Liberty Curious

Kate Wand

Are you liberty curious? Join us in discussing ideas of liberty, sound money, economic freedom, and the dangers of collectivism. Engaging discussions with leading economists, historians, entrepreneurs, bitcoiners, and friends of liberty. Hosted by the American Institute for Economic Research. aier.org read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

ESG: The Moral Crusade for a 'Green New World' | Paul Mueller & Kate Wand
Dec 28 2023
ESG: The Moral Crusade for a 'Green New World' | Paul Mueller & Kate Wand
What exactly is ESG? Where did it come from, and how did it start to take hold and reshape our world? How is it related to the infamous UN SDGs?In this episode of Liberty Curious, Paul Mueller joins Kate Wand to discuss and dissect.Paul is an economist and Senior Research Faculty at AIER who specializes in defending freedom and combatting collectivism. He has written a definitive collection of articles on ESG.ESG has been perniciously changing the way corporations, governments, NGOs and institutions operate. This ideological framework synonymous with stakeholder capitalism has become the subject of scrutiny and public backlash, but nonetheless continues to dominate.---The conversation explores the history, definition, and implications of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. It delves into the origins of ESG in the post-World War II era and the rise of international organizations. The discussion highlights the utopian ideals and ideological shifts that have shaped the ESG movement. It also examines the technocratic element of ESG and the challenges of calculation and efficiency. The conversation raises concerns about the potential for eco-dictatorship and the threat ESG poses to freedom and individualism. In this conversation, Paul Mueller and Kate Wand discuss the totalitarianism of climate alarmists and the loss of individualism in the ESG movement. They explore the advocates for ESG, such as the World Economic Forum, and the pushback against ESG, including Larry Fink's change in stance. They also delve into the philosophical elements underlying the green movement and the potential future of ESG. The conversation highlights the importance of transparency, the value of nuclear energy, and the need to focus on adaptation rather than prevention. They conclude by discussing the role of intellectuals in shaping ESG policies.---Paul Mueller's Related Articles:https://www.aier.org/people/paul-mueller/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/the-totalitarianism-of-climate-alarmistshttps://dailycaller.com/2023/12/09/opinion-gavin-newsoms-california-is-showing-us-what-the-green-energy-transition-looks-like-it-isnt-pretty-paul-mueller/---TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro1:31 - History of ESG3:21 - ESG as a Quest for Global Solidarity10:19 - Post-World War II Era and the Rise of International Organizations12:22 - Utopian Ideals and Ideological Shifts13:40 - Stakeholder Capitalism and the Technocratic Element of ESG16:15 - The Problem of Calculation and Efficiency in ESG18:45 - Consumer Value and the Top-Down Approach of ESG31:40 - The Potential for Eco-Dictatorship in ESG36:12 - ESG as a Threat to Freedom and Individualism38:38 - Totalitarianism and the Loss of Individualism41:05 - Advocates for ESG and the Totalitarianism of Climate Alarmists45:05 - Larry Fink and the Pushback Against ESG53:09 - The Social Responsibility of Businesses and the Birth of Stakeholder Capitalism56:18 - The Future of ESG and its Impact on Economies59:18 - The Potential of Nuclear Energy and the Need for Transparency1:03:08 - The Malthusian Element and the Importance of Human Existence1:05:20 - The Value of Adaptation and the Inefficiencies of ESG Means1:05:47 - The Role of Intellectuals in Shaping ESG Policies---Hayek: Intellectuals and Socialism: https://cdn.mises.org/Intellectuals%20and%20Socialism_4.pdf---You can also listen to this podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to this channel and hit the bell to be notified of more episodes like this, and leave your questions and comments below!LISTEN: https://aier.org/podcasts---***...
Freedom in the 50 States: How Free is YOUR state? | Jason Sorens & Kate Wand
Dec 14 2023
Freedom in the 50 States: How Free is YOUR state? | Jason Sorens & Kate Wand
How free is your state? Why has New York gone from a beacon of liberty to a state that people now flee in droves? And why are people moving to places like Florida, New Hampshire and South Dakota?Way back in the early 2000s, Jason Sorens paired up with AIER president William Ruger to find out. Jason joined Kate Wand on Liberty Curious to discuss his book, Freedom In the Fifty States, and the interactive tool that measures economic and personal freedom across American states. Now in its 7th edition, Sorens and Ruger use a data set that measures over 230 policies from all 50 states to see how well each state performs.Jason Sorens is Senior Research Faculty and founder of the New Hampshire Free State Project. They discuss the freest and least free states, voting with your feet, and surprising findings from the latest edition. Jason also emphasizes the role of individuals in changing policies and promoting freedom in their states.*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***0:00 - intro1:28 - What is Freedom in the 50 States?4:24 - Personal freedom & economic freedom8:19 - Which state is the most free?10:01 - Florida & New Hampshire14:15 - Can a free state insulate you from Federal Government overreach?18:10 - The states ranking lowest in freedom19:51 - What happened to New York?23:37 - Freedom vs High Taxes & Paternalism26:30 - Biggest surprises29:30 - Correlation between Red/Blue states32:15 - Purple states33:00 - Updates in this edition35:00 - The interactive tool: freedominthe50states.org38:06 - How to use this tool40:46 - Is policy what really affects freedom?43:25 - How can people change policy?46:30 - Last thoughts?freedominthe50states.orgaier.org/podcasts
Röpke's Battle Against Nazi Ideology | Samuel Gregg & Kate Wand
Nov 23 2023
Röpke's Battle Against Nazi Ideology | Samuel Gregg & Kate Wand
READ Samuel Gregg's Articles: https://lawliberty.org/when-a-classical-liberal-confronted-nazi-terror/https://lawliberty.org/wilhelm-ropkes-civilization-of-liberty/LISTEN to Liberty Curious: https://www.aier.org/podcasts/SUBSCRIBE to Sam Gregg's Articles: https://www.aier.org/people/samuel-gregg/What can happen when societies decouple from the Western liberal tradition and adopt collectivist frameworks that abandon reason, the pursuit of truth, and the core principles of civilization?On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand was joined by Samuel Gregg, Distinguished Fellow in Political Economy at AIER, to discuss the life and ideas of Wilhelm Röpke. Röpke was a 20th century economics professor who was exiled from Germany in the 1930s for defending liberty and opposing the National Socialists. In the conversation you’re about to hear, Samuel Gregg tells Röpke’s incredible life story, and describes the humanist philosophy that Röpke lived by, which left him standing alone against the illiberal Nazi regime. Gregg writes, “The National Socialists had no interest in reason or the individual, let alone freedom as Röpke understood it. They personified what Röpke called the “reigning illiberalism,” which was characterized by “hot air, slogans . . . glorification of direct action, violence in dealing with all those of different opinion, rabble-rousing in every sphere, empty rhetoric, and deceitful stage effects.” Such illiberalism would, he said, “trample down the garden of European civilization.” That, eventually, was what National Socialism did, epitomized by the regime’s attempt to wipe the Jewish people off the face of the earth.”aier.org*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***0:00 - Intro2:18 - Who was Wilhelm Röpke?8:20 - After the First World War11:50 - Röpke's Opposition to the Nazis15:50 - Röpke's humanistic convictions19:20 - His defence of Liberalism23:43 - Cogs in the Machine28:28 - Dividing people by identity groups35:00 - The pursuit of Truth39:55 - How do you know the Nazis were the 'bad guys'?42:32 - The Nazis thought that they were right47:52 - Why do mass mobs lose their ability to reason?52:40 - Threats to liberty now?58:40 - What can individuals do?1:01:37 - Last thoughts
Why *THIS* Mindset Puts Our Liberty at RISK | Barry Brownstein & Kate Wand
Nov 9 2023
Why *THIS* Mindset Puts Our Liberty at RISK | Barry Brownstein & Kate Wand
READ Barry Brownstein's Article: https://www.aier.org/article/to-live-for-grievances-risks-liberty/LISTEN to Liberty Curious: https://www.aier.org/podcasts/SUBSCRIBE to Barry's Substack: https://mindsetshifts.substack.com/Why are so many in our generation brainwashed to see the world in a terrible way? And what is it about their mindset that makes them so susceptible to this kind of manipulation?In his recent article for AIER, Barry Brownstein writes, "Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay wrote in their book Cynical Theories, the contemporary social justice movement “is a worldview that centers social and cultural grievances and aims to make everything into a zero-sum political struggle revolving around identity markers like race, sex, gender, sexuality, and many others.”On this episode of Liberty Curious, I was joined by Barry Brownstein, professor emeritus of Economics and Leadership, to discuss how our personal grievances are a threat to liberty. “In his 1976 lecture, “Socialism and Science,” Hayek argued that socialism requires a “government with unlimited powers” to give groups with grievances what they think “they are entitled to.”Barry explains that our individual mindset has a ripple effect that shapes the society around us. When we build our identities around our personal grievances, we play into the hands of illiberal politicians and ideologies that promise to solve all of our problems for us, at the cost of our inner and outer liberty.0:00 - intro1:21 - holding onto grievances6:30 - socialism mindset9:01 - far-left & far-right grievances12:01 - mindset in Russian Revolution vs American Revolution14:02 - if the State doesn't fix your life15:33 - self-concept against something19:42 - identity politics and victim mentality25:40 - neo-marxism & social justice28:51 - hatred that lasts for centuries33:50 - Hayek: the road to serfdom36:39 - politicians exploit grievances39:40 - a mindset shift43:30 - ready-made ideology45:26 - the power of choice49:40 - is there still hope?
DECOLONIZATION: From Theory to Practice | Phil Magness & Kate Wand
Oct 26 2023
DECOLONIZATION: From Theory to Practice | Phil Magness & Kate Wand
Since October 7th, 2023, we have seen that ideas have consequences in the real world.Phillip Magness is an economic historian who specializes in the economic dimensions of slavery and racial discrimination, the history of taxation, and measurements of economic inequality over time. He also maintains an active research interest in higher education policy and the history of economic thought. He joins Kate Wand on Liberty Curious to discuss his recent work on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and its proliferation in academia and the mainstream, and its connection to the far-left's response to Hamas' massacre of Israeli citizens. Phil Magness is Senior Research Faculty and F.A. Hayek Chair in Economics and Economic History at the American Institute for Economic Research.READ: https://philmagness.com/AIER: https://www.aier.org/people/phillip-w-magness/LISTEN: https://www.aier.org/podcasts/PHIL'S ARTICLE: https://www.aier.org/article/critical-race-theory-in-data-what-the-statistics-show/0:00 - intro1:35 - CRT in a nutshell3:05 - CRT academics' reactions to Oct 710:24 - Media spin13:08 - Who is colonizing who?17:07 - What is decolonization?19:15 - The dangers of CRT in the real world20:39 - The proliferation of CRT in academia26:46 - Why are these ideas so seductive?30:15 - Promises33:07 - Silver linings?37:20 - Last Thoughts*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***
The Original MAGA: The True Cost of Protectionism | Phil Magness & Kate Wand
Oct 5 2023
The Original MAGA: The True Cost of Protectionism | Phil Magness & Kate Wand
In this episode of Liberty Curious we go deep into the historical roots of 'Making America Great Again'. Kate Wand sat down with Phillip W. Magness, Senior Research Faculty and F.A. Hayek Chair in Economics and Economic History at AIER, to discuss the true implications of tariffs and protectionism and how they have shaped America's economic landscape.From the earliest years of the American founding, promises of putting America first echoed through political chambers. These calls, though wrapped in patriotism, often harbored hidden implications of cronyism, favoritism, and a veiled tax that burdened everyday consumers. Despite the appealing rhetoric, tariffs and protectionist measures stand as barriers to economic freedom, prosperity, and genuine international cooperation. As history warns, "When goods cease to cross borders, armies soon follow."By tracing the history of tariffs, we see a repeating pattern: opportunistic rent-seeking, strained international relations, and a government that often interferes with natural economic exchanges. This meddling not only fosters less peace but also empowers the federal government at the expense of states and the very people it promises to protect.*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***aier.org/podcastshttps://www.aier.org/people/phillip-w-magness/Phil Magness on X: https://twitter.com/PhilWMagness
Liberalism: What Does It Even MEAN? | Michael Munger & Kate Wand
Sep 21 2023
Liberalism: What Does It Even MEAN? | Michael Munger & Kate Wand
On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand sat down with Michael Munger, economist and professor of political economy at Duke University, to discuss the Classical Liberal diaspora. Diaspora refers to the scattering of liberals ‘of the old type’; the remnant, the libertarians, and the classical liberals, whose message about liberty and limited government gets lost in a sea of tribal left vs. right politics. They discuss how progressives and conservatives are both convinced that their morality and vision for society is correct, and have no qualms about using the power of the state to impose it upon the rest of us. They get into details about the classical liberal tradition, how we got to where we are now, and the dangers of wielding the ring of power in our favour. *** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***0:00 - intro1:30 - origins of Liberalism4:00 - Progressivism7:48 - Classical liberal diaspora10:16 - Classical Liberalism in Politics16:30 - The Reagan Administration19:55 - Post 9-11 shifts23:29 - Classical Liberals vs Libertarians27:34 - Where Progressives & Conservatives Collide30:19 - Limited Government33:18 - American Erosion39:02 - The Central Planning Allure42:00 - Technocracy45:00 - The Remnant vs. Fusionism50:00 - The dangers of complacency54:00 - an opportunity for classical liberalism58:23 - Last thoughtsText on the Remnant: https://mises.org/library/isaiahs-jobMichael Munger on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mungowitzMichael at AIER: https://www.aier.org/people/michael-munger/aier.org/podcasts
Did the 2008 Financial Crisis Ever Really END? | Paul Mueller & Kate Wand
Sep 10 2023
Did the 2008 Financial Crisis Ever Really END? | Paul Mueller & Kate Wand
On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand sat down with Paul Mueller, who recently joined AIER as Senior Research Faculty, to discuss the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis and its reverberation into our present day. "Everything we're seeing around us is a fallout from that crisis." - Paul MuellerPaul received his PhD in economics from George Mason University, and is the author of Ten Years Later: Why the Conventional Wisdom about the 2008 Financial Crisis is Still Wrong. They get into the mis-regulation, cronyism and fatal conceit that precipitated the crisis, how it was mismanaged by government and central banks, and then became the catalyst for a growing anti-capitalist sentiment that blames free markets for the failures of an increasingly controlled financial system and economy.*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***aier.org/podcastsPaul Mueller's book: https://www.amazon.com/Conventional-Wisdom-about-Financial-Crisis/dp/1527519236/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VGKBR6GSB0LB&keywords=paul+mueller+financial+crisis&qid=1694349635&s=books&sprefix=paul+mueller+financial+crisis%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C130&sr=1-1https://www.aier.org/people/paul-mueller/0:00 - Intro1:58 - A Generation-Defining Event6:22 - The Fed's Historical Role10:47 - Political Pressures15:20 - Mis-regulation22:27 - The Bank of International Settlements25:30 - Fatal Conceit30:22 - The American Dream35:16 - Wealth & Income Inequality 40:30 - Low Interest Rates Benefits Government44:23 - How Did the Crisis Unravel?49:46 - What Happens Next?54:30 - The Third Mis-regulation57:21 - Reverberation Into Today59:40 - Conditioning for Economic Intervention1:05:58 - Market Solutions1:10:28 - How to Get Out of The Cycle1:14:33 - Free Up Markets or Great Reset?1:18:05 - Last Thoughtsaier.org/podcasts
Is There Such A Thing as Objective Morality? | Bruce Pardy & Kate Wand
Aug 31 2023
Is There Such A Thing as Objective Morality? | Bruce Pardy & Kate Wand
Is there such a thing as objective morality? On a recent episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand sat down with Bruce Pardy, professor of Law and Executive Director of Rights Probe to discuss the woke virus of the mind. The comments section was full of passionate and interesting criticism and debate on one particular issue: can we all universally agree on what is right and wrong and then let that determine our rights? So Kate asked Bruce to come back and go through some of your comments with me. To begin, we examined how we might differentiate moral philosophy from individual rights and the law. In delving deep into these kinds of questions and concepts, we came across two common arguments for liberty: the moral argument, and the consequential one; ie, liberty produces better outcomes. Bruce argues that both of these arguments for liberty fall short, and shares his thesis for a third way. We hope you enjoy this episode of liberty curious, and as always, please feel free to let us know what you think in the comments section. *** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***aier.org/podcasts0:00 - intro2:00 - Objective Morality5:30 - Comment #1 10:30 - Of Course, 'This is Immoral'12:50 - Utility Argument14:50 - Bodily Autonomy17:28 - Misgendering18:35 - Comment #221:00 - The Ten Commandments24:07 - The Non-Aggression Principle27:10 - One Choice32:58 - The Use of Force34:40 - Social Contract Theory36:10 - Comment #3 42:22 - Arguments for Liberty47:50 - Producing Efficient Outcomes51:15 - Liberty By Consent (Third Way)55:40 America's Founding Principles1:02:43 - What Would That World Look Like?
The fight against ESG & Global Governance | Allen Mendenhall & Kate Wand
Aug 17 2023
The fight against ESG & Global Governance | Allen Mendenhall & Kate Wand
On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand spoke with Allen Mendenhall, author, lawyer, Associate Dean and Professor in the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University. He teaches a free market, non-woke business course that has gained significant clout, leading anti-woke ESG advocates to seek his aid and testimony for an anti-ESG investment bill. His advocacy for economic freedom led to the banking crony ESG profiteers to go on a coordinated witch-hunt against him to try and get him cancelled.Allen’s story attests to the power of the Individual. They spoke about how ESG is a segue into global governance, the growing decentralized resistance against hyper-centralization, and how one person taking a principled stand is a great equalizer against the most corrupt concentrations of power. https://allenmendenhall.com/https://twitter.com/allenmendenhall0:00 - intro1:20 - anti-ESG business program3:43 - policy debates around ESG6:33 - the Witchhunt begins9:55 - Blackrock, State Street, Vanguard lobbyists12:49 - The risk of bank runs14:50 - Global Coordination of Financial Institutions20:10 - Sri Lanka as a Target24:33 - Incentives for ESG27:19 - Stakeholder Capitalism30:22 - Unprecedented Power32:50 - CBDCs & ESG37:30 - Decentralization vs Centralization42:47 - The Power of the Individual48:56 - All Powerful Nation State Parallels52:05 - Milton Friedman vs. Klaus Schwab54:21 - USA vs Europe for ESG58:11 - The Nation State & Global Concatenation 1:00:00 - The outcome of Allen's battle1:03:12 - Lord of the Rings parallels1:08:46 - Last thoughtsaier.org/podcasts*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***Milton Friedman's essay: https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/13/archives/a-friedman-doctrine-the-social-responsibility-of-business-is-to.html
ESG: A Corporate Social Credit System backed by UN & WEF | Samuel Gregg & Kate Wand
Aug 3 2023
ESG: A Corporate Social Credit System backed by UN & WEF | Samuel Gregg & Kate Wand
When big corporations like Target or Bud Light go blatantly Woke, to the detriment of their shareholders and profits, you might ask yourself what exactly they are doing, and why.This is where ESG comes in. ESG is Environment, Social, and Governance, three pillars of a pervasive type of corporate social credit score that businesses are pressured or incentivized to abide by. On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand invited Samuel Gregg, Distinguished Fellow in Political Economy at AIER, to discuss the origins of ESG, how its being applied, and its ties to the UN SDGs and the World Economic Forum. They also explore its role in reflecting, promoting, and shaping Woke ideology. 0:00 - intro1:55 - Origins of ESG4:03 - Stakeholder Capitalism6:45 - How did ESG ascend so quickly?11:15 - The Great Reset13:33 - the ESG Cartel & Central Planning21:40 - How did the UN & WEF become so powerful?25:25 - America's Achilles Heel31:05 - Malthusian Flavour of ESG35:40 - Carbon Markets & 'Green' Economy38:00 - Why would you destroy your company?46:46 - Confronted with Reality51:43 - Legal Solutions in Corporate Law56:06 - Europe's Self-Inflicted Decline58:32 - Hope for America?1:00:43 - Last Thoughtsaier.org/podcastsSamuel Gregg on Twitter: twitter.com/drsamuelgregghttps://www.aier.org/people/samuel-gregg/*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***
The WOKE Virus of the Mind: Critical Theory + Postmodernism | Bruce Pardy & Kate Wand
Jul 20 2023
The WOKE Virus of the Mind: Critical Theory + Postmodernism | Bruce Pardy & Kate Wand
On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand invites Bruce Pardy to discuss the origins of the Woke virus of the mind: critical theory, social justice, postmodernism and critical race theory.Bruce explains identity politics, power relationships, victimhood, and all the pillars of Critical Theory, a school of thought that has infiltrated our culture, institutions and society. We explore how this has all developed, touch on topics like the 'death of God', trans-humanism, morality, intersectionality, and how woke culture is, at its core, an attack on Western civilization.Bruce Pardy is a professor of law and executive director of Rights Probe, a law and liberty think tank. He is a classically liberal legal academic who believes in equal treatment under the law, negative rights, private property, limited government, and the separation of powers, which are foundational to the Western legal tradition. He is a critic of legal progressivism, social justice, and the discretionary managerial state, and has written extensively on a range of pressing legal subjects that are at the forefront of the culture war inside the law."Modern Western civilization grew out of the Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries. The ascendancy of reason in human affairs produced the scientific method and later the Industrial Revolution. Add in the rule of law, individual liberty, private property, and capitalism, and you have the basic recipe that has raised much of humanity out of poverty and oppression over two centuries.Four academic doctrines—Critical Theory, Postmodernism, Social Justice, and Critical Race Theory—are moving the world, or at least the West, from this triumph to decline. These doctrines reject Enlightenment values such as open inquiry, individual autonomy, free speech, scientific skepticism, and even reason itself. They claim to champion equality, peace, and social cooperation, but instead promote identity politics, elitism, and centralized control. They are the four doctrines of the apocalypse." - Bruce Pardyhttps://www.theepochtimes.com/bruce-pardy-the-four-doctrines-of-the-apocalypse-critical-theory-and-our-compromised-institutions_5355971.htmlaier.org/podcasts *** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***
Bitcoin's Philosophical Origins with Emile Phaneuf & Kate Wand
Jun 15 2023
Bitcoin's Philosophical Origins with Emile Phaneuf & Kate Wand
Where did Bitcoin come from? Since the mysterious conception of Bitcoin following the 2008 financial crisis, people have been trying to figure out who created it, and why. Joining Kate Wand on Liberty Curious is independent thinker & writer Emile Phaneuf, to discuss the origins of Bitcoin, and its philosophical influences including the writings of Hayek, Ayn Rand and David Friedman. Emile writes on matters of money and cryptocurrency and has spent well over a decade working in international business development around the world.Emile explains that Hayek imagined how private enterprise could compete with the long withstanding government monopoly on money to create better choices for the people. He draws parallels as to how Bitcoin is an example of decentralization in the Information Age, and how this kind of technology has the potential to disrupt the status quo. To begin, we delve into the potential motives of the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto.Emile Phaneuf's articles discussed in this podcast:https://www.aier.org/article/hayek-and-bitcoin/https://www.aier.org/article/cypherpunks-galts-gulch-and-bitcoin/https://www.aier.org/article/anarchy-and-bitcoin/Emile Phaneuf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EconEmileemilephaneuf.com*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***0:00 - Introduction0:23 - Origins of Bitcoin and philosophical influences2:15 - Influence of Hayek, Rand, and Friedman5:06 - Decentralization and disruptive potential of Bitcoin6:43 - Concealment of Satoshi Nakamoto's identity8:28 - Hayek's argument for denationalization of currency10:02 - Government monopolization and the public's lack of choice11:56 - Algorithmic monetary policy of Bitcoin19:14 - The Machinery of Freedom25:03 - Parallel Financial System29:26 - CBDC32:31 - The Revolt of the Public44:20 - Absolute Control47:05 - Final Thoughtsaier.org/podcasts
If the Russian Revolution Never Happened, Who Was Karl Marx? | Phillip Magness & Kate Wand
Jun 9 2023
If the Russian Revolution Never Happened, Who Was Karl Marx? | Phillip Magness & Kate Wand
Karl Marx’s theories sparked the Russian Revolution in 1917. His communist ideology was foundational to the USSR, and other oppressive regimes, which led to the state murder of hundreds of millions of people. Yet despite the 20th century Marxist democide, Marx remains one of the most popular so-called intellectual figures of the last century, up to this day. “Appearing in 3,856 syllabi as of 2015, Marx’s Communist Manifesto is consistently among the most frequently assigned texts in American college classrooms.” But what if the Russian Revolution had never happened? Would anyone today even know who Karl Marx was? And is there a way to measure that empirically? Phillip Magness, the director of research and education at AIER and his colleague Michael Makovi set out to do just that. What did they discover? In this episode of Liberty Curious, you are going to find out. What I really wanted to ask Phil first was, “Who was Karl Marx?”*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***The Mainstreaming of Marx: Measuring the Effect of the Russian Revolution on Karl Marx’s Influence: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/722933Das Karl Marx Problem: https://www.aier.org/article/das-karl-marx-problem/When Lenin Read a Book on Marx: https://www.aier.org/article/when-lenin-read-a-book-on-marx/Phil Magness on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilWMagnessaier.org/podcasts0:00 - intro1:18 - Who was Karl Marx?4:24 - Who influenced Marx?7:43 - Marx's obscurity11:47 - Surplus Value15:08 - Russian Revolution20:00 - Straight into Communism22:24 - Democratic Socialism26:33 - Cult of Marxism after 191733:50 - Totalitarianism37:05 - Technocracy39:05 - Neo-Marxism / Critical Theory43:22 - Research: The Mainstreaming of Marx51:20 - What ifs?52:15 - the 1916 project55:50 - Times of Crisis59:16 - Russian Revolution vs. American Revolution1:02:26 - Collectivism vs. Individualism1:03:44 - Last thoughts
Is History Repeating Itself? The Great Reset & The New Deal with historian Robert Wright
May 25 2023
Is History Repeating Itself? The Great Reset & The New Deal with historian Robert Wright
On this episode of Liberty Curious, Robert Wright, historian, joins Kate Wand to discuss two Great Resets. In his research he has discovered striking resemblances between the New Deal under FDR in the 1930s, and the modern day Great Reset. This begs the question: is history repeating itself?Robert Wright explores the parallels between the New Deal era and the current situation. The New Deal was a period of significant change in the relationship between the federal government and individuals in America. It marked a shift from a society focused on individual liberty to one where people looked to the government for solutions to problems. The federal government gained more power, while individual liberties were curtailed.The parallels between then and now are examined through ten points. The first point is the state control of mass media. In the past, newspapers, movies, radio, and theater were used to vilify critics of administration policies. Today, social media platforms like Twitter are accused of censoring speech, labeling certain views as extremist or pro-enemies, similar to how critics were labeled during the New Deal era.The second point is the augmentation of state surveillance and law enforcement. The increase in government surveillance and the expansion of agencies like the National Security Administration (NSA), CIA, and the passing of acts like the Patriot Act are reminiscent of the increase in the FBI's power during the New Deal era. The FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, tracked and harassed individuals who were considered threats to the administration.Other points in the video discuss the expansion of government control over the economy, such as through regulations, government intervention, and the confiscation of gold. The video also touches on the use of crisis and war to expand government power, the increase in government spending and debt, the centralization of power in the executive branch, and the erosion of constitutional limits on government power.Overall, the video suggests that there are parallels between the New Deal era and the current situation, highlighting the expansion of government power and the potential threats to individual liberties.0:00 - Intro1:40 - The New Deal8:40 - State Control of Mass Media16:36 - Augmentation of State Surveillance18:29 - Division of People by Class26:20 - Disruption of Food Creation & Distribution29:18 - New Monetary System36:17 - Economic Coercion to Achieve State Goals44:36 - Invisible Enemies47:16 - Physical War & the Ratchet Effect49:44 - Taxes51:49 - Misuse of Congressional Hearings53:53 - Big Picture: Two Great Resets1:00:40 - Last Thoughts*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***aier.org/podcastsaier.org
Should Government Control Our Lives? | Free State Project Founder Jason Sorens
May 4 2023
Should Government Control Our Lives? | Free State Project Founder Jason Sorens
What role does the state have in imposing its morality on individuals? What role should it have? How much should government control our lives?On this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand sat down with Jason Sorens, Senior Research Faculty at AIER, co-author of Freedom in the 50 States, and founder of the Free State Project, to discuss how much government interferes with our daily lives. Sorens claims that adults should be treated like adults, and not children, but the government often does the very opposite. They also talk about how to approach issues from a libertarian perspective, such as life-altering medical procedures for kids, hard drugs, tobacco, and where to draw the line on externalities. Jason also talks about the New Hampshire Free State Project, and how liberty-oriented people can foster freedom at the local level. https://www.aier.org/article/treating-adults-like-children/*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***aier.org/podcasts0:00 - intro1:04 - founding debates5:52 - relationship between government & citizens7:49 - free state project12:44 - red states vs new hampshire15:13 - moral arguments for liberty20:15 - treating adults like children23:28 - education system trickle26:35 - prohibition of drugs31:32 - externalities36:16 - rights of the majority vs individual41:18 - family relationships trickle into society44:24 - dealing with life-altering procedures for children48:35 - school choice52:34 - last thoughts