Cato Podcast
Cato Institute
Each week on Cato Podcast, leading scholars and policymakers from the Cato Institute delve into the big ideas shaping our world: individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Whether unpacking current events, debating civil liberties, exploring technological innovation, or tracing the history of classical liberal thought, we promise insightful analysis grounded in rigorous research and Cato’s signature libertarian perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Nov 27, 2023 • 10min
Illinois Handed Immense Power to Government Unions, So How's It Going?
Mailee Smith evaluates the immense power granted to government unions in Illinois. The podcast discusses the influence of government unions, the dynamics of collective bargaining, and the potential impact of this power on other states.
Nov 24, 2023 • 12min
What Does OPEC Do and Should We Care?
This podcast challenges the conventional belief about OPEC's power and explores the limitations they face in controlling oil production. It addresses the misconceptions about OPEC's role in the gas lines of the 70s and discusses the political importance of blaming OPEC for gasoline price fluctuations.
Nov 23, 2023 • 13min
One Local Impediment to Free-Range Kids
This podcast explores the challenges of allowing children to have independence and the lack of local infrastructure to support it. It discusses the trend of allowing unsupervised children in public and the connection between cooperation, trust, and free-range kids. The risks of not developing essential life skills and the importance of supporting the independence of young people are also discussed.
Nov 22, 2023 • 11min
What Incentives Do State Regulators Face?
Explore the similarities and differences between federal and state regulation. Discuss lawmakers' lack of review process for rules and regulations. Examine the accountability of regulatory agencies and methods for measuring the impact of new laws. Discover the skepticism of fiscal notes and efforts to eliminate Chevron deference in state courts.
Nov 21, 2023 • 9min
Is Javier Milei, Argentina's Next President, A Libertarian?
Javier Milei, a supporter of free trade, dollarization, and big cuts to the public sector, discusses his platform as a potential president of Argentina. Topics include trade openness in Argentina, potential dollarization, benefits of dollarization in Latin America, policy preferences of Mr. Milei, and the challenges he faces in his presidential campaign.
Nov 21, 2023 • 13min
Cataloging the Myriad Ways You Can Land in Jail
The podcast discusses the growth of criminal penalties and the challenges in cataloging them, including the increase in federal crimes. It explores the surge in federal crimes and the acts responsible for it. The concept of low hanging fruit is explored to address overcriminalization. The federalization of crimes and the proliferation of criminal laws is discussed, along with the impact on victimless crimes and the conflict between state and federal jurisdiction.
Nov 20, 2023 • 13min
Taiwan's Defense and US Policy
The podcast discusses Taiwan's security problem with mainland China, the US's relationship with Taiwan, and the concept of strategic ambiguity. It emphasizes the need for the US to use its political leverage and suggests linking weapon commitments to Taiwanese actions. The importance of prioritizing Taiwan's self-defense transformation over symbolic gestures is also highlighted, along with the backlog of US weapon commitments to Taiwan.
Nov 17, 2023 • 17min
Are Public School Libraries Accomplishing Their Mission?
Public school libraries face challenges in achieving balance and including diverse viewpoints. The accessibility of these libraries often lacks balanced viewpoints. The selection process of books in school libraries may be influenced by biases, lack of research, and targeting strategies. Biases present in public school libraries raise questions about the role of libraries and advocate for school choice.
Nov 17, 2023 • 23min
Expiring Authority for Warrantless Surveillance Meets Resistance
A bipartisan group in Congress is pushing for surveillance reform before reauthorization, including a warrant requirement and more oversight. The podcast discusses criticism of electronic surveillance and limitations of proposed bills. It also highlights instances of abuse and lack of oversight. Concerns about government actions to bypass expiration and proposals for a data-driven approach are also discussed.
Nov 13, 2023 • 18min
The New Right Gets Mugged by an Old Reality
The podcast explores the impact of heavy-handed government approaches to trade and regulation, skepticism towards government intervention, and the unrealistic nature of the new right's support for industrial policy and antitrust regulation. It also discusses the fallacy of political gaming in free market and interventionist policies, highlighting how only interventionist policies maintain or expand the government's role in the economy.
