Free Thoughts

By Libertarianism.org

What's Free Thoughts about?

A weekly show about politics and liberty, featuring conversations with top scholars, philosophers, historians, economists, and public policy experts. Hosted by Trevor Burrus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Free Thoughts episodes:

10.02.2023
Coming Soon: The Liberty Exchange
Coming soon, a brand new podcast from Libertarianism.org... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10.21.2022
Fighting Government Secrecy (with Patrick Eddington)
The Jones Act biases American shippers and shipbuilders at the expense of international competition, passing higher prices onto consumers and kneecapping free trade. The Cato Institute (and others) have been urging the government to reform this protectionist policy for several...
10.14.2022
When Is Democracy Undemocratic? (with Emily B. Finley)
The rise of global populism reveals a tension in Western thinking about democracy. Warnings about the "populist threat" to democracy and "authoritarian" populism are now commonplace. However, as Emily B. Finley argues in The Ideology of Democratism, dismissing "populism" as anti-democratic...
10.07.2022
Floods, Nuclear Power, and Wages (with Peter Van Doren)
The illustrious, ingenious, notorious PVD is back with us once again. Today, he and Trevor sit down to discuss dilemmas of flood damages following Hurricane Ian, the viability of subsidies for nuclear energy, and minimum wage increase’s effects on workers’...
09.30.2022
How the 14th Amendment Changed America (with Randy Barnett and Evan Bernick)
Adopted in 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment profoundly changed the Constitution, giving the federal judiciary and Congress new powers to protect the fundamental rights of individuals from being violated by the states. Yet, according to Randy Barnett and Evan Bernick in...
09.23.2022
Free Market: The History of an Idea (with Jacob Soll)
After two government bailouts of the US economy in less than twenty years, free market ideology is due for serious reappraisal. In his new book Free Market: The History of an Idea, MacArthur Fellow and USC professor Jacob Soll details how we...
09.16.2022
Can Public Schools Work? (with Neal McCluskey)
American public schooling was established to unify diverse people and prepare citizens for democracy. Intuitively, it would teach diverse people the same values, preferably in the same buildings, with the goal that they will learn to get along and uphold...
09.09.2022
Why More People Means More Wealth (with Marian Tupy and Gale Pooley)
Generations of people have been taught that population growth makes resources scarcer. In 2021, for example, one widely publicized report argued, “The world's rapidly growing population is consuming the planet's natural resources at an alarming rate . . . the...
09.02.2022
Racial Classification in America (with David Bernstein)
Americans are understandably squeamish about official racial and ethnic classifications. Nevertheless, they are ubiquitous in American life. Applying for a job, mortgage, university admission, citizenship, government contracts, and much more involves checking a box stating whether one is Black, White,...
08.26.2022
The Statrix: How Government Warps Our Perception of the World (Rerun)
We’re taking a break this week, but in the meantime, enjoy this treasure from the Free Thoughts vault where Trevor explains the “Statrix”, how government warps our perception of the world around us, and how it disproportionately affects the poor. Trevor...
08.19.2022
Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the Drug War (with Johann Hari)
We’re taking a break this week, but in the meantime, enjoy this treasure from the Free Thoughts vault with writer and journalist Johann Hari to discuss his book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on...
08.12.2022
The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge (with Matt Ridley) (Rerun)
We’re taking a break from new episodes for a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy this treasure from the Free Thoughts vault where Matt Ridley joins us t to discuss his book, The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas...
08.05.2022
Black Liberation Through the Marketplace (with Rachel Ferguson and Marcus Witcher)
Rachel Ferguson and Marcus Witcher’s new book, Black Liberation Through the Marketplace: Hope, Heartbreak, and the Promise of America, chronicles the achievements and failures of market-based attempts to achievement liberation for the Black community throughout American history. From the great...
07.29.2022
How Evil are Politicians? (with Bryan Caplan)
What is the difference between demagoguery and political strategy? It may be tough to tell, but Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University and author of the new collection How Evil Are Politicians?: Essays on Demagoguery has a few...
07.22.2022
Inflation! (with Norbert Michel)
What can hurricanes teach us about supply side shocks? Norbert Michel, vice president and director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, joins the show to explain the Consumer Price Index, how the Federal Reserve responds, and...
07.15.2022
What’s Wrong with Zoning (with M. Nolan Gray)
One border libertarians might be curious about lies between what zoning is and what zoning is not. M. Nolan Gray, author of the new book, “Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It” joins the...
07.08.2022
Forensic Frauds and Criminal Justice (with M. Chris Fabricant)
How did bite mark analysis become one of the most misunderstood forms of forensics evidence in our criminal justice system? M. Chris Fabricant of the Innocence Project is leading the fight to bring accurate scientific analysis to the courtroom. He...
07.01.2022
Conservatism Vs. The Right (with Matthew Continetti)
Where has the right gone wrong? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06.27.2022
The Socialist Temptation (with Iain Murray)
Socialism isn’t what is used to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06.17.2022
A Conversation About Guns (with Clark Neily)
Why are gun-targeting policies ineffective and impractical, and what can we do instead to stop gun violence, while still respecting everyone’s rights? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06.10.2022
Why Did America Invade Iraq? (with Michael Mazarr)
A story of faithful foreign policy failure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
06.03.2022
Seven Deadly Economic Sins
Is the “right” life the same for you as it is for others? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
05.27.2022
What Broke American Health Care?
Why does your employer pay for your health coverage? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
05.20.2022
Big Tech & Free Speech
Why are we talking about “Big Tech” now in a way we we weren’t 5 years ago? Cato’s own Matthew Feeney and Will Duffield join Trevor to discuss how the 2016 election changed the political landscape, the value of moderation,...
05.12.2022
Real Economics (with Peter Boettke)
Peter Boettke’s liberal lineage in the academy illuminates his economic expertise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
05.06.2022
Justice Before the Law (with Michael Huemer)
Is it true that, “an unjust law is no law at all?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
04.29.2022
Why Privacy Matters (with Neil Richards)
Privacy may seem simple, but it’s much harder to define than it seems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
04.22.2022
Free Speech, A History (with Jacob Mchangama)
Where does our idea of free speech come from and why is it so powerful? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
04.15.2022
The ABCs of Inflation
Not to burst your bubble—but inflation is at the highest it has been for the past 40 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
04.08.2022
Growing up in the USSR
Was the USSR an evil empire? Cathy Young thinks the answer is quite simple—yes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
04.01.2022
The DNA of War (with Andrew Heaton)
Andrew Heaton presents “International Relations Theory for Dummies” (his words, not ours). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03.25.2022
Poverty in the Golden State (with Michael Tanner)
California has had solid economic growth recently, pockets of vast wealth, and an extensive social safety net—yet it also has the highest poverty rate of all 50 states. What makes California so strange in terms of poverty and inequality? Michael...
03.18.2022
Labor Econ Versus the World (with Bryan Caplan)
Bryan Caplan joins Trevor to explain how everything from immigration, education, workplace issues, and more are all part of labor economics (and why that matters). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03.11.2022
American Terror After 9/11 (with Spencer Ackerman)
Spencer Ackerman joins Trevor to discuss how the events of September 11th, 2001 changed terrorism from “something some people do” into “something some people are”; creating an opportunity for authoritarian violence, unfettered surveillance, and nationalist populism to grow. Hosted on...
03.04.2022
Aaron's Farewell to Free Thoughts
After nearly a decade of hosting Free Thoughts, this is Aaron’s last episode. Trevor sits down with him to discuss how they met, how they’ve changed since then, and what they hope listeners take away from their time together. Hosted...
02.25.2022
Is Nuclear Power Worth It? (with Peter Van Doren)
The "Notorious PVD" sits down with Aaron and Trevor to discuss his knowledge of nuclear regulation, gas taxes, roving motorcycle gangs, and the purpose of intellectual inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
02.18.2022
The Philosophy of Honesty (with Christian Miller)
Everyone values honesty, but figuring out just what it entails can be difficult. In today's episode, we're joined by philosopher Christian Miller to discuss what it means to be honest and which features of our environment can push us towards...
02.11.2022
The Allure of the “Natural” (with Alan Levinovitz)
Natural foods. Natural medicine. Natural living. They all sound good, and lots of people tell us we need more of them, and that government policy should support them. The trouble is, as guest Alan Levinovitz explains, nailing down just what...
02.05.2022
How to Protect Our Elections (with Walter Olson and Andy Craig)
Are elections really under more threat than they have been? Is there more fraud than there used to be? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
01.28.2022
How Prisons are Governed (with David Skarbek)
Why are prisons so different from nation to nation? And how are these institutions governed internally and externally? David Skarbek sits down with Trevor and Aaron to explore differing methods of incarceration, the issues with each method, and how, or...
01.21.2022
How The Force Can Fix The World (with Stephen Kent)
The Star Wars saga isn't just an epic story of galactic conflict. It's also a moral parable, exploring virtues, and probing questions of how to live, and how to live with each other. Stephen Kent, author of How the Force...
01.14.2022
Punishment Without Trial (with Carissa Byrne Hessick)
Carissa Byrne Hessick joins the podcast to discuss the fact that 97% of convictions in the United States every year are the result of people pleading guilty, often via a plea bargain, rather than having a trial before a jury of their peers....
01.07.2022
Rerun: Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future
Johan Norberg joins Trevor this week to talk about the notion of progress and gives us all a few reasons to look forward to the future. Why is there a systemic bias towards pessimism when hard data shows the world is getting better...
12.31.2021
Rerun: Why Can't You Email Your Doctor?
Dr. Ryan Neuhofel joins us this week to talk about his practice, NeuCare, which is a very different way to approach primary care medicine in the United States. What is direct primary care? How should health insurance work, and how is...
12.24.2021
Rerun: Lessons from a Bank-Robbing Law Professor
Shon Hopwood joins us this week to tell about his journey from bank robber to federal prisoner to U.S. Supreme Court practitioner and Georgetown law professor. What’s it like in federal prison? How did Hopwood become a jailhouse lawyer? If people do...
12.17.2021
Tech Panic (with Robby Soave)
Not so long ago, we embraced social media as a life‐changing opportunity to connect with friends and family from across the world. But now, many people are choosing to see or argue the negative impact of social media and large tech...
12.10.2021
Do Markets Make Us Worse? (with Ginny Choi)
Individuals like to argue that as we engage in market activity, the more likely we are to become selfish & corrupt. Even Adam Smith, who famously celebrated markets, believed that there were moral costs associated with life in market societies....
12.03.2021
A Libertarian in Government (with Mark Calabria)
Mark Calabria is the former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates and supervises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. During his service at the agency, Calabria led the response to COVID-19, as well...
11.26.2021
Rerun: Remaining Grateful with Steven Horwitz
Steve knows the world has truly gotten better for human beings. Not enough people recognize or appreciate that. We hope that this episode inspires you to help a neighbor or call a friend. How does gratitude compare to resentment? Do we have the...
11.19.2021
Nationalism in America
Samuel Goldman highlights three pillars of mid-twentieth-century nationalism, all of which are absent today: the social dominance of Protestant Christianity, the absorption of European immigrants in a broader white identity, and the defense of democracy abroad. Most of today's nationalists...

What's Free Thoughts about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Free Thoughts episodes:

Coming Soon: The Liberty Exchange

Fighting Government Secrecy (with Patrick Eddington)

When Is Democracy Undemocratic? (with Emily B. Finley)

Floods, Nuclear Power, and Wages (with Peter Van Doren)

How the 14th Amendment Changed America (with Randy Barnett and Evan Bernick)

Free Market: The History of an Idea (with Jacob Soll)

Can Public Schools Work? (with Neal McCluskey)

Why More People Means More Wealth (with Marian Tupy and Gale Pooley)

Racial Classification in America (with David Bernstein)

The Statrix: How Government Warps Our Perception of the World (Rerun)

Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the Drug War (with Johann Hari)

The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge (with Matt Ridley) (Rerun)

Black Liberation Through the Marketplace (with Rachel Ferguson and Marcus Witcher)

How Evil are Politicians? (with Bryan Caplan)

Inflation! (with Norbert Michel)

What’s Wrong with Zoning (with M. Nolan Gray)

Forensic Frauds and Criminal Justice (with M. Chris Fabricant)

Conservatism Vs. The Right (with Matthew Continetti)

The Socialist Temptation (with Iain Murray)

A Conversation About Guns (with Clark Neily)

Why Did America Invade Iraq? (with Michael Mazarr)

Seven Deadly Economic Sins

What Broke American Health Care?

Big Tech & Free Speech

Real Economics (with Peter Boettke)

Justice Before the Law (with Michael Huemer)

Why Privacy Matters (with Neil Richards)

Free Speech, A History (with Jacob Mchangama)

The ABCs of Inflation

Growing up in the USSR

The DNA of War (with Andrew Heaton)

Poverty in the Golden State (with Michael Tanner)

Labor Econ Versus the World (with Bryan Caplan)

American Terror After 9/11 (with Spencer Ackerman)

Aaron's Farewell to Free Thoughts

Is Nuclear Power Worth It? (with Peter Van Doren)

The Philosophy of Honesty (with Christian Miller)

The Allure of the “Natural” (with Alan Levinovitz)

How to Protect Our Elections (with Walter Olson and Andy Craig)

How Prisons are Governed (with David Skarbek)

How The Force Can Fix The World (with Stephen Kent)

Punishment Without Trial (with Carissa Byrne Hessick)

Rerun: Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future

Rerun: Why Can't You Email Your Doctor?

Rerun: Lessons from a Bank-Robbing Law Professor

Tech Panic (with Robby Soave)

Do Markets Make Us Worse? (with Ginny Choi)

A Libertarian in Government (with Mark Calabria)

Rerun: Remaining Grateful with Steven Horwitz

Nationalism in America