The Curious Task

Alex Aragona chats with Cardus' Ray Pennings as he explores the benefits of more school choice to both students and society, and look at some data to see if, and how, it works.  References from Episode 37 with Ray Pennings: You can check out the Canadian Cardus Survey here You can read the U.S. Cardus Education Survey 2018 here You can read the Cardus survey on Who Chooses Ontario Independent Schools and Why here

Alex Aragona chats with Jason Brennan's about his response to G.A. Cohen's book and question "Why Not Socialism?" and his thoughts on ideal capitalism. References from Episode 36 with Jason Brennan: You can purchase Jason Brennan’s book Why Not Capitalism on Amazon Canada here

Alex Aragona speaks with Jesse Walker as they explore whether a human being truly set foot on the moon. References 1. “Rebels on the Air: An Alternative History of Radio in America” by Jesse Walker Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Rebels-Air-Alternative-History-America/dp/0814793827  2. “The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory” by Jesse Walker Link: https://www.amazon.ca/United-States-Paranoia-Conspiracy-Theory/dp/0062135562

Matt Bufton talks with Alex Aragona about the effects the response to COVID-19 will have on freedom, the proper government response to a pandemic, how lifting certain regulations can help, and more.  References from Episode 34 with Matt Bufton: You can read the Atlantic article referenced in the podcast  here You can read more about hand sanitizer regulations being relaxed here Check out more information on the Mercatus COVID-19 Innovation Prizes here

Alex Aragona speaks with Scott Beyer as he explores the basic tenets of market urbanism and the ideas behind market driven solutions to problems in our communities. References from Episode 33 with Scott Beyer: You can check out Scott’s website The Market Urbanism Report here You can check out the popular Market Urbanism Report Facebook page here

Alex Aragona speaks with Jason Sorens as he explores what it takes for a group to secede or gain independence from a state, and whether Alberta could leave Canada. References from Episode 32 with Jason Sorens: You can purchase Jason Sorens’ book on Secessionism on Amazon Canada  here You can listen to Jason Sorens’ appearance on the Danielle Smith show in Alberta here

Alex Aragona speaks with Christopher Freiman as he explores why you might be happier, and ultimately contribute more to society, if you choose to ignore politics. References from Episode 31 with Chris Freiman: You can purchase Chris Freiman’s book when it’s out  here You can check out the Bleeding Heart Libertarians blog here You can purchase Bryan Caplan’s book ‘The Myth of the Rational Voter’ on Amazon Canada here

Exploring the threat of populism to liberalism, the podcast discusses the rise of populist parties in Europe, the shift from economic to social political identities, the decline of social democracy and conservative Christian democratic parties, the role of open borders, the influence of classical liberal parties, setting the political agenda, and the importance of finding new allies for individual freedom and economic liberties.

Jacob Levy speaks with Alex about how liberals should approach the ideas of freedom of association and civil society, and what that means for the way groups interact with other groups and the state.  References from Episode 29 with Jacob Levy: You can purchase Jacob Levy’s book Rationalism, Pluralism, and Freedom on Amazon Canada here You can purchase the book Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott, which was mentioned by Jacob on the podcast, at Amazon Canada here

Alex Aragona speaks with economist Vincent Geloso about whether we should care about inequality, and how we should approach measuring and understanding it.  References from Episode 28 with Vincent Geloso: For further reading, you can check out this paper written by Vincent Geloso and Steve Horwitz, one of our other previous podcast guests, here