The Curious Task

Alex Aragona speaks with Jason Kuznicki as he explores some history on how intellectuals viewed the state, and how we should view the state.  References from Episode 12 with Jason Kuznicki: You can buy Jason Kuznicki’s book Technology and the End of Authority: What Is Government For? here on Amazon Canada

Alex Aragona speaks with Sigal Ben-Porath as she details her perspective on campus free speech issues.  References 1. “Free Speech on Campus” by Sigal Ben-Porath Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Free-Speech-Campus-Sigal-Ben-Porath/dp/0812250079

Alex Aragona speaks with Chris Freiman as he shares his thoughts on whether people have the right to immigrate. References 1. Christopher Freiman’s Articles, Bleeding Heart Libertarianism Link: https://bleedingheartlibertarians.com/author/christopher-freiman/  2. “A Defense of Open Borders” by Christopher Freiman Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-93907-0_13  3. “Liberalism or Immigration Restriction, But Not Both” by Chris Freiman and Javier Hidalgo Link: https://cafreiman.people.wm.edu/Site/Papers_files/Freiman%20and%20Hidalgo%20-%20Liberalism%20or%20Immigration%20Restrictions,%20But%20Not%20Both%20%28Preprint%29.pdf

Alex Aragona speaks with Jessica Flanigan as she explores whether all drugs should be legalized. References 1. “Pharmaceutical Freedom: Why Patients Have a Right to Self Medicate” by Jessica Flanigan Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Pharmaceutical-Freedom-Patients-Right-Medicate/dp/0190684542

Alex Aragona speaks with Hongkonger Andrew Work. Relying on his first-hand experience with the Hong Kong extradition law protests, he explores whether recent political tensions have pushed Hong Kong toward a more liberal environment. References 1. Lion Rock Institute Link: https://www.lionrockinstitute.org/en/  2. “What was Hong Kong’s ‘Occupy’ movement all about? By Reuters Link: https://www.reuters.com/article/world/what-was-hong-kongs-occupy-movement-all-about-idUSKCN1S005M/  3. “Government Structure” by GovHK Link: https://www.gov.hk/en/about/govdirectory/govstructure.htm  4. “Carrie Lam” by Britannica Link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carrie-Lam  5. “Hong Kong-China Extradition Plans Explained” by Jeff Li Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-47810723

Alex Aragona asks Eric Mack to explore his views on what socialism is and if it's the answer to the problems proponents say it can solve. References 1. “John Locke” by Eric Mack  Link: https://www.amazon.ca/John-Locke-Eric-Mack/dp/0826429815  2. “Libertarianism” by Eric Mack Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Libertarianism-Eric-Mack/dp/1509519297  3. “The Essential John Locke (Essential Scholars)” by Eric Mack  Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Essential-John-Locke-Scholars-ebook/dp/B0861HV225  4. “The Road to Serfdom: Texts and Documents – The Definitive Edition” by F.A. Hayek and Bruce Caldwell Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Road-Serfdom-Documents-Definitive-Collected/dp/0226320553  5. “Democratic Socialists of America”  Link: https://www.dsausa.org/  6. “Ludwig Von Mises: Early Life, Economic Views, Theories” by Investopedia Link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/ludwig-von-mises.asp#:~:text=Ludwig%20von%20Mises%20argued%20against,wealth%20and%20capital%20over%20time.  7. “Why Not Socialism” by G.A. Cohen Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Why-Not-Socialism-G-Cohen/dp/0691143617

Alex Aragona chats with Paul Robinson as he offers his thoughts on whether or not military intervention works (and explores what is meant by "works"). References 1. IRRUSIANALITY  Link: https://irrussianality.wordpress.com/

Alex Aragona chats with Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak as they explore whether or not an increasing population necessarily harms the planet.  References from Episode 5 with Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak: You can purchase Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak’s book Population Bombed!: Exploding the Link Between Overpopulation and Climate Change on Amazon Canada at this link.  You can read Thomas Malthus’ book An Essay on the Principle of Population here. You can read Garrett Hardin’s article Lifeboat Ethics here. You can read Matt Ridley’s article How Technology Evolves here. You can purchase the book Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund on Amazon Canada at this link.

Alex Aragona asks James Harrigan to explore his thoughts on whether or not we can have principled politicians that represent us. References from Episode 4 with James Harrigan: You can read more about James Madison’s thoughts on the importance of checks and balances, which James Harrigan refers to during the podcast, at this link.  You can read The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison for free on the online Library of Congress here. Herbert Croly’s book The Promise of American Life that James mentioned on the podcast can be purchased on Amazon Canada here. You can read more about Modern Monetary Theory here.

Alex Aragona and Jacob Levy explore Jacob's belief on whether or not a liberal society requires democratic institutions. References from Episode 3 with Jacob T. Levy: Check out the article Political Libertarianism by Jacob T. Levy here Buy the book Rationalism, Pluralism, and Freedom by Jacob T. Levy here