Mike Munger - Can Classical Liberalism Be Saved?

The Curious Task

#Science #Society #Podcasting Education #Social Sciences #Canada #Institute for Liberal Studies

1:54

Jerry Seinfeld jokes about the phrase "it is what it is' in his Netflix special, "23 Hours To Kill".

29 days ago 56:12

MP3•Episode home

The Classical Liberal Diaspora by Mike Munger: https://t.co/xoRnPIUXXi

The Articles of Confederation: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Articles-of-Confederation

Preamble to the United States constitution: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/us

Fusionism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusionism

Albert Jay Nock and The Remnant: https://mises.org/library/isaiahs-job

Chile rewriting its constitution: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chilean-congressional-council-finalizes-new-draft-constitution-again-2023-10-30/

309 episodes

Mike Munger - Can Classical Liberalism Be Saved?

The Curious Task

12 subscribers

published 29 days ago

MP3•Episode home

Episode Notes:

The Classical Liberal Diaspora by Mike Munger: https://t.co/xoRnPIUXXi

The Articles of Confederation: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Articles-of-Confederation

Preamble to the United States constitution: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/us

Fusionism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusionism

Albert Jay Nock and The Remnant: https://mises.org/library/isaiahs-job

Chile rewriting its constitution: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chilean-congressional-council-finalizes-new-draft-constitution-again-2023-10-30/

309 episodes

#Science #Society #Podcasting Education #Social Sciences #Canada #Institute for Liberal Studies

All episodes

The Curious Task

1
Bill Wirtz - Why Do Governments Hate Fun? 46:18

13 hours ago46:18

46:18

Episode Summary: Matt Bufton is joined by Bill Wirtz of the Consumer Choice Centre to explore why governments often crack down on fun—from drinking and smoking to gambling and vaping. They dive into the cultural and political roots of paternalistic policies, how public health rhetoric masks deeper control impulses, and why Canada offers a revealing case study in state-imposed virtue. Wirtz also highlights how prohibitionist instincts persist even when evidence contradicts their effectiveness. References “Children Are the Future: Authoritarianism, Culture War and Making Model Citizens” by Alan Elrod https://www.liberalcurrents.com/children-are-the-future-authoritarianism-culture-war-and-making-model-citizens/ That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen by Frédéric Bastiat https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/bastiat-selected-essays-on-political-economy#lf0181_head_009 The Fun Police – Podcast Series by Bill Wirtz https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fun-police/id1714265675 World Health Organization – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control https://fctc.who.int/ Milton Friedman’s “Free to Choose” (PBS Series) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dngqR9gcDDw&list=PLt27lKoC5LS4wbD28Jkv95UUm9H7wbVO4 Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask…

The Curious Task

1
Marc-William Palen - Were There Left-Wing Visions of Free Trade? 1:06:20

8 days ago1:06:20

1:06:20

In this conversation from 2024, Alex speaks with Marc-William Palen about the evolution of left-wing visions of free trade from the mid-19th century through the Cold War, highlighting key movements and figures like the Anti-Corn Law League, Karl Marx, and the Fair Trade movement, and contrasting these with protectionist and imperialist policies of the era. Episode Notes: Marc-William's book "Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World": https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691199320/pax-economica Marx on Free Trade: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1888/free-trade/#:~:text=Only%20under%20Free%20Trade%20can,%2C%20wage%2Dlaborers%20there%3B%20hereditary The Eric Schliesser episode of the Curious Task mentioned by Alex: https://thecurioustask.podbean.com/e/special-episode-5-eric-schliesser-%e2%80%94-what-is-neoliberalism/ Journal of Liberal History's summary of the history of the Anti-Corn Law League: https://liberalhistory.org.uk/history/anti-corn-law-league/ Overview of the history of the Opium Wars: https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/learning-module/opium-wars-china#:~:text=The%20Opium%20Wars%20in%20the,China%20lost%20both%20wars . A primer on the origins of Fair Trade and the Haslemere Declaration: https://imperialglobalexeter.com/2018/05/03/what-fair-trade-was-originally-about-the-haslemere-declaration-of-1968/…

The Curious Task

1
Russ Roberts - What’s Wrong With Education? 1:03:14

15 days ago1:03:14

1:03:14

In this conversation from 2022, Alex speaks with Russ Roberts about the nature of education and how we should rethink it in today's world. This is a special episode being released in conjunction with this week's episode of Econtalk . References 1. The Center for Experiential Learning at Washington University Link: https://olin.wustl.edu/student-resources/center-for-experiential-learning.php#:~:text=The%20Center%20for%20Experiential%20Learning,Driven%E2%84%A2%20practice%20and%20application . 2. EconTalk Podcast Link: https://simplecast.econtalk.org/ 3. “How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness” by Russ Roberts Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Adam-Smith-Change-Your-Life/dp/1591847958…

The Curious Task

1
David Friedman - What Is Anarcho-Capitalism? 1:03:32

22 days ago1:03:32

1:03:32

In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with David Friedman about defenses, definitions and critiques of Anarcho-Capitalism in David's work and in others'. Episode Notes: - Summary of David's book "The Machinery of Freedom" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Machinery_of_Freedom - Some of Ayn Rand's views on Libertarianism and Anarcho-Capitalism: http://aynrandlexicon.com/ayn-rand-ideas/ayn-rand-q-on-a-on-libertarianism.html - Some of David's comments on his Father's views of his work can be found here: https://www.econlib.org/archives/2011/07/david_friedmans_1.html - The Stanford Encyclopedia's entry on Anarchism https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/anarchism/#:~:text=Libertarianism%20and%20anarcho%2Dcapitalism%20also,the%20idea%20of%20social%20development . - "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" - Robert A. Heinlein https://a.co/d/4gmWZrP - "The Private Enforcement of Law" - Landes and Posner https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=259376 - "Law Enforcement, Malfeasance, and Compensation of Enforcers" - Gary S. Becker and George J. Stigler https://laws21.classes.ryansafner.com/readings/Becker-Stigler-1974.pdf…

The Curious Task

1
Mike Munger - Can Classical Liberalism Be Saved? 56:12

29 days ago56:12

56:12

In this conversation from 2023, Alex speaks with Mike Munger about the state of classical liberalism in an era in which conservatism seems intent on wielding the tools of central planning and the left prefers the term "progressive" to "liberal". Episode Notes: The Classical Liberal Diaspora by Mike Munger: https://t.co/xoRnPIUXXi The Articles of Confederation: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Articles-of-Confederation Preamble to the United States constitution: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/us Fusionism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusionism Albert Jay Nock and The Remnant: https://mises.org/library/isaiahs-job Chile rewriting its constitution: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chilean-congressional-council-finalizes-new-draft-constitution-again-2023-10-30/…

The Curious Task

1
James Tooley and Robyn Mulcahy - Why Do Families Choose Private Education? 36:36

5 weeks ago36:36

36:36

In a special episode of the Curious Task, Matt sits down with James Tooley and Robyn Mulcahy at Blueberry Creek Forest School and Nature Centre to discuss the benefits of private education, outdoor education programs including forest schools and the history of approaches around the globe that strive to offer students a more well-rounded alternative to government schools. References: James’ profile at the University of Buckingham: https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/directory/professor-james-tooley/ Robyn’s bio on re-cognition: https://re-cognition.ca/portfolio-item/educators/ Blueberry Creek Nature Centre: https://re-cognition.ca/home-page/blueberry-creek-forest-and-nature-centre/ James’ Book “The Beautiful Tree”: https://a.co/d/9SbGCMp Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask…

The Curious Task

1
Alan Elrod - How Should Liberals Think About Children? 1:01:14

6 weeks ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Janet speaks with Alan Elrod to explore how classical liberalism understands the role of children in a free society. They discuss the liberal view of children as future autonomous individuals, the responsibilities of both parents and the state in their development, and how education sits at the center of ongoing ideological battles. Elrod unpacks the liberal commitment to individual flourishing and critiques contemporary efforts to politicize childhood through authoritarian or illiberal frameworks. References “Children Are the Future: Authoritarianism, Culture War and Making Model Citizens” by Alan Elrod https://www.liberalcurrents.com/children-are-the-future-authoritarianism-culture-war-and-making-model-citizens/ “Parents, Government and Children: Authority over Education in the Liberal Pluralist State” by William A. Galston (Chapter in Liberal Pluralism ) https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/liberal-pluralism/parents-government-and-children-authority-over-education-in-the-liberal-pluralist-state/4FEF2172B5BD8B088A4D0558C11E1A1B The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/O/bo3619943.html Democratic Education by Amy Gutmann https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7sdfv On Liberty by John Stuart Mill https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34901 Taking Responsibility for Children edited by Samantha Brennan and Robert Noggle https://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Books/T/Taking-Responsibility-for-Children Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask…

The Curious Task

1
Chris Freiman — Is it Okay to Ignore Politics? 1:07:31

7 weeks ago1:07:31

1:07:31

In this conversation from 2020, Alex Aragona speaks with Christopher Freiman as he explores why you might be happier, and ultimately contribute more to society, if you choose to ignore politics. References from Episode 31 with Chris Freiman: You can purchase Chris Freiman’s book when it’s out here You can check out the Bleeding Heart Libertarians blog here You can purchase Bryan Caplan’s book ‘The Myth of the Rational Voter’ on Amazon Canada here…

The Curious Task

1
Graeme Thompson - What Is Canada's Role In The World? 1:14:44

8 weeks ago1:14:44

1:14:44

Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about Canada's evolving role on the global stage, from Confederation through to the post-Cold War era and into the geopolitical uncertainties of today. They explore Canada’s historical balancing act between major powers, its close alignment with the United Kingdom and later the United States, and its present-day challenges in maintaining global relevance amid military underinvestment and economic stagnation. Thompson argues that Canada must become more serious about geopolitics if it wants to protect its sovereignty and remain influential internationally. References “Canadians no longer take geopolitics seriously – and our neglect is going to cost us” by Graeme Thompson (The Hub) https://thehub.ca/2024-04-03/graeme-thompson-canadians-no-longer-take-geopolitics-seriously-and-our-neglect-is-going-to-cost-us/ Biography Collection: Ogdensburg Agreement and Canadian Wartime Diplomacy (Dictionary of Canadian Biography) https://www.biographi.ca/en/topics/topic-match-list.php?id=1504 Statute of Westminster (1931) – Recognized Canada’s legislative independence from Britain https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/statute-of-westminster NATO Archives: Canada's Role and Early Involvement https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_161511.htm Canada–U.S. Automotive Products Agreement (Auto Pact) https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canada-us-automotive-products-agreement Lament for a Nation by George Grant https://a.co/d/bnRI7Rb Canada’s Military Expenditure and NATO’s 2% Spending Target (Parliamentary Budget Officer) https://www.pbo-dpb.ca/en/publications/RP-2223-010-S--canada-military-expenditure-nato-2-spending-target--depenses-militaires-canada-objectif-depenses-2-otan Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask…

The Curious Task

1
Iain Murray - What Has Happened to Conservatism? 59:19

9 weeks ago59:19

59:19

In this episode from 2023, Matt speaks with Iain Murray about the estrangement of conservative liberalism from identitarian forms of conservative nationalism and the intriguing alliances that may arise in the future between freedom-loving libertarians and some unlikely allies. Episode Notes: Iain's book "The Socialist Temptation" https://a.co/d/5AUQHQp One of Iain's articles on the subject https://cei.org/blog/european-populism-is-nationalist-conservatism/ "Do Libertarians Have a Political Home Anymore?" by Iain Murray https://www.acton.org/religion-liberty/volume-35-number-1-2/do-libertarians-have-political-home-anymore Summary of Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillbilly_Elegy Ezra Klein's comment on "Everything Bagel Liberalism" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/opinion/democrats-liberalism.html…

The Curious Task

1
What Happened To The Carbon Tax? - Franco Terrazzano 50:44

10 weeks ago50:44

50:44

Matt speaks with Franco Terrazzano about the carbon tax within the broader context of government spending, taxation, and fiscal responsibility in Canada. They discuss the impact of high government debt, the role of the federal budget, and the long-term consequences of deficit spending. Terrazzano critiques the federal carbon tax, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on Canadians while failing to achieve its intended environmental goals, and points to some glaring instances of hypocrisy on the part of its supporters. References Axing the Tax: 100 Simple and Painless Ways to Save Money on Your Taxes by Franco Terrazzano https://a.co/d/azlHzK6 "Carbon tax costs average Ontario family $627 this year" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation) https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-costs-average-ontario-family-627-this-year "PBO confirms carbon tax costs more than rebates" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation) https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/pbo-confirms-carbon-tax-costs-more-than-rebates "Carbon tax bureaucracy costs taxpayers $800 million" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation) https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-bureaucracy-costs-taxpayers-800-million "Cut taxes and government spending to combat inflation" by Franco Terrazzano (EnergyNow) https://energynow.ca/2022/02/news-release-cut-taxes-and-government-spending-to-combat-inflation Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask…

The Curious Task

1
Graeme Thompson — What Is Canadian Liberalism? 1:03:42

11 weeks ago1:03:42

1:03:42

In this episode from 2021, Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about the classical liberal tradition in Canada, and what the evolution of that tradition has looked like. References from The Curious Task Episode 94 with Graeme Thompson A collection of the speeches of Wilfred Laurier can be found in an edited edition by Arthur Milnes, available from Amazon here. Macdonald Laurier and the Election of 1891 by Christopher Pennington can be found from Penguin House here. Graeme Thompson’s piece “Whatever Happened to Laurier” can be found in the National Post here. Graeme mentions positive and negative liberty by Isaiah Berlin, which is discussed on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy here. The works of Adam Smith , Edmund Burke , and J.S. Mill can be read for free through the Online Library of Liberty.…

The Curious Task

1
Matt McManus - Is Liberal Socialism An Oxymoron? 52:31

12 weeks ago52:31

52:31

Matt Bufton speaks with Matt McManus about the philosophical foundations of liberalism and socialism, exploring how these two traditions intersect and diverge. They discuss McManus’ work on the political theory of liberal socialism, the historical tensions between the two ideologies, and the ways in which contemporary political movements reflect aspects of both. The conversation also touches on critiques of classical liberal thought, the role of the state in economic justice, and the potential for a synthesis between liberal and socialist principles. References The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism by Matt McManus https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234?srsltid=AfmBOorDPxbjpTmpCJ2dgOznjWaxh8s53bHfYJ9odk360mjLFnf77MK_ A Critical Legal Examination of Liberalism and Liberal Rights by Matt McManus https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-61025-8 Liberalism and Socialism: Mortal Enemies or Embittered Kin? (Edited by Matt McManus) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-79537-5 Why Socialists Shouldn’t Reject Liberalism An interview with Matt McManus (Jacobin Magazine) https://jacobin.com/2024/08/socialism-liberalism-mill-marx-moyn Matt's portfolio on Academia.edu https://umich.academia.edu/MatthewMcManus Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask…

The Curious Task

1
James R. Harrigan - What Is Going On Down There? 1:30:44

13 weeks ago1:30:44

1:30:44

Alex Aragona speaks with James Harrigan about U.S.-Canada relations, with a focus on tariffs, trade policy, and economic misunderstandings that shape political discourse. James critiques the expansion of tariffs under Trump and challenges the idea that protectionism helps domestic industries. The conversation highlights the historical benefits of free trade, the consequences of government intervention in markets, and the flawed assumptions underlying modern trade restrictions. References James on X: https://x.com/jamesrharrigan The Centre for American Culture and Ideas: https://thecaci.org/ The Words And Numbers Podcast: https://wordsandnumbers.libsyn.com/ "Fair Trade Encourages Free Trade" by James Harrigan and Antony Davies: https://archive.triblive.com/opinion/featured-commentary/antony-davies-james-r-harrigan-fair-trade-encourages-free-trade/ Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask .…

The Curious Task

1
Don Boudreaux - Why Are We In A Trade War? 50:22

14 weeks ago50:22