The Color of Law, written by Richard Rothstein, has been described as the “powerful and disturbing history” of how American governments deliberately imposed racial segregation on metropolitan areas nationwide. He helps us understand twentieth-century urban history. A history that provides insight as to why our cities are still facing residential issues today.When the government created segregated housing systems, did they think it would persist much through the 20th century? What obstacles did blacks face in the Jim Crow era when they were buying a house?Related Content:The Color of Law, written by Richard RothsteinThe Road Not Taken, written by Stephen Menendian and Richard RothsteinFrom Ferguson to Baltimore, written by Richard RothsteinFurther Reading:Black History and Liberty, written by Jonathan BlanksLooking Back to Look Forward: Blacks, Liberty, and the State, written by Jonathan BlanksWhy Aren’t There More Black Libertarians?, Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick G. Eddington’s tenure at the CIA spanned the transition from the Cold War to the new era of American interventionism in the Persian Gulf and the Balkans. In his book, Long Strange Journey: An Intelligence Memoir, he tackles a whole slew of questions; Why was President George H.W. Bush so surprised that Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait? Did America’s intelligence community fail to warn him of the threat, or did he ignore their predictions of an invasion? Why did the CIA and the Pentagon deny so vehemently for so long that sick Desert Storm veterans were exposed to Iraq’s chemical agents?Should we be weary of surveillance technology that our foreign intelligence uses overseas? What if that technology was used domestically? What is it like to work with America’s intelligence community? What was Gulf War syndrome? How do you become a whistleblower?Further Reading:Long Strange Journey: An Intelligence Memoir, written by Patrick EddingtonThe Uncounted Enemy: A Vietnam DeceptionCrisis of Conscience: Whistleblowing in an Age of Fraud, written by Tom MullerRelated Content:The CIA Listens to Free Thoughts, Free Thoughts EpisodeThe Inhumanity of Torture, Free Thoughts EpisodeDeconstructing the Surveillance State, Free Thoughts Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith join the show today to talk about their non-ficton graphic novel; Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration.American policy-makers have long been locked in a heated battle over whether, how many, and what kind of immigrants to allow to live and work in the country. Those in favor of welcoming more immigrants often cite humanitarian reasons, while those in favor of more restrictive laws argue the need to protect native citizens.Why is immigration a horrible injustice that no one seems to be talking about? Why do we frame immigration as charity? How do you change people’s minds on immigration?Further Reading:Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration, written by Bryan CaplanThe Case against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money, written by Bryan CaplanThe Myth of the Rational Voter, written by Bryan CaplanLook to Milton: Open borders and the welfare state, written by Robert RectorRelated Content:You Are Now Free to Move About the Planet, Free Thoughts PodcastThe Truth About Immigration, Free Thoughts PodcastMyths and Facts of Immigration Policy, written by Alex Nowrasteh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine Wilson teaches us that there is more to Epicureanism than eating, drinking, and being merry. Epicureanism is not an excuse for having a good time, it stresses the importance of living a good life. Epicureans maintain a philosophy that promotes reason, respect for the natural world, and respect for fellow human beings.What is Epicureanism? Who was Epicurus? How did Epicureans become utilitarians? Is Epicureanism just utilitarianism? Was Epicurus an atheist? What is the scope of Epicurean influence?Further Reading:How to be Epicurean, by Catherine WilsonUsing Epicurean Philosophy for Finding Happiness, written by Jodi ClarkeEpicureanism at the Origins of Modernity, written by Catherine WilsonRelated Content:Buddhist Ethics Does Not Advocate State Action, written by Aaron Ross PowellStoicism, Encyclopedia of LibertarianismEpicureanism, Encyclopedia of Libertarianism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 The cigarette is the most lethal consumer product in history, but how has smoking changed in the last 30 years? Smoking is banned from many restaurants, bars, parks, and places of work. The moral panic has ensued around smoking and the fear is only increasing. But, what if there is a better way for smokers to have what they want without burdening them with regulations?Why did the cigarette take over the tobacco world? Should there be places that people should go to enjoy smoking tobacco together? How did second hand smoke become a property rights issue? Why is smoking so stigmatized? What is thirdhand smoke? Does anyone want a safer cigarette?Further Reading:The Rediscovery of Tobacco: Smoking, Vaping, and the Creative Destruction of the Cigarette, written by Jacob GrierKing James I, A Counterblaste to Tobacco, 1604Christopher Hitchens on Audio, Cato At LibertyChristopher Hitchens May Be Dying Of Cancer, But He Has No Regrets About Smoking And Boozing, written by Joe PompeoBarbara Ehrenreich Doesn’t Have Time for Self-Care, Isaac ChotinerRelated Content:Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, Free Thoughts PodcastIs the DEA Trippin’? (with Rick Doblin), Free Thoughts Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to Deirdre McCloskey the greatest challenges that humankind faces are tyranny and poverty. McCloskey is a firm believer that if we were to return to true liberal values it would be good for everyone. For examples of true liberal values she refers to philosophers Locke, Smith, Voltaire, and Wollstonecraft.What is the connection between liberalism and democracy? How is liberalism non-coercive? What fights should libertarians prioritize? How can you be principled advocate for the poor? Who influenced Deirdre McCloskey?Further Reading:Why Liberalism Works: How True Liberal Values Produce a Freer, More Equal, Prosperous World for All, written by Deirdre McCloskeyThe magic washing machine, Hans Rossling TED TalkBourgeois Dignity: A Revolution in Rhetoric, written by Deirdre McCloskeyRelated Content:The Bourgeois Era, Free Thoughts PodcastLiberalism 1.0, Free Thoughts PodcastA Review of Bourgeois Equality: How Ideas, Not Capital or Institutions, Enriched the World by Deirdre McCloskey, written by David S. D’Amato Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clay Routledge joined the show today to talk about how our society has become increasingly individualistic, and how we are still learning the consequences of that. It is human nature to look for some sort of meaning in life. We are social animals, but that isn’t what makes us particularly unique. What makes us unique is that we maintain cultures and practices that make us seem, at least in part, larger than ourselves.Why do we search for meaning in our lives? How do we know if our life actually means something? Do people feel lonelier than the used to? Why is Western society becoming more secular?Further Reading:Human ProgressSupernatural: Death, Meaning, and the Power of the Invisible World, written by Clay RoutledgeWhy do we feel nostalgia?, Ted-Ed Talk by Clay RoutledgeRelated Content:The Collapse of the Local Community (with Tim Carney), Free Thoughts PodcastDo Socialists Mean Well?, written by Grant BabcockNo Man Is an Island (Not Even Libertarians), written by Aaron Ross Powell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Starkey explains the origins of UK Parliament so that we can understand how it differs from the U.S. government. He claims that Parliament is not too dissimilar from Congress. However, one key difference from the system in the UK and our own is the position of Prime Minister. Unlike our President, the Prime Minister is not subject to a general election for that specific position. Towards the end of the episode they also discuss what is going on with Brexit.What is English common law? Is English government known for being too nice? What impact did the Magna Carta have on the structure of the English government? Why doesn’t the separation of powers in government work?Further Reading:David Starkey explains simple but infuriating reason behind Brexit impasse, written by Martina BetDr. David Starkey - Uncut: Assaults on Brexit, British Identity & History, So What You’re Saying Is ShowSix Wives of Henry VIII, BBC DocumentaryDavid Starkey’s Magna CartaRelated Content:Magna Carta Influence in the U.S. Constitution, written by David EdwardsThe Ancient Rights of Englishmen, written by David EdwardsRadical Weirdness in the English Civil Wars, podcast with Anthony Comegna and Caleb O. Brown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the economic disaster of the Great Leap Forward that claimed tens of millions of lives from 1958–1962, an aging Mao Zedong launched an ambitious scheme to shore up his reputation and eliminate those he viewed as a threat to his legacy. He called this The Cultural Revolution. Trevor and Aaron ask Frank Dikötter about Mao’s legacy and how he came to power, which leads to a larger discussion about the nature of dictatorships.Where did Mao come from? What is the history of the Communist Party of China? What happened in China during the Great Leap Forward? Why does communism lead to millions of deaths? Why do dictators hate ideology? How unfree is daily life in China?Further Reading:How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century, written by Frank DikötterMao’s Little Red BookThe Cultural Revolution: A People’s History, 1962―1976, written by Frank Dikötter‘The Cultural Revolution: A People’s History, 1962-1976,’ by Frank Dikotter, book review in the New York TimesRelated Content:China: The Annihilation of Human Rights, written by David HartChinese Communism and the Economic Revolution, written by Leonard P. LiggioFifty Years after the Cultural Revolution, written by David Boaz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helena Rosenblatt and Daniel Klein debate the origins of liberalism. Rosenblatt believes that Klein misuses Adam Smith. However, there is no way to know how Adam Smith would have acted in today’s political climate.What is liberalism? What is the political meaning of liberalism? How old is the idea of liberty? Was Edmund Burke thought of himself as a conservative? Is it a mistake to think that libertarians are part of the liberal tradition? At what point for example, does John Locke become called a liberal?Further Reading:The Lost History of Liberalism, written by Helena RosenblattLiberty Between the Lines in a Statist and Modernist Age, written by Daniel KleinThe Wealth of Nations, Adam SmithRelated Content:Was Adam Smith a Libertarian?, written by Paul MuellerSelf-Interest and Social Order in Classical Liberalism: Thomas Hobbes, written by George H. SmithThe Levelers: Libertarian Revolutionaries, written by Nicholas Elliott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.