In another episode, we interview Simon Lee, co-founder of The Lion Rock Institute and a columnist for Apple Daily. We speak to him on the impact of COVID-19 in Hong Kong and the National Security Law. Simon argues that the coronavirus was well-managed by people and corporations, with government responses being a lagging indicator. Simon also warns about the incursion of China into Hong Kong and how this does not bode well for the future. 

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Tom Palmer on the phenomenon of economic inequality, and whether that is worth a policy response. Particularly, we deal with the arguments made by the French economist Thomas Piketty and his proposal for the wealth tax. Dr Palmer astutely points out the theoretical gaps in Piketty's analysis, and shows that such interventionist policies may indeed do more harm than good. 

Those interested in a deeper analysis of Thomas Piketty and his policy proposals may find this article useful. For a full-length critique of Thomas Piketty's theoretical apparatus and empirical findings, see here. 

Dr Tom Palmer is the George M. Yeager Chair for Advancing Liberty and Executive Vice President for International Programs at the Atlas Network and is responsible for establishing operating programs in 14 languages and managing programs for a worldwide network of think tanks. He is also a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and director of Cato University.

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Tom Palmer on why some nations are rich but others are poor. With an understanding of the causes of prosperity, we can better understand how to target our policy and humanitarian efforts. Dr Palmer shows that the best way to promote prosperity is to empower people on the ground, and give them the chance to make wealth. 

Dr. Palmer has vast practical experience advising local think tanks in developing countries, in their effort to promote pro-development economic policies. He is the George M. Yeager Chair for Advancing Liberty and Executive Vice President for International Programs at the Atlas Network and is responsible for establishing operating programs in 14 languages and managing programs for a worldwide network of think tanks. He is also a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and director of Cato University.

In this episode, we speak to Dr Steve Davies about the Great Political Realignment, which refers to a shift in the way politics is being structured today in many developed Western democracies. This is associated with current trends such as the rise of populist parties today, driven by concerns about how economic disparities result from economic globalization, and the deeply felt fear of cultural / national identity being eroded. 

He has written a long form article on this issue which may be read here. 

Dr Steve Davies is the Head of Education at the Institute for Economic Affairs in London, one of the UK's leading think tanks. He was also previously a lecturer in the Department of History and Economic History at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has recently authored a book on the Wealth Explosion: The Nature and Origins of Modernity.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. David Hart, who shares is thoughts with us about the history of classical liberal ideas. We discuss some of the key thinkers of the past few centuries who have been instrumental in making the case for a free society. We also discuss some of the pushback against classical liberal ideas in the 19th century and early 20th century. 

Dr. David Hart was born and raised in Sydney, Australia and has degrees from Stanford University and King’s College, Cambridge. He taught history at the University of Adelaide from 1986-2001 and was the Director of the Online Library of Liberty Project at Liberty Fund in Indianapolis from 2001-2019. He is author, editor and thought leader on liberty and a range of related issues. His research interests include the history of classical liberal thought in general, and the French classical liberal tradition in particular. He is the Academic Editor of Liberty Fund’s translation of the Collected Works of Frédéric Bastiat (19th century French economist, writer, member of the French National Assembly and of the French Liberal School; developed the economic concept of opportunity cost). Recent publications include a chapter on “The Paris School of Liberal Political Economy, 1803-1853” for the Cambridge History of French Thought (2019) and the anthology Social Class and State Power (Palgrave, 2018) on classical liberal class analysis. In his spare time, he has also written a screenplay for a film on the activities of Frédéric Bastiat during the 1848 Revolution in Paris.

In this episode, we speak with Mr Jack Ma Jun Jie on the China model of governance, which has been highly rated as the wave of the future, and which may replace the Western model of liberal capitalist democracy. Jun Jie is the Director of ENC International Advisory Group, a think tank based in China. 

This episode features Mr Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute for Economic Affairs, Britain's premier pro-market think tank. Mr Snowdon is the author of many books and publications, including one in 2017 titled Killjoys: A Critique of Paternalism. 

This episode features Professor Randall Holcombe from Florida State University, who explains what's missing in mainstream economics: institutions and how they influence human interactions and economic outcomes. He also discusses institutions and economic growth in China and provides valuable advice to economics students. 

Today I speak to Dr. Patrick Mardini, Professor of Finance at University of Balamand, Lebanon on the topic of financial instability, why financial crises happen and how governments can prevent this.