Cato Podcast

Exploring the US commitments to Taiwan, complexities in the Taiwan-US-China relationship, implications of ambiguity, Taiwan's recent presidential election, and defense recommendations for Taiwan amidst increasing hostility.

Cato adjunct, John Early, discusses the connection between human freedom and prosperity, emphasizing the importance of legal and property rights, safety, freedom to trade, lower taxation, and capital formation rate. The podcast explores contrasting economic strategies between the American consensus and Cornwall consensus, highlighting the impact on prosperity and government intervention. It also delves into the limitations of bureaucratic responses to economic changes and the role of individual decision-making in innovation.

Economic historian Phil Magness critiques proposals to tax unrealized income, debunking revenue predictions. Topics include billionaire tax, challenges of taxing unrealized gains, implications of wealth tax, inflated net worth claims, and wealth inequality narratives.

Political analyst Jon Hoffman discusses the US-Israel relationship, questioning the benefits of the $3.8 billion annual aid package. Topics include US national interests, Middle East policies, Saudi-Israel relations, and foreign policy decisions.

Financial regulation expert Jennifer Schulp discusses ways to reform the Securities and Exchange Commission, focusing on increasing regulatory comments, aligning actions with statutes, and following proper procedures. Topics include shortcomings of the SEC, public comments on rule proposals, transparency concerns in rulemaking activities, bias in ALJ process, and the importance of oversight and reform efforts.

Stephanie Slade from Reason magazine discusses how changing voter alignments impact libertarian ideas. Topics include voter attitudes towards trade, minority voters, and the influence of education levels on political affiliations. The podcast also explores the shifting landscape of political ideologies and the role of the Libertarian Party in future elections.

Walter Olson delves into separating credible election reforms from conspiracy theories, emphasizing the importance of speed, efficiency, and security in elections. Topics include paper backups, early voting, voter ID regulations, and challenges in maintaining secure and efficient elections.

Author M. Nolan Gray discusses the drawbacks of mandated parking requirements and advocates for market-driven solutions. He explores how government-imposed minimum parking rules raise costs and limit development possibilities. Cities like Buffalo and Hartford are leading the way in abolishing parking mandates to encourage more vibrant urban spaces.

Economist Bryan Cutsinger debunks the wage-price spiral theory, revealing the limited impact of unions on inflation. He explores the misconception of wage-price spirals and discusses the role of central banks in influencing inflation dynamics.

Economist Abigail Hall discusses crisis triggering government growth in nuclear proliferation context. They explore government size beyond spending metrics, ratchet effect in nuclear weapons, US policy response to threats, and implications of nuclear weapons on government power.