Cato Podcast

Doug Bandow, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, dives into the surprising involvement of North and South Korean soldiers in the Ukraine conflict. He unpacks the risks this poses to U.S. interests and global alliances amid escalating military tensions. Bandow discusses South Korea's careful position and the intricate relationships shaping the conflict. He highlights the need for cautious diplomacy to prevent unintended consequences and suggests that sports could provide a peaceful way to resolve international disputes.

Congress has broadly delegated its tariff powers to the president. There is a real risk that the legislative and judicial branches would not check a future president’s abuse of US trade law as currently written. Cato's Clark Packard provides details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Bier, a scholar at the Cato Institute, dives into the world of digital nomads—remote workers thriving without a fixed home. He highlights the unclear rules that make the U.S. less inviting for these travelers. The discussion emphasizes the need for clearer immigration policies to support digital nomads, who contribute positively to the economy. Bier also sheds light on the challenges they face, including the absence of dedicated visas and inconsistent responses from consular officers regarding their work. A call for a more inclusive approach follows.

Jai Kedia, a research fellow at the Cato Institute specializing in monetary policy, dives deep into the evolving role of the Federal Reserve's federal funds rate. They discuss how the rate’s influence has waned since the 2008 financial crisis and question its continued relevance in today's economy. Kedia emphasizes the need to focus on alternative metrics like reserve rates and advocates for restoring the federal funds rate as an effective monetary tool. The insights challenge common perceptions and offer a fresh perspective on monetary policy.

China's irregular military exercises around Taiwan express Beijing's displeasure with Taiwanese leadership, so how seriously should the US take those demonstrations? Eric Gomez comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Protectionist measures like tariffs often harm the very firms and people they're supposed to help. Paul Best explains in a new piece in Free Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Matzko discusses some of the long history of American-style mashups of faith traditions and the direction of government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kerry McDonald, a Cato adjunct scholar, discusses the explosion of educational entrepreneurship post-pandemic. She explores the rise of innovative learning environments such as micro-schools and homeschooling, particularly among minority families seeking personalized solutions. McDonald highlights the regulatory hurdles education entrepreneurs face, contrasting the progress in states like Utah with stricter policies in places like Massachusetts. She emphasizes how these challenges often stem from existing laws, advocating for more flexibility to foster diverse educational models.

The freedom to trade is morally good. Congress has sadly delegated many of its powers over trade to the White House. That poses particular risks today. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) discusses his efforts at reclaiming legislative power over trade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As many voters will consider changes to voting processes, what does recent experience tell us about ranked-choice voting? Walter Olson explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.