The Curious Task

In this episode from 2023, Matt speaks with Iain Murray about the estrangement of conservative liberalism from identitarian forms of conservative nationalism and the intriguing alliances that may arise in the future between freedom-loving libertarians and some unlikely allies.  Episode Notes: Iain's book "The Socialist Temptation" https://a.co/d/5AUQHQp  One of Iain's articles on the subject https://cei.org/blog/european-populism-is-nationalist-conservatism/  "Do Libertarians Have a Political Home Anymore?" by Iain Murray https://www.acton.org/religion-liberty/volume-35-number-1-2/do-libertarians-have-political-home-anymore  Summary of Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillbilly_Elegy  Ezra Klein's comment on "Everything Bagel Liberalism" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/opinion/democrats-liberalism.html 

Matt speaks with Franco Terrazzano about the carbon tax within the broader context of government spending, taxation, and fiscal responsibility in Canada. They discuss the impact of high government debt, the role of the federal budget, and the long-term consequences of deficit spending. Terrazzano critiques the federal carbon tax, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on Canadians while failing to achieve its intended environmental goals, and points to some glaring instances of hypocrisy on the part of its supporters. References Axing the Tax: 100 Simple and Painless Ways to Save Money on Your Taxes by Franco Terrazzano https://a.co/d/azlHzK6  "Carbon tax costs average Ontario family $627 this year" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation) https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-costs-average-ontario-family-627-this-year "PBO confirms carbon tax costs more than rebates" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation) https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/pbo-confirms-carbon-tax-costs-more-than-rebates "Carbon tax bureaucracy costs taxpayers $800 million" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation) https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-bureaucracy-costs-taxpayers-800-million   "Cut taxes and government spending to combat inflation" by Franco Terrazzano (EnergyNow) https://energynow.ca/2022/02/news-release-cut-taxes-and-government-spending-to-combat-inflation Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

In this episode from 2021, Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about the classical liberal tradition in Canada, and what the evolution of that tradition has looked like. References from The Curious Task Episode 94 with Graeme Thompson A collection of the speeches of Wilfred Laurier can be found in an edited edition by Arthur Milnes, available from Amazon here. Macdonald Laurier and the Election of 1891 by Christopher Pennington can be found from Penguin House here. Graeme Thompson’s piece “Whatever Happened to Laurier” can be found in the National Post here. Graeme mentions positive and negative liberty by Isaiah Berlin, which is discussed on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy here. The works of Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, and J.S. Mill can be read for free through the Online Library of Liberty.  

Matt Bufton speaks with Matt McManus about the philosophical foundations of liberalism and socialism, exploring how these two traditions intersect and diverge. They discuss McManus’ work on the political theory of liberal socialism, the historical tensions between the two ideologies, and the ways in which contemporary political movements reflect aspects of both. The conversation also touches on critiques of classical liberal thought, the role of the state in economic justice, and the potential for a synthesis between liberal and socialist principles. References The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism by Matt McManus https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234?srsltid=AfmBOorDPxbjpTmpCJ2dgOznjWaxh8s53bHfYJ9odk360mjLFnf77MK_  A Critical Legal Examination of Liberalism and Liberal Rights by Matt McManus https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-61025-8  Liberalism and Socialism: Mortal Enemies or Embittered Kin? (Edited by Matt McManus) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-79537-5 Why Socialists Shouldn’t Reject Liberalism An interview with Matt McManus (Jacobin Magazine) https://jacobin.com/2024/08/socialism-liberalism-mill-marx-moyn  Matt's portfolio on Academia.edu  https://umich.academia.edu/MatthewMcManus  Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

Alex Aragona speaks with James Harrigan about U.S.-Canada relations, with a focus on tariffs, trade policy, and economic misunderstandings that shape political discourse. James critiques the expansion of tariffs under Trump and challenges the idea that protectionism helps domestic industries. The conversation highlights the historical benefits of free trade, the consequences of government intervention in markets, and the flawed assumptions underlying modern trade restrictions. References James on X: https://x.com/jamesrharrigan  The Centre for American Culture and Ideas: https://thecaci.org/  The Words And Numbers Podcast: https://wordsandnumbers.libsyn.com/  "Fair Trade Encourages Free Trade" by James Harrigan and Antony Davies: https://archive.triblive.com/opinion/featured-commentary/antony-davies-james-r-harrigan-fair-trade-encourages-free-trade/  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.

Matt Bufton speaks with Don Boudreaux about tariffs, free trade, and the economic misunderstandings that drive protectionist policies. Don critiques the balance of trade doctrine, drawing from historical examples and economic theory to explain why tariffs harm both consumers and producers. The discussion covers the impact of tariffs on the U.S. and Canada, how politicians exploit economic misconceptions, and why a policy of unilateral free trade would be the best path forward. References Globalization by Don Boudreaux Paperback: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/globalization-9780313342134/   The Essential Hayek by Don Boudreaux Free PDF: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/essential-hayek_0.pdf   "The Case for Free Trade" by Don Boudreaux (Mercatus Center) https://www.mercatus.org/system/files/boudreaux-benefits-free-trade-ep-v2.pdf  "Don't Get Played By Protectionists" (Cafe Hayek) https://cafehayek.com/2025/03/dont-get-played-by-protectionists.html  "On America's Trade Deficit With China" by Don Boudreaux https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/on-americas-trade-deficit-with-china/  "Adam Smith Doesn't Like U.S. Trade Policy" by Stuart Anderson https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2018/07/18/adam-smith-doesnt-like-u-s-trade-policy/  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.

Matt Bufton speaks with Ryan Manucha about interprovincial trade in Canada, focusing on the legal and economic barriers that hinder free trade between provinces. They discuss Ryan’s book Booze, Cigarettes, and Constitutional Dust-Ups, examining how constitutional law, historical disputes, and political inertia have shaped Canada’s fragmented trade landscape. The conversation explores key legal cases, the role of the Supreme Court, and potential reforms that could enhance economic cooperation across the country. References Booze, Cigarettes, and Constitutional Dust-Ups: Canada's Quest for Interprovincial Free Trade by Ryan Manucha https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0228014417 Gold Seal Ltd. v. Alberta (Attorney-General) (1921) – Key legal case on interprovincial trade barriers https://www.canlii.org/t/2f2ng R. v. Comeau (2018) – Supreme Court decision on cross-border alcohol sales https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/17059/index.do Interprovincial Trade Barriers in Canada: Options for Moving Forward by Alvarez et al. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383376202_Interprovincial_Trade_Barriers_in_Canada_Options_for_Moving_Forward Provincial Red Tape Report Card by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/research-economic-analysis/provincial-red-tape-report-card Internal Trade in Canada: Case for Liberalization by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/WP/2019/WPIEA2019158.ashx Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.  

Matt speaks with Bart Wilson about what economists often overlook in their analysis—specifically, the role of morality, human cooperation, and language in shaping economic behaviour. Wilson argues that mainstream economics tends to focus too much on scarcity and efficiency while neglecting the deeper social and moral foundations that make trade and prosperity possible. Drawing on his book Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human, he explores how concepts like property, reciprocity, and justice emerge from human relationships rather than being imposed from the top down.  References: Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human by Bart Wilson https://global.oup.com/academic/product/meaningful-economics-9780197758151?cc=us&lang=en&  The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith https://a.co/d/j0nL0mY  The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith https://a.co/d/iKwedtg  Knowledge and Decisions by Thomas Sowell https://a.co/d/cRgCwe4  The Invisible Heart: An Economic Romance by Russell Roberts https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0262681358  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley https://a.co/d/a7vAUsi  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit our Patreon page.   

Alex Aragona speaks with Tim Thurley about gun policy in Canada, discussing the current state of firearm regulations, the shift away from a past political consensus, and whether recent legislative changes are effectively targeting crime. They explore the role of licensing, background checks, and storage laws, as well as the impact of smuggled firearms and high-profile policy changes like Bill C-21 and the handgun freeze. Thurley argues that recent policy shifts focus on legal gun owners while failing to address the main sources of gun crime in Canada. References "Aiming Off Target: Gun Policy in Canada" by Tim Thurley & Noah Schwartz (Macdonald-Laurier Institute) https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/aiming-off-target-gun-policy-canada/ "On gun control, Liberals opt for wedge politics over actual change" by Noah Schwartz https://nationalpost.com/opinion/noah-schwartz-on-gun-control-liberals-opt-for-wedge-politics-over-actual-change  "More Guns, Less Crime" by John R. Lott Jr. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0226493660 "The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things" by Barry Glassner https://a.co/d/4qXgBqf  "The Origins and Development of Canada’s Firearms Laws" by R. Blake Brown https://a.co/d/bMb4zyV  "Armed: New Perspectives on Gun Control" by Gary Kleck & Don B. Kates https://a.co/d/5xk3gUj  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.

Matt speaks with Ethan Nadelmann about vaping, e-cigarettes, and pouch nicotine alternatives to cigarettes within the broader context of health policy and the drug war. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding nicotine, harm reduction strategies, and how opposition to non-combustible nicotine mirrors past drug war policies. Ethan highlights international case studies, the role of public health organizations, and the influence of figures like Michael Bloomberg in shaping the global discourse - and misinformation - around alternatives to cigarettes. References "Thinking Seriously About Alternatives to Drug Prohibition" by Ethan Nadelmann https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/20027122.pdf "The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction" (KAC Reports) https://gsthr.org/ "High Price" by Carl Hart https://a.co/d/inDX5Gi  "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein https://www.amazon.ca/dp/014311526X "Ending the War on Drugs: A Solution for America" by Dirk Chase Eldredge https://a.co/d/bIGQpJ6  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.