lai's activism, the state of his current national security trial, and any prospects for Lai's own freedom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gene and Clark will discuss the Trump administration's actions since the inauguration—including executive orders, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), pardons, and the role of the courts. There's been no shortage of headlines, which can all seem overwhelming. We'll walk through the principled view libertarians should consider—from the bright spots that advance liberty without shredding the Constitution to dangerous growth in executive power. We'll also update you on how we're engaging the administration and Congress with our solutions (including our report to DOGE) while also pushing back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In recent years, calls to limit, regulate, or ban social media platforms have escalated from all corners of the political spectrum. These concerns have been as varied as national security, foreign ownership, and the danger of disinformation in a divided democracy. Yet perhaps the most cross‐​partisan concern has come from increasing evidence of social media's detrimental impact on youth mental health. Join Sphere Education Initiatives on March 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for a timely webinar on social media and youth mental health featuring Jennifer Huddleston, senior fellow in technology policy at the Cato Institute, and Clare Morrell, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.Offered during Civic Learning Week, which runs March 10–14 this year, this webinar seeks to highlight “the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions that provide the foundation for an informed and engaged populace.” For more information about Civic Learning Week, visit civi​clearn​ing​week​.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In conventional political debate—particularly in Washington, DC—“law” is understood as top-down legislation: rules consciously designed and imposed by central authorities. John Hasnas challenges this unspoken assumption, pointing to the Anglo-American common law, a decentralized, continually evolving system that produces order without conscious design or political control. In his important new book, Common Law Liberalism: A New Theory of the Libertarian Society, he offers a theory of liberalism that demonstrates that the common law can serve as an effective alternative to traditional politically created legislation. Hasnas's thesis has implications ranging from modest (many government functions can be better supplied by the common law than by centralized legislation) to radical (if human beings do not need the state to make law, do they need the state at all?).Please join us for a discussion of this provocative new book featuring the author and Professor David Schmidtz, director of the Social Philosophy and Policy Center at West Virginia University, moderated by Cato's Gene Healy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to secure your dream internship by showing more than just qualifications? Want to demonstrate your ability to take initiative, think independently, and be entrepreneurial in your projects? Join us for an engaging and interactive session where you'll hear directly from current interns and application reviewers.HighlightsShowcase Your Initiative: Learn how to frame your experiences to highlight independence, self-starting behavior, and innovative thinking—skills essential to standing out in your internship application. Discover what qualities we seek and how to demonstrate them effectively.Tips and Tricks: Gain insights from application reviewers who will share what they look for in submissions to rise to the top.Q&A Session: Bring your burning questions and get answers from a panel of program supervisors and scholars. Clarify any doubts you may have about the application process.Success Stories: Hear inspiring stories from individuals who successfully secured a spot in the internship program and discover how they navigated the process.Connect with Current Interns: Learn from current interns about the program and the experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to secure your dream internship by showing more than just qualifications? Want to demonstrate your ability to take initiative, think independently, and be entrepreneurial in your projects? Join us for an engaging and interactive session where you'll hear directly from current interns and application reviewers.HighlightsShowcase Your Initiative: Learn how to frame your experiences to highlight independence, self-starting behavior, and innovative thinking—skills essential to standing out in your internship application. Discover what qualities we seek and how to demonstrate them effectively.Tips and Tricks: Gain insights from application reviewers who will share what they look for in submissions to rise to the top.Q&A Session: Bring your burning questions and get answers from a panel of program supervisors and scholars. Clarify any doubts you may have about the application process.Success Stories: Hear inspiring stories from individuals who successfully secured a spot in the internship program and discover how they navigated the process.Connect with Current Interns: Learn from current interns about the program and the experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Argentine President Javier Milei came to power nearly a year ago on the campaign promise to abolish the central bank and dollarize his country's economy. As part of his ambitious reform agenda, the government has eliminated fiscal deficits and significantly reduced public spending and inflation. Milei remains committed to dollarization but has not yet implemented that reform. Given the progress in stabilizing the economy, Emilio Ocampo, Alfredo Romano, and Nicolas Cachanosky will discuss why Argentina should not wait to replace the peso with the dollar. Drawing from regional experiences and Argentina's own history, they will explain how carrying out such monetary reform sooner rather than later—along with lifting capital controls and freeing the exchange rate—would boost confidence in the Argentine economy and produce tangible economic and political benefits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the founding of the republic through the early 1930s, Congress set tariff rates through legislative revisions to the US tariff schedule. Low tariffs were initially imposed to raise revenue for the federal government, but tariffs became a tool to protect domestic producers from foreign competition. Today, Congress has broadly delegated its constitutional tariff powers to the president, and there is a real risk that the legislative and judicial branches would be unwilling or unable to check a future president's abuse of US trade law as currently written.In a recent briefing paper titled “Presidential Tariff Powers and the Need for Reform,” Cato scholars examine the current laws that might allow the president to impose broad tariffs without congressional input, as well as the reform options available to Congress for restoring balance between the legislative and executive branches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Higher education is at a crossroads. American universities are facing important questions about accountability and viability, including concerns about ideological influences, rising administrative costs, shifting academic expectations, and the growing challenge of student loan debt. But what are the underlying causes of these challenges, and how can we address them?Join us for a thoughtful discussion with The Honorable Representative Burgess Owens, chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, alongside Cato experts Erec Smith, PhD, and Andrew Gillen, PhD as they examine the challenges facing academia today and explore practical solutions for the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Occupational licensing boards today act like protectors of cartels, often going beyond merely issuing licenses to launching witch hunts and boxing out their competitors. February 2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. FTC. In that case, that state's dental licensing board was ruled to be acting like a monopolist (using the power given to it by the state government) by trying to drive non-dentist teeth whiteners out of business. This policy forum will discuss the policy landscape that resulted from that decision and what it should mean for liberty-minded policymakers and litigators in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a Q&A, Brandon Garrett and Vikrant Reddy will discuss the new threats that due process faces and how we can respond by better safeguarding fundamental liberty and property rights. They will discuss why people are tempted to place outcomes before fairness—in society and in the courts. They will explore how new technology, including artificial intelligence, has created new threats to fairness and rights. And they will discuss how people, from judges to local community leaders, can find common ground around defending due process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Religion plays a prominent role in the domestic and foreign policies of Middle Eastern states, particularly in the Persian Gulf. But the ways in which religion, specifically Islam, is used as a tool of statecraft are often misunderstood, leading to mischaracterizations and counterproductive policies.In his new book, Jon Hoffman examines how Islam is marshaled as a tool of statecraft in the Middle East. The book offers new insight into the geopolitics of religion in the Middle East and how ruling elites in the region use Islam to protect and advance what are inherently political objectives—namely, regime preservation and power projection. Understanding the political incentives behind the manipulation of religion in the region is critical to debates surrounding Islam, democracy, and authoritarianism in the Middle East. The book also raises critical questions for US policy in the Middle East, which often relies on fundamental misunderstandings of Islam and its relationship with politics in the region.Join Hoffman for a discussion on Islam and Statecraft, followed by commentary by Mustafa Akyol, Peter Mandaville, and Annelle Sheline on the politics of Islam in the Middle East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this lively new history, Brian Doherty provides a concise, thorough account of the intellectual roots of the American libertarian movement, with helpful summaries of key figures, institutions, and events. Modern Libertarianism effortlessly combines historical insights and intellectual profiles of important figures—including Ludwig von Mises, F. A. Hayek, Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, Milton Friedman, and Barry Goldwater—and key institutions such as the Foundation of Economic Education and the Mont Pelerin Society.A superb introduction for the newcomer, yet rich and varied enough for those steeped in the libertarian tradition, Modern Libertarianism is a tribute to those who advocated for the cause of political liberty in America in the 20th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.