Cato Event Podcast

In National Security and Double Government, Michael Glennon examines the continuity in U.S. national security policy from the Bush administration to the Obama administration. Glennon explains the lack of change by pointing to the enervation of America's "Madisonian institutions," namely, the Congress, the presidency, and the courts. In Glennon's view, these institutions have been supplanted by a "Trumanite network" of bureaucrats who make up the permanent national security state. National security policymaking has been removed from public view and largely insulated from law and politics. Glennon warns that leaving security policy in the hands of the Trumanite network threatens Americans' liberties and the republican form of government. Please join us for a discussion of this timely book. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

American cities, once economic and social launching pads for residents, are all too often plagued by poverty and decay. One need only look at the ruins of Detroit to see how far some once-great cities have fallen, or at Boston and San Francisco for evidence that such decline is reversible. In Boom Towns, Stephen J. K. Walters argues that commonplace explanations for urban decay are seriously incomplete. He reconceives of cities as dense accumulations of capital in all of its forms—which makes our labor more productive and our leisure more pleasurable. Policymakers, therefore, must properly define and enforce property rights in order to prevent the flight of capital that weakens urban centers. With its fresh interpretation of one of the quandaries of our day, Boom Towns offers a novel contribution to the debate about American cities and a program for their restoration. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Evidence from academic institutions and international organizations shows dramatic improvements in human well-being. These improvements are especially striking in the developing world. Unfortunately, there is often a wide gap between reality and public perceptions, including that of many policymakers, scholars in unrelated fields, and intelligent lay persons. To make matters worse, the media emphasizes bad news, while ignoring many positive long-term trends. Please join us for a discussion of psychological, physiological, cultural, and other social reasons for the persistence of pessimism in the age of growing abundance.Follow HumanProgress.org on Twitter at @HumanProgress and use #HPpinker. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What happens if you throw a depression and nobody from the government shows up? No Quantitative Easers or fiscal stimulators or financial-firm rescuers? And what would happen if, instead of lowering interest rates and spending more to spur recovery, the government did nothing? The answer, in 1921 at least, is that the economy not only recovers but is "roaring" in less than two years. Was "The Crash that Cured Itself," as the subtitle of James Grant's fascinating new book refers to it, a fluke, or does it offer useful lessons for today's erstwhile depression fighters?Join us to hear James Grant, Jim Powell, and Lawrence H. White discuss this and other important questions raised by Grant's stimulating new book. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Journalists face constant intimidation. Whether it takes the extreme form of beheadings, death threats, government censorship or simply political correctness—it casts a shadow over their ability to tell a story.No one knows this better than Flemming Rose, the editor at the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten who, in 2006, published cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, inciting a worldwide firestorm. In his new book, The Tyranny of Silence: How One Cartoon Ignited a Global Debate on the Future of Free Speech he not only recounts that story, but takes a hard look at the slippery slope of attempts to limit free speech.Rose writes about the people and experiences that have influenced the way he views the world and his understanding of the crisis, including meetings with dissidents from the former Soviet Union and ex-Muslims living in Europe. Rose offers more than a personal account of a riveting event. He defends freedom of speech as essential to a world that is increasingly multicultural, multireligious, and multiethn

CATO'S 32ND ANNUAL MONETARY CONFERENCE —will bring together leading scholars and advocates for fundamental monetary reform to discuss:The bitcoin revolution and future of crypto-currenciesHow technology will drive further innovations so that private currencies become a realityThe role of gold in a decentralized monetary regimeThe steps necessary to return to constitutional money based on the convertibility principle and free bankingWhen the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, its powers were limited and the United States was still on the gold standard. Today the Fed has virtually unlimited power and the dollar has no backing. Limited, constitutional government requires a rules based, free-market monetary system with a stable-valued dollar, not the topsy-turvy fiat dollar that now exists under central banking. This conference will examine the case for sound money and the reforms needed to realize it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CATO'S 32ND ANNUAL MONETARY CONFERENCE —will bring together leading scholars and advocates for fundamental monetary reform to discuss:The bitcoin revolution and future of crypto-currenciesHow technology will drive further innovations so that private currencies become a realityThe role of gold in a decentralized monetary regimeThe steps necessary to return to constitutional money based on the convertibility principle and free bankingWhen the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, its powers were limited and the United States was still on the gold standard. Today the Fed has virtually unlimited power and the dollar has no backing. Limited, constitutional government requires a rules based, free-market monetary system with a stable-valued dollar, not the topsy-turvy fiat dollar that now exists under central banking. This conference will examine the case for sound money and the reforms needed to realize it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CATO'S 32ND ANNUAL MONETARY CONFERENCE —will bring together leading scholars and advocates for fundamental monetary reform to discuss:The bitcoin revolution and future of crypto-currenciesHow technology will drive further innovations so that private currencies become a realityThe role of gold in a decentralized monetary regimeThe steps necessary to return to constitutional money based on the convertibility principle and free bankingWhen the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, its powers were limited and the United States was still on the gold standard. Today the Fed has virtually unlimited power and the dollar has no backing. Limited, constitutional government requires a rules based, free-market monetary system with a stable-valued dollar, not the topsy-turvy fiat dollar that now exists under central banking. This conference will examine the case for sound money and the reforms needed to realize it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CATO'S 32ND ANNUAL MONETARY CONFERENCE —will bring together leading scholars and advocates for fundamental monetary reform to discuss:The bitcoin revolution and future of crypto-currenciesHow technology will drive further innovations so that private currencies become a realityThe role of gold in a decentralized monetary regimeThe steps necessary to return to constitutional money based on the convertibility principle and free bankingWhen the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, its powers were limited and the United States was still on the gold standard. Today the Fed has virtually unlimited power and the dollar has no backing. Limited, constitutional government requires a rules based, free-market monetary system with a stable-valued dollar, not the topsy-turvy fiat dollar that now exists under central banking. This conference will examine the case for sound money and the reforms needed to realize it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CATO'S 32ND ANNUAL MONETARY CONFERENCE —will bring together leading scholars and advocates for fundamental monetary reform to discuss:The bitcoin revolution and future of crypto-currenciesHow technology will drive further innovations so that private currencies become a realityThe role of gold in a decentralized monetary regimeThe steps necessary to return to constitutional money based on the convertibility principle and free bankingWhen the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, its powers were limited and the United States was still on the gold standard. Today the Fed has virtually unlimited power and the dollar has no backing. Limited, constitutional government requires a rules based, free-market monetary system with a stable-valued dollar, not the topsy-turvy fiat dollar that now exists under central banking. This conference will examine the case for sound money and the reforms needed to realize it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CATO'S 32ND ANNUAL MONETARY CONFERENCE —will bring together leading scholars and advocates for fundamental monetary reform to discuss:The bitcoin revolution and future of crypto-currenciesHow technology will drive further innovations so that private currencies become a realityThe role of gold in a decentralized monetary regimeThe steps necessary to return to constitutional money based on the convertibility principle and free bankingWhen the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, its powers were limited and the United States was still on the gold standard. Today the Fed has virtually unlimited power and the dollar has no backing. Limited, constitutional government requires a rules based, free-market monetary system with a stable-valued dollar, not the topsy-turvy fiat dollar that now exists under central banking. This conference will examine the case for sound money and the reforms needed to realize it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Ivory Tower is changing. People want to acquire new skills more often, get degrees later in life, and do so on schedules convenient to their packed lives. In response, new options are popping up all over, including online classes, for-profit institutions, and competency-based programs. How should federal policy deal with this fast-changing landscape? And what do the midterm election results, due the night before the forum, bode for federal policy? Please join us to discuss these big questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2014 midterm elections are being held at a time when libertarian ideas are ascending. But will more influence and media attention translate into electoral victories? Will the makeup of the next Congress be conducive or detrimental to the advancement of free markets and individual liberty? Join us for an election recap and discussion of the state of libertarian ideas in various races and prospects for the next Congress. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What is the proper role of the Supreme Court under the Constitution? Should the Court be "active" or "restrained"? Or is that even the proper way to look at the question, however much we've heard it put that way for several decades now? In his new book, Damon Root traces this debate from the Constitution's conception to the present. His central focus, however, is on the emergence of the modern libertarian approach, which cuts through the often sterile debate between liberals and conservatives and points to the Constitution itself by way of determining the proper role of the Court under it. Please join us for a refreshing account of this recent history. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Pruitt v. Burwell and Halbig v. Burwell, federal courts have ruled that the Internal Revenue Service is misinterpreting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, unlawfully paying billions of dollars to private health insurance companies, and unlawfully subjecting more than 50 million individuals and employers to the Act's individual and employer mandates. In King v. Burwell, another federal court found the IRS's interpretation is permissible. A fourth lawsuit, Indiana v. IRS, is due a ruling at any time.While these cases attempt to uphold the ACA by challenging the Obama administration's interpretation, supporters and critics agree they could have as large an impact on the law as any constitutional challenge. Is the IRS acting within the confines of the law? Is the ACA unworkable as written? Is it inevitable that the Supreme Court will hear one of these cases, or a similar challenge yet to be filed? What is the impact of the IRS's (mis)interpretation? What impact would a ruling for the plaintiffs ha

In Pruitt v. Burwell and Halbig v. Burwell, federal courts have ruled that the Internal Revenue Service is misinterpreting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, unlawfully paying billions of dollars to private health insurance companies, and unlawfully subjecting more than 50 million individuals and employers to the Act's individual and employer mandates. In King v. Burwell, another federal court found the IRS's interpretation is permissible. A fourth lawsuit, Indiana v. IRS, is due a ruling at any time.While these cases attempt to uphold the ACA by challenging the Obama administration's interpretation, supporters and critics agree they could have as large an impact on the law as any constitutional challenge. Is the IRS acting within the confines of the law? Is the ACA unworkable as written? Is it inevitable that the Supreme Court will hear one of these cases, or a similar challenge yet to be filed? What is the impact of the IRS's (mis)interpretation? What impact would a ruling for the plaintiffs ha

In Pruitt v. Burwell and Halbig v. Burwell, federal courts have ruled that the Internal Revenue Service is misinterpreting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, unlawfully paying billions of dollars to private health insurance companies, and unlawfully subjecting more than 50 million individuals and employers to the Act's individual and employer mandates. In King v. Burwell, another federal court found the IRS's interpretation is permissible. A fourth lawsuit, Indiana v. IRS, is due a ruling at any time.While these cases attempt to uphold the ACA by challenging the Obama administration's interpretation, supporters and critics agree they could have as large an impact on the law as any constitutional challenge. Is the IRS acting within the confines of the law? Is the ACA unworkable as written? Is it inevitable that the Supreme Court will hear one of these cases, or a similar challenge yet to be filed? What is the impact of the IRS's (mis)interpretation? What impact would a ruling for the plaintiffs ha

In Pruitt v. Burwell and Halbig v. Burwell, federal courts have ruled that the Internal Revenue Service is misinterpreting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, unlawfully paying billions of dollars to private health insurance companies, and unlawfully subjecting more than 50 million individuals and employers to the Act's individual and employer mandates. In King v. Burwell, another federal court found the IRS's interpretation is permissible. A fourth lawsuit, Indiana v. IRS, is due a ruling at any time.While these cases attempt to uphold the ACA by challenging the Obama administration's interpretation, supporters and critics agree they could have as large an impact on the law as any constitutional challenge. Is the IRS acting within the confines of the law? Is the ACA unworkable as written? Is it inevitable that the Supreme Court will hear one of these cases, or a similar challenge yet to be filed? What is the impact of the IRS's (mis)interpretation? What impact would a ruling for the plaintiffs ha

When the Federal Reserve was founded in 1913, it was with the purpose of providing for a stable monetary and financial system. However, the Great Depression, the Great Inflation, and the Panic of 2008 serve as serious reminders of the Fed’s failure to achieve its original mission. Yet, despite this record, the Fed’s regulation of the economy has expanded. After a century, it is time to judge the Federal Reserve’s history and evaluate alternatives to central banking. To that end, the Cato Institute has established the Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, which will focus on the development of policy recommendations that will create a more free-market monetary system in the United States. Please join Cato’s scholars for a discussion on how the Cato Institute’s new center seeks to educate the public and elected officials on the need for a monetary system that is consistent with the rule of law and genuine competition. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Police misconduct and abuse have been getting a lot of extra media attention lately. In just the past few months, Americans have been horrified by stories of grenades thrown in children's cribs, homeless men beaten to death, unwarranted anal probes, and more. The outrage in Ferguson underscored the rapid growth in police militarization, highlighting the perceived code of silence upheld by those behind the "thin blue line" and driving demand for more accountability among the nation's law enforcement officers. Could cameras offer a viable solution to the problems at hand?Does filming police make for more accountable law enforcement? Will on-body cameras (such as those recently adopted by D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department as part of a pilot program) force accountability, or will they suffer form the same problems that have plagued existing cameras placed in police vehicles? What are your rights as a citizen journalist when it comes to filming police actions in a public space?Join us for a lunchtime discussio