Cato Event Podcast

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when large companies and powerful governments reigned supreme over the little guy. But new technologies are empowering individuals like never before, and the Davids of the world—the amateur journalists, musicians, and owners of small businesses—are suddenly making a huge economic and social impact.In An Army of Davids, author Glenn Reynolds, the man behind the immensely popular Instapundit.com, provides an in-depth, big-picture view of a world where the small guys matter more and more. Reynolds explores the birth and growth of the individual's surprisingly strong influence in arts and entertainment, anti-terrorism, nanotech and space research, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Constitution was written and ratified to secure liberty through limited government. Central to its design were two principles: federalism and economic liberty. But at the beginning of the 20th century, Progressives began a frontal assault on those principles. Drawing on the new social sciences and a primitive understanding of economic relationships, their efforts reached fruition during the New Deal when the Constitution was essentially rewritten, without benefit of amendment. In a new Cato book, Richard Epstein traces this history, showing how Progressives replaced competitive markets with government-created cartels and monopolies. Please join us for a discussion of the roots of modern government in the Progressive Era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite a federal budget deficit of about $400 billion, President Bush and Republicans in Congress say that spending is under control and that the budget outlook is improving. Proposed spending growth in President Bush's fiscal year 2007 budget is below the large increases of prior years. But are the White House and Congress doing enough to restrain spending? What will happen to the budget as entitlement costs explode in coming years? Have Republicans created enough budget room to extend the president's supply side tax cuts? Donald Marron will discuss the newly released CBO projections for federal revenues and spending. Stephen Slivinski will discuss the outlook for spending and the administration's proposed changes in department and agency funding. Chris Edwards will discuss the budget's tax proposals and comment on the danger of rising taxes if spending is not cut in coming years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal government grows each year. Taxes rise and regulations pile higher — and our quality of life suffers. Bristling with data and drama, Size Matters warns of big government's measurable negative impact on the lives of ordinary Americans. The book argues that excessive government reduces family income, drives up the cost of housing and health care, hurts employment, and stifles vital marketplace creativity and innovation. Please join us for a discussion of how the federal government impedes the pursuit of happiness with the author, Joel Miller, and award-winning journalist Jonathan Rauch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parental choice is the most contentious educational policy issue in America, and no choice plan is more closely watched than the District of Columbia’s school voucher program. Critics of parental choice frequently allege that such programs would increase costs and that public schools would suffer.In "Spreading Freedom and Saving Money," economists Susan Aud and Leon Michos analyze the impact of the D.C. voucher program and find no support for either allegation. They report that the program saves taxpayers money as it is currently structured and that it would save taxpayers even more money if expanded to include all students. They also find that principals are able to cut spending when enrollment declines. Aud and Michos conclude, however, that the voucher program's current design is problematic, rewarding D.C. Public Schools for declining enrollment instead of creating incentives for improved fiscal responsibility and accountability.Former D.C. city councilman Kevin Chavous will conclude the program by sharing his insights on the struggle for educational freedom in the nation's capital.Please join us for a discussion of these nationally relevant findings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is one issue that could lead to a disastrous war between the United States and China. That issue is the fate of Taiwan. A growing number of Taiwanese want independence for their island and regard mainland China as an alien nation. Mainland Chinese consider Taiwan a province that was stolen from China more than a century ago, and their patience about getting it back is wearing thin. Washington officially endorses a “one China” policy but also sells arms to Taiwan and maintains an implicit pledge to defend it from attack. That vague, muddled policy invites miscalculation by Taiwan or China--or both. The three parties are on a collision course, and unless something dramatic changes, an armed conflict is virtually inevitable within a decade. Carpenter explains what the United States must do quickly to avoid being dragged into war. Please join the author and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this timely and important book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Franklin is back! With the creative assistance of a direct descendant, Ben Franklin has now finished writing his memoirs. When Franklin died in 1790, he left unrecorded the last 33 years of his illustrious career as signer of the Declaration of Independence, ambassador to France, and delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Now the rest of the story can be told. Mark Skousen, a university professor and professional economist, drew upon Franklin's private letters and journals to publish The Compleated Autobiography — all in Franklin's own words. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United States has signed free trade agreements with four Middle Eastern countries--Israel, Jordan, Morocco, and Bahrain--and plans to sign a fifth with Oman this month. The hope behind the U.S. policy is that expanding economic freedom and openness in the Middle East will create private-sector opportunities in a region plagued by high trade barriers and stagnant growth. Can freer markets bring more democracy and peace to the region? Two speakers from Oman, one of the freest and most open economies in the Muslim world, will offer their insights from the government and private sectors, with comments from a leading expert on economic freedom in the Middle East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The promotion of democracy is a top foreign policy priority for both Republicans and Democrats. Many political scientists argue that promoting democracy is sound policy because democracies do not go to war with each other; thus, more democracies should equal less war. But what are the risks of democratization? In Electing to Fight: Why Emerging Democracies Go to War, Edward D. Mansfield and Jack Snyder argue that the process of democratization -- when incomplete or undertaken prematurely -- often leads to an increase in war and instability. Drawing on nearly 200 years of historical data, Mansfield and Snyder find that the transition to democracy is often characterized by a belligerent nationalism that substantially increases the risk of war. Their findings call into question the existing U.S. policy of pushing the democratic envelope in the Muslim world and China. Please join the authors and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this timely and important book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The federal criminal justice system is in disarray. Each week some 1,200 people are sentenced in federal court, but the legality of these sentences is suddenly in doubt. That is because the Supreme Court recently held that the constitutional right to trial by jury requires that any factor that can be used to increase the amount of prison time that a defendant will serve must be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The ruling in Blakely v. Washington initially invalidated the sentencing system in the State of Washington, but it has called into question the power of federal judges to make certain factual findings and increase prison time on the basis of those findings. Chief Judge Young had already declared the federal guidelines unconstitutional and now the Justice Department is urging the Supreme Court to clarify its ruling and preserve the federal sentencing regime. Please join us for a discussion of whether the federal sentencing rules ought to be saved or scrapped. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.