Cato Event Podcast

“We hold these truths to be self‐​evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”The second sentence of the Declaration of Independence is perhaps one of the most resonant of all phrases from the American Founding. But what did the Founders mean by “Happiness”? And how, exactly, was it to be pursued? In his new book, The Pursuit of Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen examines the many ways that key figures of the American Founding turned to ancient Greek and Roman philosophers as guides toward a better understanding of happiness and the good life. Through the eyes of American figures such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Frederick Douglass, Rosen explores virtues such as temperance, humility, and moderation and their relationship to self‐​improvement and good governance. What emerges is a set of important insights about the relationship between the quality of chara

It has been two years since more than $2 trillion in new US industrial policy initiatives were signed into law. However, despite the much‐​publicized increases in construction spending and numerous announcements of future investments—there has been little actual evidence of the manufacturing boom that these government programs were supposed to catalyze. Instead, many projects have been delayed or, in the case of electric vehicles and offshore wind, canceled altogether, owed to both changing market conditions and many of the same economic, regulatory, and political hurdles that have long plagued US industrial policy efforts.Please join the Cato Institute as we detail past US industrial policy efforts, the long‐​standing problems these initiatives have faced, and whether today’s US industrial policy projects appear to be heading for the same unfortunate conclusion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A complex array of government policies and market forces cause drug prices to be higher in the United States than other nations. Is this a problem? If so, are there better policies for determining drug prices? What is the “right” price for a drug? Panelists will discuss evidence suggesting that US drug prices are excessive and what policymakers should and should not do in response. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May is National Small Business Month. Small businesses and startups play an important part in the technology sector, and many proposed policy changes could be particularly impactful on them. While often antitrust is thought of as a “big business” issue, the reality is that changes to competition policy, such as restrictions on mergers and acquisitions, affect businesses of all sizes.Many proponents of antitrust policy changes assert that these changes are necessary to protect small businesses particularly in the technology sector. Some assert that there is currently a “kill zone” where successful startups are gobbled up by today’s tech giants before they can become rivals, while others say these transactions occur in a healthy market for a variety of reasons that often benefit small companies and consumers as well as larger companies. Do the data support the idea of a “kill zone”? How might antitrust changes impact the evolution of small businesses and the choices they have in their journey? Hosted

In January 2021, Mississippi replaced its state flag, the culmination of a process that saw years of debate, protest, and fervid disagreement. Join us on May 16 for an event cohosted by the Cato Institute, Sphere Education Initiatives, and the Moral Courage Project. We’ll explore the political and social environment surrounding the flag debate and examine the skills of productive disagreement through the story of Genesis and Louis, two young people who came together to understand and learn from each other in these polarizing times.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we approach the 90th anniversary of the US Social Security program in 2025, and as the program’s trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Social Security reform is essential to preserving the program’s ability to provide critical economic security to vulnerable seniors by averting indiscriminate benefit cuts, which are scheduled to occur by law when the trust fund goes to zero. Sensible reforms will ensure the program can meet this pivotal role without imposing undue debt burdens or excessive taxes on younger generations. There are further opportunities to modernize Social Security to enhance individual liberty and reduce disincentives to work and saving that undermine US economic growth.This symposium will foster insightful discussions on the various dimensions of Social Security reform. By bringing together a diverse group of US and international experts, we will explore shared challenges and identify global lessons to inform US reform options. T

As we approach the 90th anniversary of the US Social Security program in 2025, and as the program’s trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Social Security reform is essential to preserving the program’s ability to provide critical economic security to vulnerable seniors by averting indiscriminate benefit cuts, which are scheduled to occur by law when the trust fund goes to zero. Sensible reforms will ensure the program can meet this pivotal role without imposing undue debt burdens or excessive taxes on younger generations. There are further opportunities to modernize Social Security to enhance individual liberty and reduce disincentives to work and saving that undermine US economic growth.This symposium will foster insightful discussions on the various dimensions of Social Security reform. By bringing together a diverse group of US and international experts, we will explore shared challenges and identify global lessons to inform US reform options. T

As we approach the 90th anniversary of the US Social Security program in 2025, and as the program’s trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Social Security reform is essential to preserving the program’s ability to provide critical economic security to vulnerable seniors by averting indiscriminate benefit cuts, which are scheduled to occur by law when the trust fund goes to zero. Sensible reforms will ensure the program can meet this pivotal role without imposing undue debt burdens or excessive taxes on younger generations. There are further opportunities to modernize Social Security to enhance individual liberty and reduce disincentives to work and saving that undermine US economic growth. This symposium will foster insightful discussions on the various dimensions of Social Security reform. By bringing together a diverse group of US and international experts, we will explore shared challenges and identify global lessons to inform US reform options.

As we approach the 90th anniversary of the US Social Security program in 2025, and as the program’s trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Social Security reform is essential to preserving the program’s ability to provide critical economic security to vulnerable seniors by averting indiscriminate benefit cuts, which are scheduled to occur by law when the trust fund goes to zero. Sensible reforms will ensure the program can meet this pivotal role without imposing undue debt burdens or excessive taxes on younger generations. There are further opportunities to modernize Social Security to enhance individual liberty and reduce disincentives to work and saving that undermine US economic growth.This symposium will foster insightful discussions on the various dimensions of Social Security reform. By bringing together a diverse group of US and international experts, we will explore shared challenges and identify global lessons to inform US reform options. T

Globalization has come under fire over the past two decades as the world has lived through an international financial crisis, terrorist attacks, a pandemic, and the return of war in Europe. Johan will discuss why, despite such turmoil, the free market has still made the past 20 years the best time in human history by almost any measure of well‐​being Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cato Institute President and CEO Peter Goettler will share the opportunities we see to bring liberty to new audiences, and Allan Carey will join Peter to discuss the importance of restoring viewpoint diversity with educators nationwide through Sphere Education Initiatives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In October 2022, the White House released its 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, laying out the Biden administration’s nuclear strategy. Perhaps the most controversial policy change in the report was the cancellation of the sea‐​launched nuclear cruise missile (SLCM‑N), which was introduced in the 2018 review. Less than two years after the cancellation, Congress reversed the program’s course once again by establishing the SLCM‑N as a program of record through the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.Supporters argue that growing nuclear threats make the SLCM‑N more important now than ever. Opponents point to the opportunity costs of adding yet another weapon system to an already stressed nuclear modernization plan. What should be the future of this highly contested program?Please join the Cato Institute as we explore the benefits and opportunity costs of adding the SLCM‑N to the US nuclear arsenal. Cato’s Eric Gomez and the Atlantic Council’s Robert Soofer will examine the potential role of

Why are housing prices in America so high? “Supply and demand” is true but misleading, because draconian regulation drastically constricts housing supply. In this exciting new nonfiction graphic novel, economist Bryan Caplan makes the economic and philosophical case for radical deregulation of the housing industry. Deregulation turns out to be a bona fide panacea: a large rise in housing supply would raise living standards, reduce inequality, increase social mobility, promote economic growth, reduce homelessness, increase birth rates, help the environment, and more. Combining stunning visuals and careful interdisciplinary research, Build, Baby, Build takes readers to a world where people are free to build―and shows us how to get there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is increasingly difficult for patients to access health care clinicians, especially in rural and underserved areas. Not enough clinicians are entering the workforce to replace those quitting or retiring while the US population is growing and aging. The average wait for a first‐​time doctor’s appointment is 26 days. Yet, state licensing laws prevent experienced international medical graduates (IMGs) who migrate to the United States from offering their services to residents. Unlike many other developed countries, American states require IMGs to repeat their residency training in accredited US programs – convincing many IMGs to not practice medicine. Several states are reforming their licensing laws to remove obstacles preventing IMGs from practicing medicine, but not without controversy.Join Jonathan Wolfson, Chief Legal Officer and Policy Director at the Cicero Institute, Maqbool Halepota, MD, FACP, Medical Director at Palo Verde Cancer Center‐​Scottsdale, and Lisa Robin, Chief Advocacy Officer at

Drawing on his TedX Talk on the same subject, and using vivid imagery from India, Prashant Narang will explain the trajectory of the fight for economic freedom in Indian courts and lessons that may help litigators restore judicial protection in America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ethan Blevins, Skylar Croy, and Joshua Polk discuss the threat posed by the composition of licensing bodies, and ways that entrepreneurs can change the system. Moderated by Clark Neily Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timothy Sandefur and Anthony Sanders discuss their experiences litigating in state courts and new ways for bringing back economic freedom at the state level. Moderated by Anastasia Boden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is leading the tech conversation for “accelerationists,” “doomers,” and everyone in between. From the Biden administration’s executive order on AI to dozens of bills being discussed on Capitol Hill, policymakers are looking to exert influence over AI, just as AI is poised to extend its impact on our world.Data privacy, cybersecurity, financial opportunity, election integrity, and economic growth are just some of the policy issues implicated by recent advances in generative AI and deep learning.Yet new technology, however transformative, does not mean we should abandon long‐​standing policy principles that have served America well. Join us for a wide‐​ranging conversation on AI, tech policy, and the future of American innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All US states and territories maintain a high barrier to entry that dissuades students from entering the accounting profession—the requirement that CPAs complete 150 credit hours of academic study in addition to passing an exam. This unnecessary requirement contributes to the current shortage of accountants, delaying the completion of state and local government financial audits and thus inhibiting the public’s ability to hold governments accountable.Speakers will discuss alternative paths to certification, including reforms to the 150‐​hour rule and competitive accounting certification bodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On February 26, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the cases of Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton. These cases are likely to have a significant impact on the future of free speech online and the way platforms engage in online content moderation.With the oral arguments fresh in mind, this multipanel event will feature a fireside chat with Steve DelBianco, president and CEO of NetChoice, before moving on to panels of legal and policy experts who will analyze the Florida and Texas laws at issue in these cases and discuss what happened at oral arguments. The NetChoicecases represent a pivotal moment in the future of First Amendment jurisprudence both online and offline. As such, it is important that Cato provides a forum for understanding not only the Court’s consideration of these cases but also the broader impact such proposals should have. Further panels will discuss the impact the cases will have on the debates over Section 230 and online speech for