Cato Event Podcast

From front-page news stories featuring transcripts of wiretapped campaign officials to dramatic cyberattacks using hacking tools stolen from the National Security Agency, intelligence and surveillance issues have saturated the news in 2017. Yet there were also plenty of important surveillance stories that didn't get the exposure they deserved: the ongoing debate over reauthorizing the NSA's controversial section 702 spying authority, set to expire at year's end; the Supreme Court's pending consideration of Carpenter v. United States, which could radically alter the contours of Fourth Amendment law; law enforcement's growing reliance on sophisticated data mining to attempt to identify criminals or terrorists before they act. The Cato Institute's annual surveillance conference will gather prominent experts, policymakers, technologists, and civil society advocates to explore these issues and more—and debate how much monitoring we should accept in a society that aspires to be both safe and free. See acast.c

How is the Pentagon faring under the Trump administration? More than many administrations, the Trump administration seems determined to rely on the Department of Defense as the primary tool of U.S. foreign policy. With the President’s open acclaim for his ‘generals,’ the Pentagon looms large in today’s U.S. foreign policy.Yet the new administration’s policies also create questions about the future of U.S. defense policy, from increased deployments in the Middle East to ongoing debate over the defense budget.Join us for a live taping of our new foreign policy podcast, Power Problems, where Cato’s own Trevor Thrall and Emma Ashford offer a skeptical take on U.S. foreign policy and discuss some of today’s big questions with guests from across the political spectrum. In this episode, they sit down with Aaron Mehta, Senior Pentagon correspondent at Defense News to discuss a variety of defense-related issues. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From front-page news stories featuring transcripts of wiretapped campaign officials to dramatic cyberattacks using hacking tools stolen from the National Security Agency, intelligence and surveillance issues have saturated the news in 2017. Yet there were also plenty of important surveillance stories that didn't get the exposure they deserved: the ongoing debate over reauthorizing the NSA's controversial section 702 spying authority, set to expire at year's end; the Supreme Court's pending consideration of <em>Carpenter v. United States</em>, which could radically alter the contours of Fourth Amendment law; law enforcement's growing reliance on sophisticated data mining to attempt to identify criminals or terrorists before they act. The Cato Institute's annual surveillance conference will gather prominent experts, policymakers, technologists, and civil society advocates to explore these issues and more&mdash;and debate how much monitoring we should accept in a society that aspires to be both s

From front-page news stories featuring transcripts of wiretapped campaign officials to dramatic cyberattacks using hacking tools stolen from the National Security Agency, intelligence and surveillance issues have saturated the news in 2017. Yet there were also plenty of important surveillance stories that didn't get the exposure they deserved: the ongoing debate over reauthorizing the NSA's controversial section 702 spying authority, set to expire at year's end; the Supreme Court's pending consideration of Carpenter v. United States, which could radically alter the contours of Fourth Amendment law; law enforcement's growing reliance on sophisticated data mining to attempt to identify criminals or terrorists before they act. The Cato Institute's annual surveillance conference will gather prominent experts, policymakers, technologists, and civil society advocates to explore these issues and more—and debate how much monitoring we should accept in a society that aspires to be both safe and free. See acast.c

From front-page news stories featuring transcripts of wiretapped campaign officials to dramatic cyberattacks using hacking tools stolen from the National Security Agency, intelligence and surveillance issues have saturated the news in 2017. Yet there were also plenty of important surveillance stories that didn't get the exposure they deserved: the ongoing debate over reauthorizing the NSA's controversial section 702 spying authority, set to expire at year's end; the Supreme Court's pending consideration of Carpenter v. United States, which could radically alter the contours of Fourth Amendment law; law enforcement's growing reliance on sophisticated data mining to attempt to identify criminals or terrorists before they act. The Cato Institute's annual surveillance conference will gather prominent experts, policymakers, technologists, and civil society advocates to explore these issues and more — and debate how much monitoring we should accept in a society that aspires to be both safe and free. See acast

Some members of Congress are committed to holding the line on spending, but they face opposition from others more focused on busting spending caps and securing funds for pork programs. Yet federal deficits are soaring, and inefficient spending impedes economic growth by crowding out better state, local, and private alternatives.Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), on the discretionary side, has created a new and updated list of wasteful spending programs in his latest report, Federal Fumbles: 100 Ways the Government Dropped the Ball, vol. 3. Join the senator and leading budget experts to discuss the report and ways that fiscal hawks can cut unneeded spending today and set up responsible spending reforms for the future. Fortunately, around the world practical and successful systems are in place that U.S. lawmakers could, and should, consider emulating. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On December 5, 1933, the Twenty-First Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, supposedly ending our nation’s failed experiment with alcohol prohibition.Prohibition brought with it violence, organized crime, unsafe alcohol practices, and denial of basic civil liberties — and it almost killed the cocktail.Yet, 84 years later, we continue to feel the lingering effects of prohibition, both in policy and in culture —  from blue laws, dry counties, and state-run liquor stores to the selection of alcoholic beverages available and the culture surrounding them.On Wednesday, December 6, please join the Cato Institute for a celebration of the 84th anniversary of the repeal of alcohol prohibition and a discussion of the way in which Prohibition still impacts us today. Then, continue the conversation at a reception featuring beer, wine, and specialty Prohibition-era cocktails. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nearly four years have passed since Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity brought down the corrupt government of Viktor Yanukovych. The revolution inspired widespread support and generated hope for a better future; yet Ukrainians’ expectations are far from being met. The economy has shrunk by 16 percent; the authorities have devalued the currency and defaulted on debt; living standards have plummeted; and growth remains weak. Levels of corruption and of political and civil liberties have hardly changed. The government’s unwillingness to reform has frustrated Ukrainians and foreign allies alike. Join us to hear a panel of experts explain Ukraine’s trajectory, make policy recommendations, and discuss prospects for change. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amid much controversy, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently began dismantling the federal guidance on campus sexual assault put in place by the Obama administration. DeVos said her predecessors had created a “failed system” that served neither accuser nor accused. Ending campus sexual assault was a signature issue of the Obama administration, which waged a concerted five-year effort to end what it said was an epidemic of sexual violence on college campuses. Emily Yoffe, contributing editor at the Atlantic, recently wrote a three-part series that examined federal and school policies on campus sexual assault and documented the systematic denial of due process for the accused, the junk trauma science used in adjudications, and the disproportionate number of African American students who are punished. In conversation with the Washington Post’s Ruth Marcus, Yoffe will discuss how this issue came to grip the nation, what the proposed Trump administration changes mean, and the strange new politics of campus s

One of the “wedding vendor” cases has finally arrived at the Supreme Court. Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver, declined to make a wedding cake for a gay couple because of his religious objections to same-sex marriage. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission sued him under the state’s anti-discrimination law, eventually prevailing in state court. Phillips continues to assert his freedom of speech (more precisely, to be free from compelled speech) and freedom of religion, and the case raises other potential issues: Is there a difference between declining to serve a class of people versus a particular event? Does the level of customization of a product matter? Is artisanal baking even protected by the First Amendment? Shouldn’t all this boil down to the freedom of association — including the freedom not to associate — or maybe it’s no different than Jim Crow–era denials of service? Please join us for a spirited conversation between lawyers who filed briefs on opposite sides

Republicans in Congress are working on legislation for major tax reform. Their plan would cut the corporate tax rate and simplify individual income taxes by trimming deductions and reducing rates. Republicans and many economists argue that such reforms would boost the economy and substantially raise wages. Other economists have doubts about the proposed changes, given our large budget deficit and the apparently healthy economy.What will be the impact of tax reform on output, investment, and wages? Which corporate and individual reforms are most likely to spur growth? Kevin Hassett will address these questions in an interview, and the panel will comment on the economics of tax reform and the current legislation moving through Congress. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Trump used his recent trip to Asia to once again insist on “free, fair, and reciprocal” trade as part of a strategy to reduce bilateral trade deficits. The president also reiterated that multilateral free trade agreements are not an option for his administration, and that in order to maximize U.S. leverage, only bilateral agreements will be considered.Meanwhile, with finalization of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in sight, an announcement by the 11 remaining member countries provided a noted contrast with Trump’s rhetoric and underscored the point that the region is moving ahead on trade with or without the United States. Further, and without U.S. participation, China is leading efforts to spur new multiparty trade agreements in the Pacific region through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and in Eurasia, the Indian subcontinent, and Africa by way of the One Belt, One Road infrastructure initiative.What does it mean for regional trade liberalization as these two differing strategies pla

Throughout much of the Western world, free speech is under assault. From the Muhammad cartoon controversy in Denmark to student protests against speakers with unorthodox views on U.S. campuses, journalists, academics, and public figures must moderate their views or find themselves being prevented from speaking out. Yet freedom of speech is central to the emergence and continued survival of a liberal society. How did we come to this? According to our speakers, the spread of Marxist ideas, facilitated by the communist regimes during the Cold War and by postmodern scholarship, deserve at least part of the blame. Please join us for a discussion of some of the lasting effects of Marxism on the world today. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After more than nine years of unconventional monetary policy, it’s time to question the Fed’s strategy and offer new ideas for the future of monetary policy. At Cato’s 35th Annual Monetary Conference, leading scholars, policymakers, and journalists will examine the case for a rules-based international monetary system, consider steps to normalize monetary policy, debate the future of currency, and explore China’s future in the global monetary system. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After more than nine years of unconventional monetary policy, it’s time to question the Fed’s strategy and offer new ideas for the future of monetary policy. At Cato’s 35th Annual Monetary Conference, leading scholars, policymakers, and journalists will examine the case for a rules-based international monetary system, consider steps to normalize monetary policy, debate the future of currency, and explore China’s future in the global monetary system. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After more than nine years of unconventional monetary policy, it’s time to question the Fed’s strategy and offer new ideas for the future of monetary policy. At Cato’s 35th Annual Monetary Conference, leading scholars, policymakers, and journalists will examine the case for a rules-based international monetary system, consider steps to normalize monetary policy, debate the future of currency, and explore China’s future in the global monetary system. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After more than nine years of unconventional monetary policy, it’s time to question the Fed’s strategy and offer new ideas for the future of monetary policy. At Cato’s 35th Annual Monetary Conference, leading scholars, policymakers, and journalists will examine the case for a rules-based international monetary system, consider steps to normalize monetary policy, debate the future of currency, and explore China’s future in the global monetary system. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After more than nine years of unconventional monetary policy, it’s time to question the Fed’s strategy and offer new ideas for the future of monetary policy. At Cato’s 35th Annual Monetary Conference, leading scholars, policymakers, and journalists will examine the case for a rules-based international monetary system, consider steps to normalize monetary policy, debate the future of currency, and explore China’s future in the global monetary system. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Populism has become the main threat to liberty and liberal democracy around the world. Its appeal to nationalism and xenophobia afflicts rich and poor countries alike, and it builds its false promises on policies that ultimately aggravate social and economic problems. Mario Vargas Llosa will present a new book on populism (El estallido del populismo) and address its main themes, especially as they relate to Europe and the Americas. A discussion with Alvaro Vargas Llosa, editor of the book, and Gabriela Calderón de Burgos, contributor, will follow. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After more than nine years of unconventional monetary policy, it’s time to question the Fed’s strategy and offer new ideas for the future of monetary policy. At Cato’s 35th Annual Monetary Conference, leading scholars, policymakers, and journalists will examine the case for a rules-based international monetary system, consider steps to normalize monetary policy, debate the future of currency, and explore China’s future in the global monetary system. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.