

Hayek Program Podcast
F.A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
The Hayek Program Podcast includes audio from lectures, interviews, and discussions of scholars and visitors from the F. A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. The F. A. Hayek Program is devoted to the promotion of teaching and research on the institutional arrangements that are suitable for the support of free and prosperous societies. Implicit in this statement is the presumption that those arrangements are to some extent open to conscious selection, as well as the appreciation that the type of arrangements that are selected within a society can influence significantly the economic, political, and moral character of that society.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 14, 2022 • 1h 13min
In Search of Monsters to Destroy — Peter Boettke & Chris Coyne
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, Peter Boettke & Chris Coyne discuss Coyne's latest book, In Search of Monsters to Destroy. After 9/11, the United States tried to establish liberal political regimes in the Middle East and in the mountains of Afghanistan—but the effort, according to Coyne, was doomed to fail as illiberal means can lead only to illiberal ends. Boettke & Coyne discuss the ways in which these illiberal means have failed to produce a liberal empire and examine whether interventionist methods ever have a place in foreign policy. Additionally, Coyne reveals his picks for those who have best upheld liberal traditions in foreign policy as well as those who ultimately disappointed in their interventionist views.If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.The Hayek Program Podcast now has merchandise available! Visit our merch store and use promo code "hayek" to take 10% off your order.More books from Chris Coyne and Abigail R. Hall are available, such as Tyranny Comes Home and Manufacturing Militarism.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Nov 30, 2022 • 1h 5min
Ordoliberalism for the Modern Day — Erwin Dekker & Stefan Kolev
Join Stefan Kolev, an expert in ordoliberalism, as he dives into the enduring relevance of this unique economic philosophy that emerged in early 20th century Germany. He unpacks the critical differences between ordoliberalism and other economic theories, emphasizing the need for moral foundations in a liberal economy. Kolev also discusses the historical context during the Weimar Republic and the interplay of power dynamics in market and state. Learn how these ideas can inform our understanding of modern challenges and community well-being.

Nov 16, 2022 • 1h 11min
Peter Boettke & Ben Powell on Elements of Success in Graduate School
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, Peter Boettke & Ben Powell tackle the ever-present question of what goes into a successful path through graduate school. Powell begins by explaining how he got interested in free-market ideas, and how a book giveaway at a conference cemented his desire to study economics. Additionally, the pair discusses the elements of success in graduate school including program building, dedication to teaching, publishing, and policy research. Later, they dive into some of Powell's research on immigration and socialism as he explains his unique approach to inquiry.If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.The Hayek Program Podcast now has merchandise available! Visit our merch store and use promo code "hayek" to take 10% off your order.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Nov 2, 2022 • 54min
Don Boudreaux & Rosolino Candela on the Revival of Antitrust Policy
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, Don Boudreaux & Rosolino Candela discuss the resurgence of intellectual interest in antitrust policy across the United States. They begin by recounting the history of antitrust policy in the US, beginning with the meatpacking industry in the 1880s and continuing to the modern day. Additionally, they consider the continuing relevance of the "structure-conduct-performance" paradigm and its hold on the contemporary debates surrounding monopoly power and antitrust policy. Later in the conversation, Rosolino and Don examine growing concerns over market concentration in platform economies. Finally, they include an analysis of the major contributions to antitrust policy and how they compare to the Austrian take.If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.Do you have a question related to the podcast or maybe a show topic you'd like to suggest? Write to us at hayekprogram@mercatus.gmu.edu with your questions and suggestions.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Oct 19, 2022 • 1h 12min
Entrepreneurship as an Academic — Peter Boettke & Scott Beaulier
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, Peter Boettke & Scott Beaulier discuss the topic of academic entrepreneurship as Scott shares experiences from his career in colleges and univerisities across the globe. Scott's humble beginnings in northern Michigan intially had him convinced he was heading towards a career as a McDonalds manager, until an economics class with David Prychitko awakened a desire for higher education within him. Scott describes his journey through the world of academia and the lessons he's learned along the way. Additionally, the pair recall Scott's time researching the economies of the Czech Republic and Botswana and the insights drawn from this research.If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.Do you have a question related to the podcast or maybe a show topic you'd like to suggest? Write to us at hayekprogram@mercatus.gmu.edu with your questions and suggestions.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Oct 5, 2022 • 1h 6min
Austrian Economics & Applied Political Economy— Peter Boettke & Adam Martin
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, Peter Boettke & Adam Martin share a conversation on Martin's work in the field of Austrian economics and applied political economy. Martin first shares how he first became interested in economics at the University of Dallas before moving on to King's College London and New York University. Later, he shares his concept of "degenerate cosmopolitanism" and how it relates to current discussions surrounding egalitarianism. We'll also hear how his own research in Austrian economics has shaped his thinking in recent times and why he recommends that every economist looks to Charles Jones for a primer on the facts of economic growth.If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.Do you have a question related to the podcast or maybe a show topic you'd like to suggest? Write to us at hayekprogram@mercatus.gmu.edu with your questions and suggestions.Read more of Dr. Martin's work here.Find the Jones piece here.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Sep 21, 2022 • 51min
Best of the Podcast! — Peter Boettke & Bobbi Herzberg Remember Elinor Ostrom
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, we revisit a conversation from the Hayek Program Podcast with Peter Boettke & Bobbi Herzberg as they recount their histories with Elinor Ostrom. They explore Herzberg's time learning from and working with the Ostroms. Herzberg explains how the Ostroms shaped her conception of political economy and demonstrated to her how to be intellectually curious and a lifelong learner. Herzberg also recounts her time as department chair, including the lessons she learned in balancing research and leadership in academia.If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.Do you have a question related to the podcast or maybe a show topic you'd like to suggest? Write to us at hayekprogram@mercatus.gmu.edu with your questions and suggestions.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Sep 7, 2022 • 1h 3min
Israel Kirzner on His Career as an Austrian Economist
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, we'll listen to an archived episode, featuring Israel Kirzner, discussing his career as an Austrian economist. Kirzner shares how he started his studies from an accounting focus, having never heard of Austrian economics, until a chance class with Ludwig von Mises changed the course of his career. He goes on to explore the process by which Austrian economics has developed over the years and explains the one insight from Mises it took him 10 years to fully understand. Join us for this exciting trip down memory lane as we hear from one of the key thinkers in Austrian economics!If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.Do you have a question related to the podcast or maybe a show topic you'd like to suggest? Write to us at hayekprogram@mercatus.gmu.edu with your questions and suggestions.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Aug 26, 2022 • 1h 22min
"Jan Tinbergen (1903-1994) and the Rise of Economic Expertise" Book Panel
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, we'll hear a book panel discussion of Erwin Dekker's book, Jan Tinbergen (1903-1994) and the Rise of Economic Expertise. In it, Dekker argues that Tinbergen's crucial contribution is the theory of economic policy and the legitimation of economic expertise in service of the state. It traces his youthful socialist ideals which found political direction in the Plan-socialist movement of the 1930s for which he developed new economic models to combat the Great Depression. The book then turns to an examination of his attempt to repeat this achievement in the development projects in the Global South and at the international level for the United Nations. Peter Boettke moderates the book panel, with contributions from panelists: Sandra Peart, Dean of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of RichmondMichele Alacevich, Associate Professor of Economic History and the History of Economic Thought at Bologna UniversityIf you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.Do you have a question related to the podcast or maybe a show topic you'd like to suggest? Write to us at hayekprogram@mercatus.gmu.edu with your questions and suggestions.Learn more about Dekker's work here.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

Aug 10, 2022 • 1h 13min
Liberalism for All — Is Social Justice a Mirage?
On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, we conclude our summer series of the podcast on Liberalism for All, hosted by Jayme Lemke as she explores the underpinnings and outworkings of a free and open society. Driving the discussion is a set of core questions, including:What does it mean to be liberal in the 21st century?What is the relationship between liberalism and equality?Is the pursuit of equality a threat or opportunity for the liberal project?Joining Lemke for this episode is Stefanie Haeffele, Senior Program and Operations Director of Mercatus Academic & Student Programs and Senior Fellow with the F. A. Hayek Program. Lemke and Haeffele begin their conversation by considering how social justice is often thought of in modern terms before examining why Hayek saw a tension between liberalism and the pursuit of social justice. Haeffele then offers her thoughts on the tradeoff between liberty and social justice before moving the conversation to a discussion regarding the analogy of institutional environments as games. Additionally, the pair consider some of the challenges, stemming from political capitalism and biased referees, of looking to public policy to remedy social injustices.If you like the show, please leave a 5-star review for us on Apple Podcasts and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever else you get your podcasts.Do you have a question related to our summer series on Liberalism for All or maybe a show topic you'd like to suggest? Write to us at hayekprogram@mercatus.gmu.edu with your questions and suggestions.Learn more about Haeffele's work here.Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: TwisteriumDirt Rhodes by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3650-dirt-rhodesLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license