On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram talks with Erik Matson, deputy director of the Adam Smith Program in the Department of Economics at George Mason University. The Adam Smith Program "explores the moral and economic philosophy of Smith and related thinkers, through professional scholarship, doctoral dissertations, graduate seminars, reading groups, and special projects." Matson talks about the philosophies of Smith and why they're still relevant today, why we should trust people to make the right decisions, and whether free markets have a P.R. problem. Also, what the heck is the "invisible hand," anyway? You can find more at adamsmithprogram.org.

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On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram talks with Kent Lassman, president and CEO at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Competitive Enterprise Institute "develops and advocates policies to eliminate harmful bureaucratic controls so people can live in a freer, healthier, and more prosperous nation." Lassman talks about the effects of the recent SCOTUS opinion on West Virginia v. EPA, what the free market should be trusted with something as important as energy, and the role of those who benefit from the free market in defending the philosophy. Also, where are some on the right in the wrong when it comes to liberty? You can follow him on Twitter at @KentatCEI. CEI is on Twitter @ceidotorg. You can find more at cei.org.

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On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram talks with Tony Woodlief, Executive Vice President at the State Policy Network. State Policy Network is a nonprofit "dedicated to building and mobilizing a durable state-based infrastructure for freedom." Woodlief talks about what it means to be nonpartisan, how to get voters focused on local issues, and why the restoration of individual rights and local governance is a key to conservatism's future. Also, what good are "think tanks," anyway? You can follow him on Twitter at @tonywoodlief. State Policy Network is on Twitter @StatePolicy.

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On the inaugural episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram talks with Katherine Mangu-Ward, the editor in chief of Reason. Reason is published by The Reason Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing free minds and free markets. Mangu-Ward talks about the friction between the libertarian movement and the Libertarian party, issues on which the two major parties have moved closer to the libertarian philosophy, and the dilemma of politicians sacrificing long-term-planning for short-term gains. Also, if Americans are thirsty for an alternative to Democrats and Republicans, why haven’t Libertarians performed better at the polls? You can follow her on Twitter at @kmanguward. The Reason Foundation is on Twitter @ReasonFDN.

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