Liberalism in Question | CIS

Robert Forsyth | Centre for Independent Studies•liberalisminquestion.podbean.com

Are you looking for sound, thought-provoking conversations on current affairs, politics, and culture from a Classical Liberal perspective? If yes, you are in the right place. Liberalism in Question engages some of our society’s most prominent researchers, political figures, and free speech advocates --finding out their views on the state of Classical Liberalism.

Last refreshed: August 15th, 2025 at 5:07 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

S2E2 | Simon Cowan ‘Economic liberalism under threat’

Rob and Simon discuss why, despite the unparalleled success of international liberalism in lifting people out of extreme poverty, we are now in danger of abandoning the very policies that made this possible. Simon describes the move away from liberalism as a worldwide phenomenon affecting both the left and right of politics. As Simon puts it, is “Liberalism is losing its ground support and also it political and financial might.” Good policy lead to great outcomes. CIS promotes free choice and in...

Dec 14, 2021•35 min

S2E1 | Henry Ergas ‘The heart of liberalism’

In a wide-ranging discussion, Rob and Henry explore the heart of the liberal project. Liberalism emerged as a philosophy and ideology that afforded people freedoms and an alternative to civil war. Yet, it is the balance between order and freedom, which requires both tolerance and responsibility. Liberalism does not bring a single overarching purpose to society but rather ways of proceeding together. Good policy lead to great outcomes. CIS promotes free choice and individual liberty and the open ...

Dec 07, 2021•39 min

S1E10 | Peter Kurti ’Liberalism questioned’

Rob discusses liberalism with Peter Kurti, director of the Culture, Prosperity and Civil Society Program at the CIS, who surprisingly says he is not a liberal but a conservative and then explains why. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ CIS promotes free choice and individual liberty and the open exchange of ideas. CIS encourages debate among leading academics, politicians, media and the public. We aim to make sure good policy ideas are ...

Feb 01, 2021•35 min

S1E9 | Simon Haines ’Liberalism is best understood by studying its origins’

Professor Simon Haines is a distinguished scholar, teacher and author, and a passionate advocate for the humanities. CEO of The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, Simon joins Rob to discuss the genesis and origins of liberalism. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ CIS promotes free choice and individual liberty and the open exchange of ideas. CIS encourages debate among leading academics, politicians, media and the public. We aim to...

Jan 25, 2021•31 min

S1E8 | Michael Spence ’The university as a crucial institution in the liberal community’

Rob discusses issues of liberalism and the university with then Vice Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Michael Spence. Michael is concerned about whether the growing lack of common beliefs will threaten liberal society. He is committed to the vision of the university as a crucial institution in the liberal community. They discuss challenges and opportunities of the modern university in achieving this vision. __________________________________________________________________________________...

Jan 18, 2021•29 min

S1E7 | Parnell McGuinness ’Against simplistic ideology—even liberalism as a simplistic ideology’

Parnell McGuinness is a columnist at the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, and is Managing Director at Agenda C. Parnell’s family, especially her late father P.P. (Padraic Pearse) ‘Paddy’ McGuinness, an anti-authoritarian, non-conformist individualist, have spent most of their lives fighting for classical liberalism. Parnell decries to the lack of nuance in liberalism and the need to see the value also of the things that unite us. _______________________________________________...

Jan 11, 2021•28 min

S1E6 | Glenn Fahey ’Yes, Classical Liberalism is under threat’

Glenn Fahey is a Research Fellow in Education Policy at the CIS. Previously Glenn has held a series of both policy and research intensive positions in the field of education and economics, as well as being a pizza shop manager. In conversation, Glenn's pizza shop job turned out to be one important reason why he is committed to Liberalism. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ CIS promotes free choice and individual liberty and the open exc...

Jan 05, 2021•33 min

S1E5 | Tim Wilson ’Why liberalism needs a new social contract to be renewed’

Rob interviews Tim Wilson, who at the time of recording was MP for Goldstein, about the issues raised by his recent book The New Social Contract: Renewing the Liberal Vision for Australia (2020). They discuss Robert Menzies’ vision of a liberalism ‘for individuals not for individualism’ and the need for a society in which individuals have a stake and commitment. Tim is concerned that there are too few arguing for liberal democracy today as an alternative to social democracy. He believes that lib...

Dec 29, 2020•36 min

S1E4 | Stan Grant “We can’t allow our liberalism to be historically blind.”

Stan Grant an experienced journalist, thinker and writer has thought deeply about liberalism to which he is attracted by an innate love of freedom. And yet he is aware of liberalism’s limitations in dealing with issues of history and identity. Rob and Stan discuss the dynamic nature of liberalism, the way that indigenous rights may be included within it, and why this can enhance an Australian liberal identity. ______________________________________________________________________________________...

Dec 22, 2020•33 min

S1E3 | Salvatore Babones ’Unashamedly upbeat about liberalism— “More Fukuyama than Fukuyama.”’

In an energetic discussion of both sociology and history Salvatore Babones, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Sydney, is unashamedly upbeat about liberalism and its place in history and the future. And he is not that worried about ‘cancel culture’ or the threat of authoritarian societies either. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ CIS promotes free choice and individual liberty and the open exchange of ideas. CIS enco...

Dec 15, 2020•34 min

S1E2 | Ian Harper ’Liberalism—both a prejudice to freedom and a delicate flower’

Rob chats with Professor Ian Harper, member of the Reserve Bank Board and dean of the Melbourne Business School, about liberalism as a prejudice to freedom and not a strict doctrine, why becoming a Christian believer reaffirmed his conviction about the freedom of the individual, about whether the Church has been an enemy or friend of liberalism, and the need for moral restraint for freedom to be preserved. __________________________________________________________________________________________...

Dec 08, 2020•27 min

S1E1 | John Howard ’Liberalism and the ‘Broad Church.’

Welcome to our new podcast Liberalism in Question with host Rob Forsyth. This will be a new listen only series on our YouTube Channel. If you prefer to listen through your chosen podcast network check out the links at the bottom of the description. In a wide ranging conversation, Rob chats to former prime minister John Howard AC about what liberalism is, why it is best combined with conservatism, with particular reference to the history of the Liberal Party of Australia. Today, we are more aware...

Dec 01, 2020•30 min

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