http://www.cato.org/rss/event_podcasts_itunes.xml http://www.cato.org/realaudio/audiopages.html Event Podcast from the Cato Institute webmaster@cato.org (Cato Webmaster) en-us Copyright 2007, Cato Institute, All Rights Reserved Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT Podcast of policy and book forums, Capitol Hill briefings and other events from the Cato Institute Individual Liberty, Limited Government, Free Markets, and Peace The Cato Institute Cato,Institute,Events,Policy,Forums,Book,Forums,Conferences,Capitol,Hill,Briefings http://www.cato.org/images/subscriptions/catologo_podcast_2.jpg http://www.cato.org/events/archive.html Cato Logo 100 100 webmaster@cato.org Cato no http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=5083 Released to great acclaim in May 2008, The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom analyzes 12 U.S. Supreme Court decisions that, according to coauthors Robert Levy of the Cato Institute and William Mellor of the Institute for Justice, changed the course of American history away from constitutional government. In addition, The Dirty Dozen provides insights into the proper role of the Court and calls for judicial engagement to remedy these harmful decisions. The book has rapidly become the catalyst for an energetic, wide-reaching debate about the Supreme Court, generating an extensive range of opinions among legal professionals, concerned non-lawyers, and Court followers about the 12 cases, their impact, and the role of the Court. The Cato Institute and the American Constitution Society are pleased to provide a public platform for this important debate. Leading practitioners and academics from different perspectives will discuss the cases and the authors’ legal analyses. Please join us for what promises to be a dynamic event made even more significant by the historic Court decisions that have been handed down since the book’s publication only 2 months ago. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-07-31-08.mp3 Featuring co-author [William Mellor], President and General Counsel, Institute for Justice; [Ilya Shapiro], Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute and Editor-in-Chief, Cato Supreme Court Review; [David Barron], Professor o... Released to great acclaim in May 2008, The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom analyzes 12 U.S. Supreme Court decisions that, according to coauthors Robert Levy of the Cato Institute and William Mellor of the Institute for Justice, changed the course of American history away from constitutional government. In addition, The Dirty Dozen provides insights into the proper role of the Court and calls for judicial engagement to remedy these harmful decisions. The book has rapidly become the catalyst for an energetic, wide-reaching debate about the Supreme Court, generating an extensive range of opinions among legal professionals, concerned non-lawyers, and Court followers about the 12 cases, their impact, and the role of the Court. The Cato Institute and the American Constitution Society are pleased to provide a public platform for this important debate. Leading practitioners and academics from different perspectives will discuss the cases and the authors’ legal analyses. Please join us for what promises to be a dynamic event made even more significant by the historic Court decisions that have been handed down since the book’s publication only 2 months ago. 00:00:00 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=5178 The southern African countries of Botswana and Zimbabwe are neighbors. Botswana is peaceful, stable, and increasingly prosperous. Zimbabwe, in contrast, is beset by political and economic crises. Their diverging fortunes are partly explained by their government’s attitudes to economic freedom: Botswana is one of Africa’s economically freest states, and Zimbabwe is among Africa’s least free countries. Please join Zimbabwean human rights activist Rejoice Ngwenya and Cato’s Africa analyst Marian Tupy to discuss Zimbabwe’s meltdown, Botswana’s ascent, and lessons for the rest of Africa. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-07-28-08.mp3 Featuring [Rejoice Ngwenya], Writer and head of the Zimbabwean Coalition for Market & Liberal Solutions, and [Marian Tupy], Cato Institute.... The southern African countries of Botswana and Zimbabwe are neighbors. Botswana is peaceful, stable, and increasingly prosperous. Zimbabwe, in contrast, is beset by political and economic crises. Their diverging fortunes are partly explained by their government’s attitudes to economic freedom: Botswana is one of Africa’s economically freest states, and Zimbabwe is among Africa’s least free countries. Please join Zimbabwean human rights activist Rejoice Ngwenya and Cato’s Africa analyst Marian Tupy to discuss Zimbabwe’s meltdown, Botswana’s ascent, and lessons for the rest of Africa. 00:43:58 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=5168 Among the highest remaining U.S. tariffs are those imposed on imported shoes, with the highest duties applying to the cheapest shoes. Critics of the tariffs contend that they fall most heavily on the poorest American households while “saving” few domestic jobs. Defenders argue that the tariffs provide revenue for the federal government, have little impact on consumer prices, and steer trade to our free-trade partners at the expense of China. A bill in Congress to eliminate certain shoe tariffs, the Affordable Footwear Act, currently has more than 140 co-sponsors in the House and may be attached to the upcoming Miscellaneous Tariff Bill. Please join us for a forum featuring a co-sponsor of the footwear act and two trade experts who will debate the merits of lowering tariffs on imported shoes. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-07-25-08.mp3 Featuring [U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer], D-Oregon, [Ed Gresser], Progressive Policy Institute, and [William Hawkins], U.S. Business and Industry Council. Moderated by [Daniel T. Griswold], Cato Institute.... Among the highest remaining U.S. tariffs are those imposed on imported shoes, with the highest duties applying to the cheapest shoes. Critics of the tariffs contend that they fall most heavily on the poorest American households while “saving” few domestic jobs. Defenders argue that the tariffs provide revenue for the federal government, have little impact on consumer prices, and steer trade to our free-trade partners at the expense of China. A bill in Congress to eliminate certain shoe tariffs, the Affordable Footwear Act, currently has more than 140 co-sponsors in the House and may be attached to the upcoming Miscellaneous Tariff Bill. Please join us for a forum featuring a co-sponsor of the footwear act and two trade experts who will debate the merits of lowering tariffs on imported shoes. 01:17:40 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4975 In his provocative and compelling new book, George Will offers a fascinating look at the people, stories, and events that make the American drama so endlessly entertaining and instructive. With Will’s signature intellect and wry wit, One Man’s America chronicles a spectacular, eclectic procession of figures who have shaped our culture -- from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner to National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr., from Victorian poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, from cotton picker—turned—country singer Buck Owens to actor-turned-president Ronald Reagan. In addition, Will crisscrosses the country to illuminate what it is that makes America distinctive –- visits that include the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor; the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson; Civil War battlefields, and much more. And of course, One Man’s America would not be complete without Will’s insights on baseball -– the icons and the cheats, the hapless and the greats. Finally, in a personal and reflective turn, Will writes movingly of his thirty-five-year-old son Jon, born with Down syndrome, and pays loving and poignant tribute to his mother, who died at the age of ninety-eight after a long struggle with dementia. Buy This Book On Amazon.com Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-07-24-08.mp3 Featuring the author, [George F. Will], with an introduction by [Edward H. Crane], President, Cato Institute.... In his provocative and compelling new book, George Will offers a fascinating look at the people, stories, and events that make the American drama so endlessly entertaining and instructive. With Will’s signature intellect and wry wit, One Man’s America chronicles a spectacular, eclectic procession of figures who have shaped our culture -- from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner to National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr., from Victorian poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, from cotton picker—turned—country singer Buck Owens to actor-turned-president Ronald Reagan. In addition, Will crisscrosses the country to illuminate what it is that makes America distinctive –- visits that include the USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor; the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson; Civil War battlefields, and much more. And of course, One Man’s America would not be complete without Will’s insights on baseball -– the icons and the cheats, the hapless and the greats. Finally, in a personal and reflective turn, Will writes movingly of his thirty-five-year-old son Jon, born with Down syndrome, and pays loving and poignant tribute to his mother, who died at the age of ninety-eight after a long struggle with dementia. Buy This Book On Amazon.com 00:54:31 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4964 In 1908, the Justice Department created the Bureau of Investigation, a small division of detectives that was responsible for investigating violations of federal law. The division was filled with incompetent and corrupt agents until a young bureaucrat by the name of J. Edgar Hoover was brought in to clean house. Hoover reorganized the division and renamed it the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and he served as its director for nearly 50 years. As the federal government expanded over the years, so did the power of the Bureau. Today, the FBI employs more than twenty thousand people and spends approximately $6.5 billion per year. As the Bureau turns 100, it is an appropriate time to review its history, both good and bad, and to discuss its future. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-07-23-08.mp3 Featuring [John Fox], Historian, Federal Bureau of Investigation, [Athan Theoharis], Marquette University and author of The FBI & American Democracy, and [John F. Kelly], Investigative Reporter and author of Tainting Evidence: Inside the Scandal... In 1908, the Justice Department created the Bureau of Investigation, a small division of detectives that was responsible for investigating violations of federal law. The division was filled with incompetent and corrupt agents until a young bureaucrat by the name of J. Edgar Hoover was brought in to clean house. Hoover reorganized the division and renamed it the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and he served as its director for nearly 50 years. As the federal government expanded over the years, so did the power of the Bureau. Today, the FBI employs more than twenty thousand people and spends approximately $6.5 billion per year. As the Bureau turns 100, it is an appropriate time to review its history, both good and bad, and to discuss its future. 01:33:36 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4962 After an extended primary season, the 2008 presidential campaign is finally under way and the candidates are presenting—at least in some areas—starkly different economic policy proposals. Sen. John McCain is a career-long free trader, consistently voting against trade barriers and subsidies. Sen. Barack Obama, although possessing a shorter voting record, puts greater restrictions on his support for free trade and favors a time-out on new trade agreements and extensive review—and possible renegotiation—of existing ones. On fiscal policy, Sen. McCain wants lower taxes while Sen. Obama proposes to shift the tax burden to wealthier Americans. According to the National Taxpayers Union, Sen. McCain has endorsed $68 billion of additional government spending per year and Sen. Obama has called for nearly $344 billion of bigger government. How would these policies strengthen the U.S. economy or damage it? If Obama is elected, would Congress simply rubber-stamp his proposals? If McCain wins, would Congress approve his agenda? Please join us as our panel discusses the McCain and Obama tax, spending, and trade plans. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-07-15-08.mp3 Featuring [Sallie James], Center for Trade Policy Studies, Cato Institute, [Dan Mitchell], Cato Institute, and [Christian Weller], Center for American Progress.... After an extended primary season, the 2008 presidential campaign is finally under way and the candidates are presenting—at least in some areas—starkly different economic policy proposals. Sen. John McCain is a career-long free trader, consistently voting against trade barriers and subsidies. Sen. Barack Obama, although possessing a shorter voting record, puts greater restrictions on his support for free trade and favors a time-out on new trade agreements and extensive review—and possible renegotiation—of existing ones. On fiscal policy, Sen. McCain wants lower taxes while Sen. Obama proposes to shift the tax burden to wealthier Americans. According to the National Taxpayers Union, Sen. McCain has endorsed $68 billion of additional government spending per year and Sen. Obama has called for nearly $344 billion of bigger government. How would these policies strengthen the U.S. economy or damage it? If Obama is elected, would Congress simply rubber-stamp his proposals? If McCain wins, would Congress approve his agenda? Please join us as our panel discusses the McCain and Obama tax, spending, and trade plans. 01:14:33 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=5089 Improving the international trading system does not depend solely on new, comprehensive multilateral agreements. Countries can realize significant gains in commercial flows by undertaking trade facilitation—reforms that decrease administrative and physical impediments to transporting goods and services across borders. According to recent studies from several international economic institutions and a new Cato paper, trade facilitation reforms could increase global trade flows even more than further reductions in tariff rates and are primarily and substantially in the interest of the country implementing reform. Please join Cato trade scholar Daniel Ikenson and World Bank economist Simeon Djankov to discuss how to expand international commerce even without new multilateral trade agreements. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-07-11-08.mp3 Featuring [Simeon Djankov], World Bank and [Daniel Ikenson], Cato Institute ... Improving the international trading system does not depend solely on new, comprehensive multilateral agreements. Countries can realize significant gains in commercial flows by undertaking trade facilitation—reforms that decrease administrative and physical impediments to transporting goods and services across borders. According to recent studies from several international economic institutions and a new Cato paper, trade facilitation reforms could increase global trade flows even more than further reductions in tariff rates and are primarily and substantially in the interest of the country implementing reform. Please join Cato trade scholar Daniel Ikenson and World Bank economist Simeon Djankov to discuss how to expand international commerce even without new multilateral trade agreements. 00:44:10 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4956 The world's largest democracy, India, is an emerging economic giant. Reforms that began in the late 1980s and accelerated in the 1990s have led to high growth and have reduced poverty by one third. Professor Panagariya will discuss changes in Indian society that favor continued rapid growth. He will also explain why India should avoid policies that focus on equality rather than poverty reduction, and he will propose innovative reforms—such as school vouchers or cash transfers for health care—where government services have failed the poor. Swaminathan Aiyar will comment on the book’s outlook for India. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-07-02-08.mp3 Featuring the author [Arvind Panagariya], Jagdish Bhagwati Professor of Indian Political Economy, Columbia University with comments from [Swaminathan Aiyar], Research Fellow, Cato Institute.... The world's largest democracy, India, is an emerging economic giant. Reforms that began in the late 1980s and accelerated in the 1990s have led to high growth and have reduced poverty by one third. Professor Panagariya will discuss changes in Indian society that favor continued rapid growth. He will also explain why India should avoid policies that focus on equality rather than poverty reduction, and he will propose innovative reforms—such as school vouchers or cash transfers for health care—where government services have failed the poor. Swaminathan Aiyar will comment on the book’s outlook for India. 01:12:45 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4950 As the Doha Round lies in a cryogenic state, it is important to recognize that comprehensive, multilateral agreement to reduce trade barriers is not the only way to improve the international trading system. In fact, according to recent studies from the World Bank and other international economic institutions— a new study published by the Cato Institute —“trade facilitation” reforms could do more to increase global trade flows than further reductions in tariff rates. In broad terms, trade facilitation includes reforms aimed at improving the chain of administrative and physical procedures involved in the transport of goods and services across international borders. Countries with inadequate trade infrastructure, burdensome administrative processes, or limited competition in trade logistics services are less capable of benefiting from the opportunities of expanding global trade. And that goes for rich countries as well as developing countries. By streamlining and reforming bureaucratic procedures and encouraging competition in communications and transportation services, governments have been helping increase trade, investment, and growth in their economies. And these reforms have not required international consensus to implement. Please join us for a panel discussion with some of the world’s foremost experts on the topic of trade facilitation. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-06-26-08.mp3 Featuring [Steve Creskoff], Trade Lawyer, Creskoff and Doram LLP; [J. Michael Finger], Initial World Bank Coordinator for the Integrated Framework; [Bill Lane], Caterpillar, Inc.; and [John Wilson], Lead Economist, World Bank. Moderated by [Dan ... As the Doha Round lies in a cryogenic state, it is important to recognize that comprehensive, multilateral agreement to reduce trade barriers is not the only way to improve the international trading system. In fact, according to recent studies from the World Bank and other international economic institutions— a new study published by the Cato Institute —“trade facilitation” reforms could do more to increase global trade flows than further reductions in tariff rates. In broad terms, trade facilitation includes reforms aimed at improving the chain of administrative and physical procedures involved in the transport of goods and services across international borders. Countries with inadequate trade infrastructure, burdensome administrative processes, or limited competition in trade logistics services are less capable of benefiting from the opportunities of expanding global trade. And that goes for rich countries as well as developing countries. By streamlining and reforming bureaucratic procedures and encouraging competition in communications and transportation services, governments have been helping increase trade, investment, and growth in their economies. And these reforms have not required international consensus to implement. Please join us for a panel discussion with some of the world’s foremost experts on the topic of trade facilitation. 01:23:14 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4914 Why are we, in many respects, less free now than we were 200 years ago? How did we get from our Founders' Constitution, which established a strictly limited government, to today's Constitution, which has expanded government and curtailed individual rights? That's the story of The Dirty Dozen - a book written for non lawyers about 12 U.S. Supreme Court cases that moved the course of American history away from constitutional government. Whether it involves the regulation of commerce, political speech, economic liberties, property rights, welfare, racial preferences, gun owners' rights, or imprisonment without charge, the U.S. Supreme Court has behaved in a manner that would have stunned, mystified, and outraged our Founding Fathers. Please join co-author Robert Levy for a discussion of the 12 worst Supreme Court cases of the modern era. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-06-24-08.mp3 Featuring the co author [Robert A. Levy], Cato Institute. ... Why are we, in many respects, less free now than we were 200 years ago? How did we get from our Founders' Constitution, which established a strictly limited government, to today's Constitution, which has expanded government and curtailed individual rights? That's the story of The Dirty Dozen - a book written for non lawyers about 12 U.S. Supreme Court cases that moved the course of American history away from constitutional government. Whether it involves the regulation of commerce, political speech, economic liberties, property rights, welfare, racial preferences, gun owners' rights, or imprisonment without charge, the U.S. Supreme Court has behaved in a manner that would have stunned, mystified, and outraged our Founding Fathers. Please join co-author Robert Levy for a discussion of the 12 worst Supreme Court cases of the modern era. 00:41:33 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4948 On a continent scarred by political repression and economic underdevelopment, Botswana and Mauritius stand out. In 2007, Freedom House certified both countries as free, and the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World report found that Botswana and Mauritius had the two freest economies in Africa. According to the World Bank, the two also have—along with Seychelles—Africa’s highest per capita incomes. What explains that success? Why did the institutions of freedom take root in Botswana and Mauritius, while failing to do so in most other African countries? How do the two countries intend to maintain high growth in an increasingly globalized world? Please join us to hear our speakers elaborate on the past successes and future challenges facing Botswana and Mauritius. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-06-19-08.mp3 Featuring [Lapologang Caesar Lekoa], Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana and [Kailash Ruhee], Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius. Moderated by [Marian Tupy], Cato Institute. ... On a continent scarred by political repression and economic underdevelopment, Botswana and Mauritius stand out. In 2007, Freedom House certified both countries as free, and the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World report found that Botswana and Mauritius had the two freest economies in Africa. According to the World Bank, the two also have—along with Seychelles—Africa’s highest per capita incomes. What explains that success? Why did the institutions of freedom take root in Botswana and Mauritius, while failing to do so in most other African countries? How do the two countries intend to maintain high growth in an increasingly globalized world? Please join us to hear our speakers elaborate on the past successes and future challenges facing Botswana and Mauritius. 01:26:36 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4846 In a provocative new book, Jason Riley makes the case for welcoming more legal immigrants to the United States. Drawing on history, scholarly studies and first-hand reporting, Riley argues that today’s newcomers are fueling America’s prosperity and dynamism. He challenges the prevailing views on talk radio and cable TV that immigrants are overpopulating the country, stealing jobs, depressing wages, bankrupting social services, filling prisons, resisting assimilation and promoting big government. Comments will be provided by one of the nation’s leading political analysts. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-06-18-08.mp3 Featuring the author, [Jason L. Riley], Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, with comments by [Michael Barone], U.S. News & World Report. Moderated by [Daniel Griswold], Cato Institute.... In a provocative new book, Jason Riley makes the case for welcoming more legal immigrants to the United States. Drawing on history, scholarly studies and first-hand reporting, Riley argues that today’s newcomers are fueling America’s prosperity and dynamism. He challenges the prevailing views on talk radio and cable TV that immigrants are overpopulating the country, stealing jobs, depressing wages, bankrupting social services, filling prisons, resisting assimilation and promoting big government. Comments will be provided by one of the nation’s leading political analysts. 01:15:55 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4869 The United States confronts a host of foreign policy problems in the 21st century, yet the Republic's security strategy is increasingly muddled and counterproductive. The litany of misplaced priorities and policy failures grows ever larger. Ted Galen Carpenter examines America's foreign policy challenges and diagnoses what is wrong with Washington's current approach. Throughout these essays, Carpenter outlines an alternative strategy, Smart Power, that would protect America's security while avoiding unnecessary and unrewarding military adventures. Please join the author and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this timely and path-breaking book, Smart Power: Toward a Prudent Foreign Policy for America. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-06-17-08.mp3 Featuring the author [Ted Galen Carpenter], Cato Institute with comments by [Steven Clemons], New America Foundation and [Doug Bandow], American Conservative Defense Alliance.... The United States confronts a host of foreign policy problems in the 21st century, yet the Republic's security strategy is increasingly muddled and counterproductive. The litany of misplaced priorities and policy failures grows ever larger. Ted Galen Carpenter examines America's foreign policy challenges and diagnoses what is wrong with Washington's current approach. Throughout these essays, Carpenter outlines an alternative strategy, Smart Power, that would protect America's security while avoiding unnecessary and unrewarding military adventures. Please join the author and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this timely and path-breaking book, Smart Power: Toward a Prudent Foreign Policy for America. 01:10:40 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4786 In his two terms in the U.S. Senate, Chuck Hagel has distinguished himself as one of our nation’s most outspoken and thoughtful political leaders. Unafraid to challenge the policies of his own party, Senator Hagel has drawn praise and admiration from across the ideological spectrum by expressing grave concerns about the war in Iraq. In America: Our Next Chapter: Tough Questions, Straight Answers, Senator Hagel sets forth his vision for a humbler U.S. foreign policy guided by international diplomacy and free trade. He also addresses key domestic policy issues by calling for a significant reduction in the size of the federal government, demanding more fiscal responsibility in Washington, and supporting reforms to reduce the spiraling costs of entitlement programs. Please join Senator Hagel for a discussion of his new book, with introductory comments by Cato Institute president Edward H. Crane. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-06-12-08-1.mp3 Featuring the author, [Senator Chuck Hagel] (R-NE), with an introduction by [Edward H. Crane], President, Cato Institute. ... In his two terms in the U.S. Senate, Chuck Hagel has distinguished himself as one of our nation’s most outspoken and thoughtful political leaders. Unafraid to challenge the policies of his own party, Senator Hagel has drawn praise and admiration from across the ideological spectrum by expressing grave concerns about the war in Iraq. In America: Our Next Chapter: Tough Questions, Straight Answers, Senator Hagel sets forth his vision for a humbler U.S. foreign policy guided by international diplomacy and free trade. He also addresses key domestic policy issues by calling for a significant reduction in the size of the federal government, demanding more fiscal responsibility in Washington, and supporting reforms to reduce the spiraling costs of entitlement programs. Please join Senator Hagel for a discussion of his new book, with introductory comments by Cato Institute president Edward H. Crane. 01:11:41 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4894 Prof. Philip Zimbardo, the conductor of the infamous 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, has become a leading authority on the psychology of evil: How is it that people are induced to commit evil, even when they consider themselves “good” people? What social dynamics encourage—or discourage—cruelty toward other human beings? The Lucifer Effect offers a full reconstruction of the 1971 experiment based on archival video, subject diaries, exit interviews, and other contemporary material. It then gives an introduction to the psychology of social morality as it has developed over the years. The book culminates with an examination of the prisoner abuse scandals of Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, and elsewhere, challenging accounts that would hold individual soldiers solely responsible for their actions, and indicting the chain of command for knowingly creating conditions that would lead to degrading treatment and torture. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-06-12-08-2.mp3 Featuring the author, [Philip Zimbardo], Stanford University, with comments by [Julian Sanchez], Reason, and [Will Wilkinson], Cato Institute.... Prof. Philip Zimbardo, the conductor of the infamous 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, has become a leading authority on the psychology of evil: How is it that people are induced to commit evil, even when they consider themselves “good” people? What social dynamics encourage—or discourage—cruelty toward other human beings? The Lucifer Effect offers a full reconstruction of the 1971 experiment based on archival video, subject diaries, exit interviews, and other contemporary material. It then gives an introduction to the psychology of social morality as it has developed over the years. The book culminates with an examination of the prisoner abuse scandals of Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, and elsewhere, challenging accounts that would hold individual soldiers solely responsible for their actions, and indicting the chain of command for knowingly creating conditions that would lead to degrading treatment and torture. 01:40:18 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4940 Despite the conclusions one might draw from the constant barrage of media negativity, never before have people lived longer, healthier, and wealthier lives with lower risks of malnourishment, illiteracy, or death by war or natural disaster. In a recent report for the Swedish government, Cato senior fellow Johan Norberg has documented the largest, most rapid rise in human living standards ever, which occurred over the last four decades. He will review the factors that generated these advances and explain how even more economic liberty, free trade, and globalization are necessary to sustain them. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-06-06-08.mp3 Featuring [Johan Norberg], Author, In Defense of Global Capitalism, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute.... Despite the conclusions one might draw from the constant barrage of media negativity, never before have people lived longer, healthier, and wealthier lives with lower risks of malnourishment, illiteracy, or death by war or natural disaster. In a recent report for the Swedish government, Cato senior fellow Johan Norberg has documented the largest, most rapid rise in human living standards ever, which occurred over the last four decades. He will review the factors that generated these advances and explain how even more economic liberty, free trade, and globalization are necessary to sustain them. 00:41:25 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4904 China's rapid economic and military rise is causing understandable unease among American military planners. Although the Bush administration took office referring to China as a "strategic competitor," more recent statements of U.S. policy have focused on integrating China into the world community as a "responsible stakeholder." Does America's position as the sole superpower and China's as the primary rising power make U.S.-China conflict imminent and inevitable? If not, which potential flashpoints should be particular concerns for U.S. policymakers? Can American policy minimize tensions between the two powers? And what would open military confrontation between the United States and China look like? Please join Cato scholars Ted Galen Carpenter and Justin Logan for an exploration of national security and foreign policy issues related to China's rise. Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-05-30-08.mp3 Featuring [Ted Galen Carpenter], Cato Institute and [Justin Logan], Cato Institute.... China's rapid economic and military rise is causing understandable unease among American military planners. Although the Bush administration took office referring to China as a "strategic competitor," more recent statements of U.S. policy have focused on integrating China into the world community as a "responsible stakeholder." Does America's position as the sole superpower and China's as the primary rising power make U.S.-China conflict imminent and inevitable? If not, which potential flashpoints should be particular concerns for U.S. policymakers? Can American policy minimize tensions between the two powers? And what would open military confrontation between the United States and China look like? Please join Cato scholars Ted Galen Carpenter and Justin Logan for an exploration of national security and foreign policy issues related to China's rise. 00:27:22 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4805 What makes military occupations more or less likely to succeed? Drawing on 26 cases since 1815 where outside powers have seized territory without a claim to its sovereignty, David Edelstein attempts to determine why some occupations succeed and why so many seem doomed to failure. Edelstein combines detailed case studies with a theoretical approach and concludes that occupations face a paradox: Success requires a long-term and massive commitment of resources and attention; however, such large-scale occupations can elicit nationalist responses from the occupied populace. Further, as the occupier faces difficulty, discontent grows at home, and pressure builds to remove occupying forces. Examining the history of occupation as a component of grand strategy, Edelstein offers warnings for today’s policymakers, who seem tempted to include military occupations as part of the approach to countering terrorism. Please join the author and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this timely and pathbreaking book. Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-05-29-08.mp3 Featuring the author [David M. Edelstein], Assistant Professor, Georgetown University, with comments by [Robert M. Perito], U.S. Institute of Peace and [Christopher Preble], Cato Institute.... What makes military occupations more or less likely to succeed? Drawing on 26 cases since 1815 where outside powers have seized territory without a claim to its sovereignty, David Edelstein attempts to determine why some occupations succeed and why so many seem doomed to failure. Edelstein combines detailed case studies with a theoretical approach and concludes that occupations face a paradox: Success requires a long-term and massive commitment of resources and attention; however, such large-scale occupations can elicit nationalist responses from the occupied populace. Further, as the occupier faces difficulty, discontent grows at home, and pressure builds to remove occupying forces. Examining the history of occupation as a component of grand strategy, Edelstein offers warnings for today’s policymakers, who seem tempted to include military occupations as part of the approach to countering terrorism. Please join the author and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this timely and pathbreaking book. 01:17:36 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4842 In reauthorizing the federal gas tax and surface transportation funding, the next Congress can continue historic trends of dictating thousands of earmarks and other mandates that reduce our transportation efficiency and, like recent ethanol programs, have huge unintended consequences. Or it can streamline federal transportation programs to make urban and other surface transport systems run smoothly, efficiently, and with minimal waste of energy and greenhouse gas emissions. This policy forum will present a variety of proposals for breaking out of the transportation gridlock we currently suffer. Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-05-27-08.mp3 Featuring [Randal O’Toole], Cato Institute, [Samuel Staley], Reason Foundation, [Greg Cohen], American Highway User Alliance. Moderated by [Jerry Taylor], Cato Institute. ... In reauthorizing the federal gas tax and surface transportation funding, the next Congress can continue historic trends of dictating thousands of earmarks and other mandates that reduce our transportation efficiency and, like recent ethanol programs, have huge unintended consequences. Or it can streamline federal transportation programs to make urban and other surface transport systems run smoothly, efficiently, and with minimal waste of energy and greenhouse gas emissions. This policy forum will present a variety of proposals for breaking out of the transportation gridlock we currently suffer. 01:43:31 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4838 The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act—known as the "Akaka Bill"-would grant "native Hawaiians" federal recognition akin to that now enjoyed by Indian tribes. The bill creates a special authority that would exempt sufficiently ethnic Hawaiians from certain aspects of federal and state power. Having already passed the House and been reported out of Senate committee, the Akaka Bill is now due to be taken up by the full Senate. President Bush has promised a veto—citing the U.S. Civil Rights Commission's conclusion that it "would discriminate on the basis of race … and further subdivide the American people into discrete subgroups accorded varying degrees of privilege." Are these sorts of measures simply a matter of long-delayed justice? Does the Akaka Bill satisfy constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process? What kind of precedent would it establish for other ethnic groups? And what would be the economic effects on businesses and tourism in Hawaii? Please join us for a discussion of these and other political, economic, legal, and historical issues. Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-05-21-08.mp3 Featuring [Jere Krischel], Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, [Elaine Willman], Citizens Equal Rights Alliance, [Andresen Blom], Research Institute for Hawaii, and [Ilya Shapiro], Cato Institute.... The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act—known as the "Akaka Bill"-would grant "native Hawaiians" federal recognition akin to that now enjoyed by Indian tribes. The bill creates a special authority that would exempt sufficiently ethnic Hawaiians from certain aspects of federal and state power. Having already passed the House and been reported out of Senate committee, the Akaka Bill is now due to be taken up by the full Senate. President Bush has promised a veto—citing the U.S. Civil Rights Commission's conclusion that it "would discriminate on the basis of race … and further subdivide the American people into discrete subgroups accorded varying degrees of privilege." Are these sorts of measures simply a matter of long-delayed justice? Does the Akaka Bill satisfy constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process? What kind of precedent would it establish for other ethnic groups? And what would be the economic effects on businesses and tourism in Hawaii? Please join us for a discussion of these and other political, economic, legal, and historical issues. 00:47:33 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4818 Foreign policy analysts are misreading the lessons of Iraq. The emerging conventional wisdom holds that success could have been achieved in Iraq with more troops, more cooperation among U.S. government agencies, and better counterinsurgency doctrine. Yet the Bush administration’s failures and errors in judgment did not derive from poor planning, but from flawed assumptions about the nature of Iraqi society. The difficulties in Iraq demonstrate the need for a new national security strategy and a newfound appreciation for the limits of power, not simply better tactics and tools. By insisting that Iraq was ours to remake were it not for the administration’s mismanagement, U.S. policy makers risk repeating these mistakes. Please join Cato scholars Christopher Preble and Benjamin H. Friedman for a discussion of these issues, which they and co-author Harvey Sapolsky also explore in the recent policy analysis, “Learning the Right Lessons from Iraq.” Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-05-16-08.mp3 Featuring [Christopher Preble], Director of Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute, and [Benjamin H. Friedman], Research Fellow in Defense and Homeland Security Studies, Cato Institute.... Foreign policy analysts are misreading the lessons of Iraq. The emerging conventional wisdom holds that success could have been achieved in Iraq with more troops, more cooperation among U.S. government agencies, and better counterinsurgency doctrine. Yet the Bush administration’s failures and errors in judgment did not derive from poor planning, but from flawed assumptions about the nature of Iraqi society. The difficulties in Iraq demonstrate the need for a new national security strategy and a newfound appreciation for the limits of power, not simply better tactics and tools. By insisting that Iraq was ours to remake were it not for the administration’s mismanagement, U.S. policy makers risk repeating these mistakes. Please join Cato scholars Christopher Preble and Benjamin H. Friedman for a discussion of these issues, which they and co-author Harvey Sapolsky also explore in the recent policy analysis, “Learning the Right Lessons from Iraq.” 00:32:16 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4424 It is 2008. Research suggests the federal Medicare program spends as much as $100 billion per year on medical care that makes seniors no healthier or happier. Its payment system continues to reward low-quality and even harmful medical care. The trustees of the Medicare program have issued yet another annual report containing dire warnings about Medicare's financial sustainability, including an unfunded liability of $86 trillion. The picture is far worse than it was when politicians were developing fundamental Medicare reforms 10 years ago. Yet politicians today seem uninterested. The president has proposed reforms that would barely slow the program's growing dependence on general revenues-a proposal that Congress has largely ignored. Leading presidential candidates advocate tweaks-such as reducing payments for private plans and prescription drugs, or tying payments to quality measures-rather than fundamental reform. Come hear leading analysts discuss whether the case for Medicare reform is any less powerful now than in the past. Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-05-15-08.mp3 Featuring [Thomas R. Saving], Medicare trustee, 2001-2007 and [Stuart Guterman], Commonwealth Fund. Moderated by [Michael F. Cannon], Cato Institute.... It is 2008. Research suggests the federal Medicare program spends as much as $100 billion per year on medical care that makes seniors no healthier or happier. Its payment system continues to reward low-quality and even harmful medical care. The trustees of the Medicare program have issued yet another annual report containing dire warnings about Medicare's financial sustainability, including an unfunded liability of $86 trillion. The picture is far worse than it was when politicians were developing fundamental Medicare reforms 10 years ago. Yet politicians today seem uninterested. The president has proposed reforms that would barely slow the program's growing dependence on general revenues-a proposal that Congress has largely ignored. Leading presidential candidates advocate tweaks-such as reducing payments for private plans and prescription drugs, or tying payments to quality measures-rather than fundamental reform. Come hear leading analysts discuss whether the case for Medicare reform is any less powerful now than in the past. 01:21:11 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4763 Starting in the 1970s, conservatives learned that electoral victory did not easily convert into a reversal of important liberal accomplishments, especially in the law. As a result, conservatives' mobilizing efforts increasingly turned to law schools, professional networks, public interest groups, and the judiciary—areas traditionally controlled by liberals. Drawing from previously unavailable internal documents, as well as interviews with key figures, The Rise of the Conservative Legal Movement examines this sometimes fitful, and still only partially successful, conservative (and libertarian) challenge to liberal domination of the law. Steven Teles explores how this mobilization was shaped by the legal profession and the difficulties in matching strategic opportunities with effective organizational responses. He explains how foundations and other groups promoting conservative ideas built a network designed to dislodge legal liberalism from American elite institutions. And he portrays the reality, not of a grand strategy masterfully pursued, but of individuals and political entrepreneurs learning from trial and error. The book provides an unprecedented look at the inner life of one of the most striking developments in American public affairs over the last several decades. Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-05-14-08.mp3 Featuring the author, [Steven Teles], University of Maryland and Yale University Law School, with comments from [Roger Pilon], Cato Institute and [Hon. David McIntosh], Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, former Member of Congress (R-IN), Federalist Socie... Starting in the 1970s, conservatives learned that electoral victory did not easily convert into a reversal of important liberal accomplishments, especially in the law. As a result, conservatives' mobilizing efforts increasingly turned to law schools, professional networks, public interest groups, and the judiciary—areas traditionally controlled by liberals. Drawing from previously unavailable internal documents, as well as interviews with key figures, The Rise of the Conservative Legal Movement examines this sometimes fitful, and still only partially successful, conservative (and libertarian) challenge to liberal domination of the law. Steven Teles explores how this mobilization was shaped by the legal profession and the difficulties in matching strategic opportunities with effective organizational responses. He explains how foundations and other groups promoting conservative ideas built a network designed to dislodge legal liberalism from American elite institutions. And he portrays the reality, not of a grand strategy masterfully pursued, but of individuals and political entrepreneurs learning from trial and error. The book provides an unprecedented look at the inner life of one of the most striking developments in American public affairs over the last several decades. 01:23:49 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4646 Following the Rose Revolution of 2003, the former Soviet Republic of Georgia began far-reaching reforms in governance and economic policy that are turning the country into a post-socialist success story. Georgia now ranks 44th out of 141 countries on the Economic Freedom of the World index, is cited by the World Bank as one of the world's leading reformers, and is sustaining economic growth of more than 9 percent per year. Kakha Bendukidze, one of Georgia's key reformers, will explain how his country is rapidly modernizing and will share his vision for continued high growth in a sometimes hostile neighborhood. Andrei Illarionov will assess Georgia's progress and highlight its remaining challenges in consolidating democratic capitalism. Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-05-13-08.mp3 Featuring [Kakha Bendukidze], Head of the State Chancellery, Georgia, with comments by [Andrei Illarionov], Senior Fellow, Cato Institute, and Former Economic Adviser to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Moderated by [Ian Vásquez], Cato Institu... Following the Rose Revolution of 2003, the former Soviet Republic of Georgia began far-reaching reforms in governance and economic policy that are turning the country into a post-socialist success story. Georgia now ranks 44th out of 141 countries on the Economic Freedom of the World index, is cited by the World Bank as one of the world's leading reformers, and is sustaining economic growth of more than 9 percent per year. Kakha Bendukidze, one of Georgia's key reformers, will explain how his country is rapidly modernizing and will share his vision for continued high growth in a sometimes hostile neighborhood. Andrei Illarionov will assess Georgia's progress and highlight its remaining challenges in consolidating democratic capitalism. 01:19:51 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4565 Taxation was central to the evolution of government in colonial America, and complaints about taxation led directly to the Revolution in 1776. Taxation in Colonial America provides a definitive history of taxation in the colonies from Jamestown to the Revolution. In almost 1,000 pages, Rabushka’s book covers an array of fascinating subjects such as the monetary systems of the colonies, British governance and politics, tax evasion and tax revolts, the development of colonial legislatures, and differences in tax systems between the colonies. The level of interesting detail about both tax and nontax subjects in this book is astounding. This forum will be a treat for anyone interested in taxation, American history, or the development of English and American political structures. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-05-08-08-1.mp3 Featuring the author [Alvin Rabushka], Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Moderated by [Chris Edwards], Cato Institute.... Taxation was central to the evolution of government in colonial America, and complaints about taxation led directly to the Revolution in 1776. Taxation in Colonial America provides a definitive history of taxation in the colonies from Jamestown to the Revolution. In almost 1,000 pages, Rabushka’s book covers an array of fascinating subjects such as the monetary systems of the colonies, British governance and politics, tax evasion and tax revolts, the development of colonial legislatures, and differences in tax systems between the colonies. The level of interesting detail about both tax and nontax subjects in this book is astounding. This forum will be a treat for anyone interested in taxation, American history, or the development of English and American political structures. 01:15:25 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4755 Conservatives love war, empire, and the military-industrial complex. They abhor peace, the sole and rightful property of liberals. Right? Wrong. According to Bill Kauffman, true conservatives have always resisted the imperial and military impulse: it drains the treasury, curtails domestic liberties, breaks down families, and vulgarizes culture. From the Federalists who opposed the War of 1812, to the striving of Robert Taft (known as "Mr. Republican") to keep the United States out of Korea, to the latter-day libertarian critics of the Iraq war, there has historically been nothing unusual about anti-war activists on the political right. And while these critics of U.S. military crusades have been vilified by the party of George W. Bush, their conservative vision of a peaceful, decentralized, and noninterventionist America gives us a glimpse of the country we could have had—and might yet attain. Passionate and witty, Ain't My America is an eye-opening exploration of the forgotten history of right-wing peace movements—and a clarion call to anti-war conservatives of today. But Michael Tomasky, the former executive editor of the American Prospect who now edits the Guardian newspaper's American online edition, begs to differ. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-05-08-08-2.mp3 Featuring the author [Bill Kauffman], with comments by [Michael Tomasky], Editor, Guardian America. Moderated by [David Boaz], Cato Institute.... Conservatives love war, empire, and the military-industrial complex. They abhor peace, the sole and rightful property of liberals. Right? Wrong. According to Bill Kauffman, true conservatives have always resisted the imperial and military impulse: it drains the treasury, curtails domestic liberties, breaks down families, and vulgarizes culture. From the Federalists who opposed the War of 1812, to the striving of Robert Taft (known as "Mr. Republican") to keep the United States out of Korea, to the latter-day libertarian critics of the Iraq war, there has historically been nothing unusual about anti-war activists on the political right. And while these critics of U.S. military crusades have been vilified by the party of George W. Bush, their conservative vision of a peaceful, decentralized, and noninterventionist America gives us a glimpse of the country we could have had—and might yet attain. Passionate and witty, Ain't My America is an eye-opening exploration of the forgotten history of right-wing peace movements—and a clarion call to anti-war conservatives of today. But Michael Tomasky, the former executive editor of the American Prospect who now edits the Guardian newspaper's American online edition, begs to differ. 01:06:38 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4736 On May 11, 2008, the statutory deadline for compliance with the REAL ID Act will pass without a single state meeting its requirements. Indeed, more than 17 states have passed legislation objecting to or outright refusing to implement this national ID law. Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security handed out extensions of the compliance deadline just for the asking, but state leaders from across the ideological spectrum refused even this small gesture of acquiescence. A REAL ID rebellion is underway, and it has ushered in a debate on whether the United States should have a national ID system. The debate didn’t happen when the law passed because Congress held no hearings, and there was no up-or-down vote on REAL ID in the Senate. Votes this year on REAL ID funding, or perhaps repeal of the national ID law, will reveal where Members of Congress stand on the question whether law-abiding American citizens should be practically or legally required to carry a national ID. Please join us to hear two prominent leaders present their distinct perspectives on REAL ID, identification policy, national and individual security, identity fraud, and privacy. Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-05-07-08.mp3 Featuring [Mark Sanford], Republican Governor of South Carolina and [Jon Tester], Democratic U.S. Senator from Montana. Moderated by [Jim Harper], Cato Institute.... On May 11, 2008, the statutory deadline for compliance with the REAL ID Act will pass without a single state meeting its requirements. Indeed, more than 17 states have passed legislation objecting to or outright refusing to implement this national ID law. Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security handed out extensions of the compliance deadline just for the asking, but state leaders from across the ideological spectrum refused even this small gesture of acquiescence. A REAL ID rebellion is underway, and it has ushered in a debate on whether the United States should have a national ID system. The debate didn’t happen when the law passed because Congress held no hearings, and there was no up-or-down vote on REAL ID in the Senate. Votes this year on REAL ID funding, or perhaps repeal of the national ID law, will reveal where Members of Congress stand on the question whether law-abiding American citizens should be practically or legally required to carry a national ID. Please join us to hear two prominent leaders present their distinct perspectives on REAL ID, identification policy, national and individual security, identity fraud, and privacy. 00:56:52 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4751 Why are we, in many respects, less free now than we were 200 years ago? How did we get from our Founders’ Constitution, which established a strictly limited government, to today’s Constitution, which has expanded government and curtailed individual rights? That’s the story of The Dirty Dozen — a book written for non-lawyers about 12 U.S. Supreme Court cases that moved the course of American history away from constitutional government. Whether it involves the regulation of commerce, political speech, economic liberties, property rights, welfare, racial preferences, gun owners’ rights, or imprisonment without charge, the U.S. Supreme Court has behaved in a manner that would have stunned, mystified, and outraged our Founding Fathers. We were supposed to have a government of limited power and maximum freedom for the individual. Instead, we have been afflicted by a vast enlargement of both federal and state power, condoned by a Supreme Court that has selectively protected some — but not all — of our constitutionally guaranteed rights. Please join the authors for a discussion of the 12 worst Supreme Court cases of the modern era, with commentary by the dean of Supreme Court reporters. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-05-06-08.mp3 Featuring the authors [Robert A. Levy], Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute, and [William Mellor], President and General Counsel, Institute for Justice, with comments by [Lyle Denniston], Supreme Court Correspondent for SCOTU... Why are we, in many respects, less free now than we were 200 years ago? How did we get from our Founders’ Constitution, which established a strictly limited government, to today’s Constitution, which has expanded government and curtailed individual rights? That’s the story of The Dirty Dozen — a book written for non-lawyers about 12 U.S. Supreme Court cases that moved the course of American history away from constitutional government. Whether it involves the regulation of commerce, political speech, economic liberties, property rights, welfare, racial preferences, gun owners’ rights, or imprisonment without charge, the U.S. Supreme Court has behaved in a manner that would have stunned, mystified, and outraged our Founding Fathers. We were supposed to have a government of limited power and maximum freedom for the individual. Instead, we have been afflicted by a vast enlargement of both federal and state power, condoned by a Supreme Court that has selectively protected some — but not all — of our constitutionally guaranteed rights. Please join the authors for a discussion of the 12 worst Supreme Court cases of the modern era, with commentary by the dean of Supreme Court reporters. 01:28:25 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4526 Expanding on their widely discussed article on "libertarian paternalism," Professors Sunstein and Thaler argue that people often make bad choices on diet, retirement savings, health insurance, and contributing to climate change. In their new book they examine how human beings make decisions. Recent scientific research shows that people are susceptible to cognitive biases and blunders. Because we are human, we are fallible, and because we are fallible, we can use all the help we can get. Sunstein and Thaler argue that by knowing how people think, we can design choice environments that make it easier for people to choose what is best for themselves, their families, and their society. Using colorful examples from the most important aspects of life, Thaler and Sunstein demonstrate how thoughtful "choice architecture" can be established to nudge us in beneficial directions without restricting freedom of choice. Will Wilkinson and Terrence Chorvat will raise questions about the proper place of "choice architecture" in a free society and the plausibility of "libertarian paternalism." Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-05-01-08.mp3 Featuring the coauthor [Cass Sunstein], University of Chicago Law School, with comments by [Terrence Chorvat], George Mason University Law School and [Will Wilkinson], Cato Institute.... Expanding on their widely discussed article on "libertarian paternalism," Professors Sunstein and Thaler argue that people often make bad choices on diet, retirement savings, health insurance, and contributing to climate change. In their new book they examine how human beings make decisions. Recent scientific research shows that people are susceptible to cognitive biases and blunders. Because we are human, we are fallible, and because we are fallible, we can use all the help we can get. Sunstein and Thaler argue that by knowing how people think, we can design choice environments that make it easier for people to choose what is best for themselves, their families, and their society. Using colorful examples from the most important aspects of life, Thaler and Sunstein demonstrate how thoughtful "choice architecture" can be established to nudge us in beneficial directions without restricting freedom of choice. Will Wilkinson and Terrence Chorvat will raise questions about the proper place of "choice architecture" in a free society and the plausibility of "libertarian paternalism." 01:29:14 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4674 In the aftermath of 9/11, President Bush declared that the struggle against terrorism would be nothing less than a war-a new kind of war that would require new tactics, new government powers, and a new mindset. In a new book, Bush's Law, Eric Lichtblau argues that counterterrorism officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency were asked to play roles they had never played before. To facilitate these new roles, legal restrictions were set aside, or disregarded, as administration officials sanctioned new intelligence and law enforcement programs. As a reporter for the New York Times, Lichtblau helped to break the story on the NSA's warrantless wiretapping program, for which he was later awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-04-23-08.mp3 Featuring the author [Eric Lichtblau], New York Times. Moderated by [Timothy Lynch], Cato Institute. ... In the aftermath of 9/11, President Bush declared that the struggle against terrorism would be nothing less than a war-a new kind of war that would require new tactics, new government powers, and a new mindset. In a new book, Bush's Law, Eric Lichtblau argues that counterterrorism officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency were asked to play roles they had never played before. To facilitate these new roles, legal restrictions were set aside, or disregarded, as administration officials sanctioned new intelligence and law enforcement programs. As a reporter for the New York Times, Lichtblau helped to break the story on the NSA's warrantless wiretapping program, for which he was later awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. 00:52:48 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4683 On April 22, just as Pennsylvania Democrats go the polls in the last large primary before their nominating convention, the Supreme Court will hear yet another challenge to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law: The Millionaires’ Amendment attempts to discourage congressional candidates from spending more than $350,000 of their own money on their election campaigns. It penalizes expenditures above that threshold by allowing increased contribution limits and unlimited coordinated party expenditures for the self-financing candidate's opponent. Does this penalty unconstitutionally chill protected political speech, or is there a compelling governmental interest at stake? How does self-financing impact corruption or the concept of a level playing field? Please join Cato scholars John Samples and Ilya Shapiro for a lively exploration of the Millionaires’ Amendment and other election regulations affecting this campaign season. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-04-21-08.mp3 Featuring [John Samples], Director, Center for Representative Government, Cato Institute, and [Ilya Shapiro], Senior Fellow, Center for Constitutional Studies and Editor-in-Chief, Cato Supreme Court Review, Cato Institute.... On April 22, just as Pennsylvania Democrats go the polls in the last large primary before their nominating convention, the Supreme Court will hear yet another challenge to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law: The Millionaires’ Amendment attempts to discourage congressional candidates from spending more than $350,000 of their own money on their election campaigns. It penalizes expenditures above that threshold by allowing increased contribution limits and unlimited coordinated party expenditures for the self-financing candidate's opponent. Does this penalty unconstitutionally chill protected political speech, or is there a compelling governmental interest at stake? How does self-financing impact corruption or the concept of a level playing field? Please join Cato scholars John Samples and Ilya Shapiro for a lively exploration of the Millionaires’ Amendment and other election regulations affecting this campaign season. 00:34:07 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4765 In the modern global economy, highly skilled workers are increasingly important to continued growth and prosperity. Yet despite the dramatically increasing demand for foreign skilled labor, Congress has failed to increase the number of H-1B visas. As a result, U.S. immigration laws permit only a fraction of willing, skilled workers to add their talents to our society, reducing the welfare of both domestic workers and those who were denied access. Please join Senator Judd Gregg and Cato scholar Daniel Griswold for a discussion of reforming U.S. immigration policy to improve economic growth, expand individual choice, and maintain America's competitive advantage in innovation. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-04-17-08.mp3 Featuring [Senator Judd Gregg] (R-NH) and [Daniel Griswold], Director, Center for Trade Policy Studies, Cato Institute.... In the modern global economy, highly skilled workers are increasingly important to continued growth and prosperity. Yet despite the dramatically increasing demand for foreign skilled labor, Congress has failed to increase the number of H-1B visas. As a result, U.S. immigration laws permit only a fraction of willing, skilled workers to add their talents to our society, reducing the welfare of both domestic workers and those who were denied access. Please join Senator Judd Gregg and Cato scholar Daniel Griswold for a discussion of reforming U.S. immigration policy to improve economic growth, expand individual choice, and maintain America's competitive advantage in innovation. 00:21:16 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4451 A quarter century ago, A Nation at Risk shook the country and energized two education reform movements: school choice, and government-driven standards and accountability. For years, proponents of these reforms coexisted, even cooperated, but rifts have begun to appear. "Instructionists" now argue that markets without government standards are doomed to fail, while market reformers assail government standards as futile and anti-competitive. Please join our panelists as they debate the role of these reforms in fixing American education, 25 years after A Nation at Risk. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-04-16-08.mp3 Featuring [Sol Stern], Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute; [Gary Huggins], Director, Commission on No Child Left Behind, Aspen Institute; [Andrew Coulson], Director, Center for Educational Freedom, Cato Institute; and [John Merrifield], Professo... A quarter century ago, A Nation at Risk shook the country and energized two education reform movements: school choice, and government-driven standards and accountability. For years, proponents of these reforms coexisted, even cooperated, but rifts have begun to appear. "Instructionists" now argue that markets without government standards are doomed to fail, while market reformers assail government standards as futile and anti-competitive. Please join our panelists as they debate the role of these reforms in fixing American education, 25 years after A Nation at Risk. 01:24:50 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4663 In May 2007, congressional leaders agreed to consider free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Korea, Panama, and Peru if they were accompanied by additional labor and environmental standards. In the wake of the December 2007 U.S.-Peru FTA passage, key congressional leaders now demand substantial expansion in the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program before considering the other three FTAs. But can TAA expansion ensure enactment of the other agreements? Is it a trade-off worth making? And why are these particular bilateral trade agreements important to American interests? Finally, should the White House use the fast-track rules to force Congress to vote? Please join Cato Institute trade scholars Daniel Griswold and Sallie James for a discussion about why expansions of free trade should not be held hostage to a domestic welfare program. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-04-11-08.mp3 Featuring [Daniel T. Griswold], Director, Center for Trade Policy Studies, Cato Institute, and [Sallie James], Trade Policy Analyst, Cato Institute.... In May 2007, congressional leaders agreed to consider free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Korea, Panama, and Peru if they were accompanied by additional labor and environmental standards. In the wake of the December 2007 U.S.-Peru FTA passage, key congressional leaders now demand substantial expansion in the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program before considering the other three FTAs. But can TAA expansion ensure enactment of the other agreements? Is it a trade-off worth making? And why are these particular bilateral trade agreements important to American interests? Finally, should the White House use the fast-track rules to force Congress to vote? Please join Cato Institute trade scholars Daniel Griswold and Sallie James for a discussion about why expansions of free trade should not be held hostage to a domestic welfare program. 00:52:12 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4583 America's increasingly loud and bipartisan call for energy independence may well be having a negative impact on world crude oil markets. A. F. Alhajji, one of America's most widely published academic oil economists, believes that investment trends in oil-producing countries are being affected by our (largely rhetorical) campaign against foreign oil. The net result is less oil and gas exports and higher world prices. Alhajji is a syndicated columnist and a regular contributing editor for one of the industry's premier publications, World Oil magazine. In addition, he is an associate editor for Oil, Gas and Energy Law. Alhajji is also the energy columnist for the major daily business newspaper in Saudi Arabia, Aleqtisadiah. His articles have appeared in numerous countries and in more than 10 languages. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-04-09-08.mp3 Featuring [A. F. Alhajji], Associate Professor at the College of Business Administration, Ohio Northern University. Moderated by [Jerry Taylor], Cato Institute.... America's increasingly loud and bipartisan call for energy independence may well be having a negative impact on world crude oil markets. A. F. Alhajji, one of America's most widely published academic oil economists, believes that investment trends in oil-producing countries are being affected by our (largely rhetorical) campaign against foreign oil. The net result is less oil and gas exports and higher world prices. Alhajji is a syndicated columnist and a regular contributing editor for one of the industry's premier publications, World Oil magazine. In addition, he is an associate editor for Oil, Gas and Energy Law. Alhajji is also the energy columnist for the major daily business newspaper in Saudi Arabia, Aleqtisadiah. His articles have appeared in numerous countries and in more than 10 languages. 01:19:52 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4589 Many African states have been addicted to Western aid for decades. Unfortunately, Africa as a whole has stagnated and some African countries are poorer today then they were in the 1960s. In recent years, advocates of foreign aid have called for making aid more efficient, but that may be easier said than done. The problem, some critics argue, is that aid supports predatory governments and perpetuates institutions that are alien to Africa. The "modern" state, characterized by Western-style elections and bureaucracies, may be ill-suited to African conditions. Failing governments should be allowed to collapse and be replaced by institutions indigenous to Africa. Our panel will discuss the likely consequences of ending aid and consider subsequent institutional developments. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-04-02-08.mp3 Featuring: [Edward N. Luttwak], Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies; [George Ayittey], Professor of Economics, American University; and [Mauro De Lorenzo], Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute. Moderated by... Many African states have been addicted to Western aid for decades. Unfortunately, Africa as a whole has stagnated and some African countries are poorer today then they were in the 1960s. In recent years, advocates of foreign aid have called for making aid more efficient, but that may be easier said than done. The problem, some critics argue, is that aid supports predatory governments and perpetuates institutions that are alien to Africa. The "modern" state, characterized by Western-style elections and bureaucracies, may be ill-suited to African conditions. Failing governments should be allowed to collapse and be replaced by institutions indigenous to Africa. Our panel will discuss the likely consequences of ending aid and consider subsequent institutional developments. 01:23:24 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4500 On March 29 Zimbabweans will cast their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections that are likely to be rigged in favor of Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party. Mugabe and the ZANU-PF elite have presided over the collapse of living standards in Zimbabwe and the destruction of her economy. They are also responsible for massive human rights abuses that include a massacre of some 20,000 civilians in the Matabeleland in the 1980s. The panel will discuss the current economic and political situation in Zimbabwe, and possible post-election scenarios. The forum will coincide with the release of a new Cato study detailing Zimbabwe's decline. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-03-24-08.mp3 Featuring: [Walter H. Kansteiner], Principal, Scowcroft Group Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; [Carol Thompson], Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State; and [Richard Tren], Director, Af... On March 29 Zimbabweans will cast their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections that are likely to be rigged in favor of Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party. Mugabe and the ZANU-PF elite have presided over the collapse of living standards in Zimbabwe and the destruction of her economy. They are also responsible for massive human rights abuses that include a massacre of some 20,000 civilians in the Matabeleland in the 1980s. The panel will discuss the current economic and political situation in Zimbabwe, and possible post-election scenarios. The forum will coincide with the release of a new Cato study detailing Zimbabwe's decline. 01:14:42 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4437 This book takes a fresh look at the role of the Supreme Court in our constitutional system. Although criticisms of judicial power often attribute its rise to the activism of justices seeking to advance particular political ideologies, Patrick Garry argues instead that the Court’s power has grown mainly because of certain New Deal-era decisions that initially seemed to portend a lessening of that power. The Rehnquist Court tried to strengthen the Constitution's structural protections of liberty but, according to Garry, this effort only went halfway because the Court relied exclusively on judicially enforced rights. A more comprehensive reform would require a return to a reliance on federalism and separation of powers as devices for protecting liberty. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-03-19-08.mp3 Featuring the author [Patrick Garry], University of South Dakota Law School; with comments by [Roger Pilon], Cato Institute, and [Abe Krash], Georgetown University Law Center and Arnold & Porter LLP; moderated by [Ilya Shapiro], Cato Institute.... This book takes a fresh look at the role of the Supreme Court in our constitutional system. Although criticisms of judicial power often attribute its rise to the activism of justices seeking to advance particular political ideologies, Patrick Garry argues instead that the Court’s power has grown mainly because of certain New Deal-era decisions that initially seemed to portend a lessening of that power. The Rehnquist Court tried to strengthen the Constitution's structural protections of liberty but, according to Garry, this effort only went halfway because the Court relied exclusively on judicially enforced rights. A more comprehensive reform would require a return to a reliance on federalism and separation of powers as devices for protecting liberty. 01:13:00 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4525 Economic success-among individuals, firms, products and countries-is often unexpected and unpredicted. William Easterly will draw on insights from Nobel laureate Friedrich Hayek to explain why prediction is difficult, success is rare and failure is common; the advantages of decentralized decision making to discover what works best in the market and in public policy; and the need to rely on dispersed and local knowledge, rather than government planning, for poor countries to achieve growth. Arvind Subramanian will draw on his experience working at multilateral institutions to comment on the relevance of Hayek's insights to developing countries and the current foreign aid debate. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-03-18-08.mp3 Featuring [William Easterly], Professor of Economics, New York University, with comments by [Arvind Subramanian], Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics. Moderator [Ian Vásquez], Cato Institute.... Economic success-among individuals, firms, products and countries-is often unexpected and unpredicted. William Easterly will draw on insights from Nobel laureate Friedrich Hayek to explain why prediction is difficult, success is rare and failure is common; the advantages of decentralized decision making to discover what works best in the market and in public policy; and the need to rely on dispersed and local knowledge, rather than government planning, for poor countries to achieve growth. Arvind Subramanian will draw on his experience working at multilateral institutions to comment on the relevance of Hayek's insights to developing countries and the current foreign aid debate. 01:28:09 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4516 In 1974, Richard Nixon promoted the possibility of U.S. energy independence in six years. In 1975, Gerald Ford promised it in ten. And in 2007, Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, John Edwards and John McCain all trumpeted energy independence as an essential priority for the next president. In 2007, six books were published hailing energy independence as the answer to everything from global warming to terrorism. But what is energy independence? Is it possible? In Gusher of Lies (2008) Robert Bryce breaks down and debunks the myth of energy independence. In addition to his most recent book, Bryce is also the author of Pipe Dreams: Greed, Ego, and the Death of Enron, and Cronies: Oil, the Bushes, and the Rise of Texas, America's Superstate. He is managing editor of Energy Tribune, and a contributing writer for the Texas Observer. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-03-18-08.mp3 Featuring [Robert Bryce], Managing Editor, Energy Tribune. Moderated by [Jerry Taylor], Cato Institute.... In 1974, Richard Nixon promoted the possibility of U.S. energy independence in six years. In 1975, Gerald Ford promised it in ten. And in 2007, Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, John Edwards and John McCain all trumpeted energy independence as an essential priority for the next president. In 2007, six books were published hailing energy independence as the answer to everything from global warming to terrorism. But what is energy independence? Is it possible? In Gusher of Lies (2008) Robert Bryce breaks down and debunks the myth of energy independence. In addition to his most recent book, Bryce is also the author of Pipe Dreams: Greed, Ego, and the Death of Enron, and Cronies: Oil, the Bushes, and the Rise of Texas, America's Superstate. He is managing editor of Energy Tribune, and a contributing writer for the Texas Observer. 01:40:56 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4387 Some believe the 2008 election may transform the modern conservative movement. Others say the administration of George W. Bush has already moved the Republican Party away from any claim to being the champion of limited government and individual liberty. Mickey Edwards argues that conservatives have abandoned these principles in favor of an imperial presidency. These “conservatives” have gutted the system of checks and balances, abandoned due process, and trampled on our cherished civil liberties. From Goldwater to Reagan, conservatives tried to protect citizens from government intrusion; now they see few limits on what government can do. Please join us for a discussion of this new book and its implications for the next administration and beyond. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-03-13-08.mp3 Featuring the author, [Mickey Edwards], Former Member of Congress; Former Chairman, American Conservative Union; Lecturer, Princeton University; with comments by [Edward Crane], President, Cato Institute. ... Some believe the 2008 election may transform the modern conservative movement. Others say the administration of George W. Bush has already moved the Republican Party away from any claim to being the champion of limited government and individual liberty. Mickey Edwards argues that conservatives have abandoned these principles in favor of an imperial presidency. These “conservatives” have gutted the system of checks and balances, abandoned due process, and trampled on our cherished civil liberties. From Goldwater to Reagan, conservatives tried to protect citizens from government intrusion; now they see few limits on what government can do. Please join us for a discussion of this new book and its implications for the next administration and beyond. 01:20:34 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4567 On December 2, 2007, Venezuelans rejected through a referendum constitutional changes proposed by President Hugo Chávez that would have turned their country into a socialist state. The Venezuelan student movement played the key role in that outcome. Student leader Yon Goicoechea will explain how and why students from public and private universities from across the country came together in defense of basic liberties. Author and human rights activist Gustavo Tovar will describe how the movement's philosophy of nonviolence helped to forge an effective opposition. Gerver Torres will discuss the significant impact of the "No" vote on public opinion and politics in Venezuela and throughout Latin America. All three speakers will discuss the future of the student movement and of Venezuelan politics. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-03-12-08.mp3 Featuring: [Yon Goicoechea], Former General Secretary, Venezuelan Student Parliament; [Gustavo Tovar], Author, Estudiantes por la libertad (Students for Liberty) (Caracas: El Nacional, 2007); and [Gerver Torres], Senior Scientist, Gallup. Modera... On December 2, 2007, Venezuelans rejected through a referendum constitutional changes proposed by President Hugo Chávez that would have turned their country into a socialist state. The Venezuelan student movement played the key role in that outcome. Student leader Yon Goicoechea will explain how and why students from public and private universities from across the country came together in defense of basic liberties. Author and human rights activist Gustavo Tovar will describe how the movement's philosophy of nonviolence helped to forge an effective opposition. Gerver Torres will discuss the significant impact of the "No" vote on public opinion and politics in Venezuela and throughout Latin America. All three speakers will discuss the future of the student movement and of Venezuelan politics. 01:20:51 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4429 Throes of Democracy, the second volume in Walter McDougall's series on American history, illuminates a period of profound transformation in American politics and society. From the presidency of Andrew Jackson to the splits and regeneration of American political parties, Throes of Democracy describes in vivid detail America's transformation from frontier Republic to national state. McDougall, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, pays particular attention to the diverse experiences of the new Americans representing a mélange of religions, ethnicities, and ideologies: Jews, Protestants, Catholics; Germans, Irish, Africans; Whigs and Democrats. Examining the outcome of the Civil War, McDougall makes a compelling argument that the failure of Reconstruction can be seen as a progenitor of America's latter-day failed attempts at regime change and nation building. In the end, McDougall's dedication to historical accuracy, his elegant prose, and his sharp analysis make for an eminently readable and moving narrative. Please join the author and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this fine new history. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-03-11-08.mp3 Featuring the author [Walter A. McDougall], Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania; with comments by [Herman Belz], Professor of History, University of Maryland; and [Anne Sarah Rubin], Associate Professor of History, University of Ma... Throes of Democracy, the second volume in Walter McDougall's series on American history, illuminates a period of profound transformation in American politics and society. From the presidency of Andrew Jackson to the splits and regeneration of American political parties, Throes of Democracy describes in vivid detail America's transformation from frontier Republic to national state. McDougall, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, pays particular attention to the diverse experiences of the new Americans representing a mélange of religions, ethnicities, and ideologies: Jews, Protestants, Catholics; Germans, Irish, Africans; Whigs and Democrats. Examining the outcome of the Civil War, McDougall makes a compelling argument that the failure of Reconstruction can be seen as a progenitor of America's latter-day failed attempts at regime change and nation building. In the end, McDougall's dedication to historical accuracy, his elegant prose, and his sharp analysis make for an eminently readable and moving narrative. Please join the author and our distinguished commentators for a discussion of this fine new history. 01:30:00 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4476 Returning to the subject that first made him famous over two decades ago, Richard Epstein, the author of Takings, has a new book on property rights. In it, he takes readers from the strongly protective property rights advocated by the Constitution's Framers to the weak property rights supported by progressive and liberal politicians in the 20th century. Using both political theory and economic analysis, Epstein offers a compelling interpretation of the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause to draw the connections between property rights, individual liberty, and social progress. And he looks also at the renewed appreciation of property rights that has arisen in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's infamous Kelo v. New London decision. Please join us for a discussion of this new work, with vigorous comments from the other side. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cbfa-03-06-08.mp3 Featuring the author, [Richard A. Epstein] James Parker Hall Distinguished Service Professor of Law, University of Chicago, with comments by [J. Peter Byrne], Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center.... Returning to the subject that first made him famous over two decades ago, Richard Epstein, the author of Takings, has a new book on property rights. In it, he takes readers from the strongly protective property rights advocated by the Constitution's Framers to the weak property rights supported by progressive and liberal politicians in the 20th century. Using both political theory and economic analysis, Epstein offers a compelling interpretation of the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause to draw the connections between property rights, individual liberty, and social progress. And he looks also at the renewed appreciation of property rights that has arisen in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's infamous Kelo v. New London decision. Please join us for a discussion of this new work, with vigorous comments from the other side. 01:29:46 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4498 The U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that the First Amendment guarantees individuals the right to speak about politics and politicians without limit. But what if several individuals pool their resources to advocate for or against candidates for public office? Should their speech be limited and regulated by the government? According to federal campaign finance laws, the answer is yes. But a new federal lawsuit on behalf of SpeechNow.org, a group of citizens formed to protect the First Amendment at the ballot box, challenges those laws as a violation of the rights to free speech and association. The case aims to pave the way for independent groups of citizens to make their voices heard in elections, free of burdensome campaign finance regulation. Please join us to hear about this new effort to protect constitutional rights against government overreach. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-03-05-08.mp3 Featuring: [Steve Simpson], Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice; [David Keating], President, SpeechNow.org; and [Michael Malbin], Executive Director, Campaign Finance Institute. ... The U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that the First Amendment guarantees individuals the right to speak about politics and politicians without limit. But what if several individuals pool their resources to advocate for or against candidates for public office? Should their speech be limited and regulated by the government? According to federal campaign finance laws, the answer is yes. But a new federal lawsuit on behalf of SpeechNow.org, a group of citizens formed to protect the First Amendment at the ballot box, challenges those laws as a violation of the rights to free speech and association. The case aims to pave the way for independent groups of citizens to make their voices heard in elections, free of burdensome campaign finance regulation. Please join us to hear about this new effort to protect constitutional rights against government overreach. 01:17:57 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4510 "We all know what to do, but we don't know how to get re-elected once we have done it," said Jan-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg. He was referring to a key political conundrum faced by leaders in most democracies, including members of the European Union and the United States, who realize the need for economic reforms but often fail to tackle them out of fear of voters' displeasure. Munkhammar argues in his new book The Guide to Reform that many supposed obstacles to reform are not obstacles at all and shows that almost all of the reformist governments in the OECD have been reelected. His book discusses successful reforms in, among other nations, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden, and offers practical advice on how to get them done. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-03-04-08.mp3 Featuring [Johnny Munkhammar], Senior Fellow, European Enterprise Institute, with comments by [Dick Armey], Former House Majority Leader, Chairman, FreedomWorks.... "We all know what to do, but we don't know how to get re-elected once we have done it," said Jan-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg. He was referring to a key political conundrum faced by leaders in most democracies, including members of the European Union and the United States, who realize the need for economic reforms but often fail to tackle them out of fear of voters' displeasure. Munkhammar argues in his new book The Guide to Reform that many supposed obstacles to reform are not obstacles at all and shows that almost all of the reformist governments in the OECD have been reelected. His book discusses successful reforms in, among other nations, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden, and offers practical advice on how to get them done. 01:09:49 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4589 Many African states have been addicted to Western aid for decades. Unfortunately, Africa as a whole has stagnated and some African countries are poorer today then they were in the 1960s. In recent years, advocates of foreign aid have called for making aid more efficient, but that may be easier said than done. The problem, some critics argue, is that aid supports predatory governments and perpetuates institutions that are alien to Africa. The "modern" state, characterized by Western-style elections and bureaucracies, may be ill-suited to African conditions. Failing governments should be allowed to collapse and be replaced by institutions indigenous to Africa. Our panel will discuss the likely consequences of ending aid and consider subsequent institutional developments. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-04-02-08.mp3 Featuring: [Edward N. Luttwak], Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies; [George Ayittey], Professor of Economics, American University; and [Mauro De Lorenzo], Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute. Moderated by... Many African states have been addicted to Western aid for decades. Unfortunately, Africa as a whole has stagnated and some African countries are poorer today then they were in the 1960s. In recent years, advocates of foreign aid have called for making aid more efficient, but that may be easier said than done. The problem, some critics argue, is that aid supports predatory governments and perpetuates institutions that are alien to Africa. The "modern" state, characterized by Western-style elections and bureaucracies, may be ill-suited to African conditions. Failing governments should be allowed to collapse and be replaced by institutions indigenous to Africa. Our panel will discuss the likely consequences of ending aid and consider subsequent institutional developments. 01:23:24 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4561 Few topics arouse more passionate debate than climate change. There is broad agreement that humans are affecting the Earth’s temperature, but how can policymakers effectively address climate change while also advancing human well-being? Should society focus on reducing greenhouse gases or on building resilience and reducing vulnerability? Please join Pat Michaels and Indur Goklany for a discussion about climate change. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/hba-02-29-08.mp3 Featuring [Indur Goklany], author of The Improving State of the World and a new Cato study, “What to Do about Climate Change,” and delegate to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and [Patrick J. Michaels], Senior Fellow in Environment... Few topics arouse more passionate debate than climate change. There is broad agreement that humans are affecting the Earth’s temperature, but how can policymakers effectively address climate change while also advancing human well-being? Should society focus on reducing greenhouse gases or on building resilience and reducing vulnerability? Please join Pat Michaels and Indur Goklany for a discussion about climate change. 00:41:38 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4495 February is Black History Month, so it’s an appropriate time to take a critical look at the way government has treated racial minorities, especially African Americans. Is government more likely to be the friend or adversary of minority groups? Has it been liberals, conservatives, or libertarians like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass who have been the most consistent defenders of everyone's rights? What does history suggest would be the best public policy for racial minorities in the 21st century? Bruce Bartlett, a former Reagan administration economist with a provocative new book, and Casey Lartigue, coeditor of Educational Freedom in Urban America and a controversial former XM 169 talk show host, will discuss these questions. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-02-27-08.mp3 Featuring [Bruce Bartlett], Author, Wrong on Race: The Democratic Party's Buried Past and [Casey Lartigue], President, Lartigue Group.... February is Black History Month, so it’s an appropriate time to take a critical look at the way government has treated racial minorities, especially African Americans. Is government more likely to be the friend or adversary of minority groups? Has it been liberals, conservatives, or libertarians like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass who have been the most consistent defenders of everyone's rights? What does history suggest would be the best public policy for racial minorities in the 21st century? Bruce Bartlett, a former Reagan administration economist with a provocative new book, and Casey Lartigue, coeditor of Educational Freedom in Urban America and a controversial former XM 169 talk show host, will discuss these questions. 01:05:41 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4273 As the U.S. organ donor waiting list nears a record 100,000 and an average of seven Americans die every day waiting for an organ that never comes, solving the U.S. organ shortage takes on new urgency. Matas and Hippen will argue that the shortage could be solved by lifting the U.S. prohibition on the sale of human organs. Delmonico and Crowe will argue that the legalization of organ sales would do more harm than good. Matas will present his model for a regulated organ market described in his recent Cato study "A Gift of Life Deserves Compensation." And Hippen will present his observations on why Iran is the only country in the world without an organ shortage, the subject of his forthcoming study. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.catomedia.org/archive-2008/cpfa-02-21-08.mp3 Featuring: [Arthur Matas], Professor of Surgery; Director, Kidney Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Immediate Past President, American Society of Transplant Surgeons; [Francis Delmonico], Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, ... As the U.S. organ donor waiting list nears a record 100,000 and an average of seven Americans die every day waiting for an organ that never comes, solving the U.S. organ shortage takes on new urgency. Matas and Hippen will argue that the shortage could be solved by lifting the U.S. prohibition on the sale of human organs. Delmonico and Crowe will argue that the legalization of organ sales would do more harm than good. Matas will present his model for a regulated organ market described in his recent Cato study "A Gift of Life Deserves Compensation." And Hippen will present his observations on why Iran is the only country in the world without an organ shortage, the subject of his forthcoming study. 01:30:39 no Cato,Institute,forums,events,briefings http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=4448 Twilight at Monticello is an unprecedented and engrossing personal look at Thomas Jefferson in his final years that will change the way readers think about him. During the years from his return to Monticello in 1809 until his death in 1826, Jefferson dealt with illness and debt, corresponded with th