Cato Event Podcast

Join Cato education scholars Neal McCluskey, Colleen Hroncich, and Andrew Gillen for an online panel discussion on the current state of American education as students return to classrooms nationwide. Moderated by USA Today’s Zachary Schermele, this timely conversation will examine critical education policy issues, including the expansion of school choice programs, the role and effectiveness of the Department of Education, and pressing challenges facing higher education institutions.The panel will explore how empowering parents with educational freedom, reducing federal bureaucratic interference, and promoting market-based solutions can improve educational outcomes for students at all levels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest is Ildi Tillmann, a Hungary-born, New York–based photographer, author, and educator whose work spans art, documentary, narrative journalism, and commissioned photography, placing human stories in a global context. Tillmann will discuss the power of visual rhetoric to deliberate, convey ideas, and facilitate “multimodal” civil discourse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know that the certainty of a punishment is the greatest deterrent for want to be criminals. Yet, there are neighborhoods across this country where the clearance rate for violent crimes is incredibly low—despite a large police presence. Cato’s Mike Fox and Reason’s Billy Binion will explain why that is and explore possible solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dramatic outcome of the New York City mayoral primary, in which Zohran Mamdani outpaced former governor Andrew Cuomo and then clinched the win with second-choice votes from other candidates, has drawn attention to the city’s use of ranked-choice voting. Several other major cities also use ranked-choice voting, as do Maine and Alaska. What lessons does the New York City primary hold for this and other electoral reforms? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Misinformation is a widespread and serious concern within our society today. Nearly every issue we face involves claims of misinformation, as well as disinformation and otherwise misleading content. But despite being frequently framed as an existential threat, misinformation remains hard to define and measure. This event will discuss what misinformation is, whether the concern around misinformation is legitimate or reflects a panic over new expressive technologies, and what technology companies and policymakers can do to help develop knowledge, protect expression, and make progress as a society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us at the Cato Institute for a conversation on the complex and uncertain US tariff situation and the policies’ effects, especially for the American wine and spirits industries.In Kentucky, bourbon has long been a source of local pride and economic growth, contributing $9 billion annually and supporting 23,000 jobs. Similarly, the Virginia wine industry has exploded over the past 30 years, today accounting for $1.73 billion in annual sales and more than 10,000 jobs. These industries now face economic headwinds because of US tariffs on key production inputs, foreign retaliation against their exports, and weakened distribution channels here and abroad.The challenges faced by American wine and bourbon producers are emblematic of the issues American farmers and manufacturers in many other industries must now face. This discussion will offer unique insights, examining the legal, economic, and political challenges that tariffs present as well as alternative paths forward.There will be a tasting of a variety of domestic wines and bourbons immediately following the discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Libertarians and conservatives often share values like individual liberty and limited government, but their approaches to key policy issues can differ sharply. From trade policy to immigration, these differences reveal deep philosophical divides. Despite frequent political alliances, the two ideologies are not interchangeable. Join us for a dynamic debate between interns from the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation as they explore which philosophy offers better solutions to today’s pressing public policy challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how these competing worldviews stack up.HighlightsLearn About Public Policy: Augment your knowledge about major policy issues, from trade and immigration to executive authority.Delve into Political Philosophy: Gain a concise view on the alignment and distinctions between libertarianism and conservatism.Explore How Ideas Shape Policy: Acquire insight into how ideas and philosophy intersect with policymaking.Who Should AttendCollege students looking to learn about political philosophyResearchers exploring the distinct libertarian and conservative approach to public policyGeneral audiences interested in public policy issues Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution grants Congress the sole power to “lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises” and to regulate commerce with foreign countries. Today, however, Congress has broadly delegated its tariff powers to the executive branch via several laws that give the president vast, discretionary authority to impose sweeping trade restrictions with little, if any, input or oversight by the other branches of government, US trading partners, or the American public. Recent tariffs increasingly call such delegations into question.Join us for a fireside chat with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D‑WA) and the Cato Institute’s Scott Lincicome on the implications of unchecked executive tariff powers and how Congress can reclaim its constitutionally mandated authority. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new wave of age-verification laws for app stores and internet services like social media have been proposed at both state and federal levels. These laws raise pressing constitutional concerns about privacy, free speech, and the proper role of government in regulating online behavior. The Supreme Court decided Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, a pivotal case challenging a requirement that users verify their age, such as by uploading government-issued identification, to access online adult content. While well-meaning adults may want to protect young people from certain harms both online and off, these proposals could also threaten to chill lawful speech, compromise privacy, and set dangerous precedents. Requiring age verification for online content could open the door to broader government controls over political speech and dissent. These burdens are felt not only by “Big Tech” but also by smaller companies that may be providing services for more specific communities. Furthermore, it’s unclear if these proposals will actually improve online safety. Are there alternative approaches that can balance the concerns of parents with the freedoms of users of all ages and the benefits of innovation? How should courts, policymakers, and parents weigh the potential trade-offs between the benefits and risks for kids and teens online? This event will explore the legal, technological, and ethical implications of age-verification laws. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.