Alex Aragona speaks with James Tooley as he retells some of his experiences discovering quality private education solutions in poorer communities, and how they compared to the government's offerings. References from Episode 77 with James Tooley The E. G. West Centre at Newcastle University is the namesake of economist E. G. West. This page will direct listeners to his various articles and reports. James’ book, The Beautiful Tree: A Personal Journey Into How the World’s Poorest People are Educati...
Jan 20, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 77
Alex Aragona speaks with Steve Horwitz as he explores what drives human progress, and why the market is so crucial to that. References from Episode 76 with Steve Horwitz Steve Horwitz is the author of Austrian Economics: An Introduction ; Microfoundations and Macroeconomics: An Austrian Perspective ; Monetary Evolution, Free Banking, and Economic Order ; and Hayek’s Modern Family: Classical Liberalism and the Evolution of Social Institutions which are available for purchase on Amazon Canada (tit...
Jan 13, 2021•58 min•Ep. 76
Alex Aragona speaks with Clark Neily as he explores the causes of America's policing problems, and policies that may fix them. References 1. “Terms of Engagement: How Our Courts Should Enforce the Constitution’s Promise of Limited Government” by Clark M. Neily Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Terms-Engagement-Enforce-Constitutions-Government/dp/1594036969 2. “A Libertarian Vision for Criminal Justice” by Clark Neily Link: https://www.libertarianism.org/essays/libertarian-vision-for-criminal-justice 3...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 75
It's our 2020 roundup episode! Alex Aragona chats with Matt Bufton and Sabine El-Chidiac about topics and ideas surrounding liberalism in the past year, and choose their favourite Curious Task episodes from 2020. References from Episode 74 with Sabine El-Chidiac and Matt Bufton Matt mentions the 1992 Los Angeles riots stemming from the police brutality against Rodney King. An article on these incidents can be found on National Public Radio’s website at this link . You can learn more about the in...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 74
Alex Aragona speaks with Mike Tanner as he explores the factors that contribute to the persistence of poverty, and different policy recommendations that can help alleviate it. References from Episode 73 with Mike Tanner Mike Tanner is the author of Going for Broke: Deficits, Debt, and the Entitlement Crisis , Leviathan on the Right: How the Rise of Big Government Conservatism Threatens Our Freedom and Our Future , and The Inclusive Economy: How to Bring Wealth to America’s Poor . All titles are ...
Dec 23, 2020•52 min•Ep. 73
Alex Aragona speaks with Janet Bufton as she explores where and how the tenets of classical liberalism come into play for those who call themselves libertarians. References from Episode 72 with Janet Bufton Janet Bufton manages the Liberal Studies Guides project and is a consultant at Adam Smith Works , whose websites have been hyperlinked. You can read more about Adam Smith’s thoughts on a system of natural liberty, the rules of commercial society, and the decisions people make at the Stanford ...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 72
Alex Aragona speaks with David Skarbek as he explores the different governance structures that prisoners live under and create in prisons around the world. References from The Curious Task Episode 71 with David Skarbek You can purchase The Puzzle of Prison Order by David Skarbek He looks specifically at the American prison system in his earlier book The Social Order of the Underworld , which is available for purchase here....
Dec 09, 2020•57 min•Ep. 71
Alex Aragona speaks with Mustafa Akyol as he explores whether Islam can be compatible with liberalism, and his recent research on freedom in Muslim-majority countries. References from Episode 70 with Mustafa Akyol Mustafa Akyol is the author of Rethinking the Kurdish Question: What Went Wrong, What Next? (Turkish), Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case For Liberty , The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims , and his book set for release in April 2021, Reopening...
Dec 02, 2020•52 min•Ep. 70
Alex Aragona speaks with Kevin Vallier as he explores the different tenets of political and social polarization, and whether the divisions we're seeing today can be reversed. References from Episode 69 with Kevin Vallier Kevin Vallier is the author of Liberal Politics and Public Faith: Beyond Separation , Must Politics Be War?: Restoring Our Trust in Open Society , and Trust in a Polarized Age , which is the basis of this episode’s discussion. All books are available on Amazon Canada (titles hyp...
Nov 25, 2020•47 min•Ep. 69
Alex Aragona speaks with Sabine El-Chidiac as she explores the different ways civil society solutions help refugees succeed when they move to their new home. References from Episode 68 with Sabine El Chidiac You can find Sabine's work on this topic mentioned in the podcast at Police Options here The Government of Canada’s website contains a list of all the programs under which economic immigrants are admitted into Canada. Here is some more information about the express entry pathway. As Sabine n...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 68
Alex Aragona speaks with Tom Palmer as he explores the institutions and conditions that cause peace and war. References from Episode 67 with Tom Palmer Tom Palmer’s book, Realizing Freedom: Libertarian Theory, History, and Practice can be purchased on Amazon Canada at this link . Tom has additionally wrote and/or edited the following works: The Morality of Capitalism: What Your Professors Won't Tell You ( link ) After the Welfare State ( link ) Why Liberty ( link ) Self-Control or State Control?...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 67
Alex Aragona speaks with Virginia Postrel as she explores how her newest book traces how textiles shaped our modern societies. References from Episode 66 with Virginia Postrel Virgina Postrel is the author of The Power of Glamour: Longing and the Art of Visual Persuasion ; The Substance of Style: How The Rise of Aesthetic Value Is Remaking Commerce, Culture, and Consciousness ; The Future and Its Enemies: The Growing Conflict Over Creativity, Enterprise, and Progress , and The Fabric of Civiliza...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 66
Alex Aragona speaks with Eric Merkley as he explores the reasons why the public often mistrusts experts. References from Episode 65 with Eric Merkley Eric has a list of his publications on his website . Alex references the following excerpts from Eric’s article “Anti-Intellectualism, Populism, and Motivated Resistance to Expert Consensus,” which can be accessed through an active account with Oxford Academic or your Institution at this link : “… anti-intellectualism, the generalized mistrust and ...
Oct 28, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 65
Alex Aragona speaks with Bart Wilson as he explores the natural tendencies of humans in relation to their views and attitudes on property. References from Episode 64 with Bart Wilson You can purchase Bart Wilson’s book, The Property Species: Mine, Yours, and The Human Mind on Amazon Canada . Bart referenced a study by linguists Cliff Goddard and Anna Wierzbicka on the conceptual semantics of possession found in every language, which may be accessed through ScienceDirect at this link . The full B...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 64
Alex Aragona speaks with Michael Strong as he explores how entrepreneurship improves the lives of people all over the world. References 1. “Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World’s Problems” by Michael Strong and John Mackey Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Be-Solution-Entrepreneurs-Conscious-Capitalists/dp/0470450037 2. “The Magic Washing Machine” video by Hans Rosling Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZoKfap4g4w&ab_channel=TED...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 63
Alex Aragona speaks with Cara Zwibel as she offers her thoughts on whether we can maintain our civil liberties during an emergency like a pandemic, and how we can do so. References from Episode 62 with Cara Zwibel This is the website for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. The Government of Canada has sector and industry-specific guidelines in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be reviewed here . You can refresh yourself on the articles of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 62
Alex Aragona speaks with Bryan Caplan about the value of a formal education, and compares the alleged benefits against the reality. References from Episode 61 with Bryan Caplan You can purchase Bryan Caplan’s New York Times best-seller, The Myth of the Rational Voter from Amazon Canada at this link . His other publications include Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids (book), The Case Against Education (the book upon which this episode was based), and Open Borders (graphic novel). This is an outline...
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 61
Alex Aragona speaks with Eric Schliesser as he explores the history of the term "neoliberalism," its eventual evolution, and what neoliberalism means today. References from episode 60 with Eric Schliesser Here is a list of Eric Schliesser’s publications . Dr. Karen Horn and Dr. Stefan Kolev’s joint work, entitled Economic Thinking , has a German version available for purchase on Amazon Canada at this link . Walter Lippmann’s book, The Good Society , which went on to become an international hit a...
Sep 23, 2020•58 min•Ep. 60
Alex Aragona speaks with Lynne Kiesling as she explores the current structure of energy systems and delivery, and how they can be restructured in more market-oriented ways. References from Episode 59 with Lynne Kiesling You can buy Lynne Kiesling’s book, Deregulation, Innovation and Market Liberalization: Electricity Regulation in a Continually Evolving Environment , on Amazon Canada at this link . You can read more about Ben Franklin’s famous Kite-in-a-Thunderstorm Experiment that was briefly m...
Sep 16, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 59
Alex Aragona speaks with Matt Ridley as he explores the nature of innovation and the conditions that enable it to flourish. References 1. Mind & Matter Column, Wall Street Journal Link: https://www.wsj.com/news/types/mind-matter 2. “How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom by Matt Ridley Link: https://www.amazon.ca/How-Innovation-Works-Flourishes-Freedom/dp/0062916599 3. “Northumberlandia” by The Gardens Trust Link: https://thegardenstrust.blog/2015/08/15/northumberlandia/ 4. “...
Sep 09, 2020•56 min•Ep. 58
Alex Aragona speaks with Terry Anderson as he explores the external forces that have restrained the wealth and well-being of Indigenous peoples in the West, and how that wealth can be unlocked. References 1. “Free Market Environmentalism for the Next Generation” by Terry L. Anderson and Donald R. Leal Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Market-Environmentalism-Generation-Anderson-Paperback/dp/B010CKSG1M 2. “Unlocking the Wealth of Indian Nations” by Terry Anderson Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Unlocking-W...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 57
Alex Aragona speaks with Diana Thomas as she explores the factors that play into increasing childcare costs, and some potential solutions to the problem. References 1. “Regulation and the Cost of Childcare” by Diana Thomas and Devon Gorry Link: https://www.mercatus.org/students/research/working-papers/regulation-and-cost-child-care 2. Child Care Aware of America Link: https://www.childcareaware.org/...
Aug 26, 2020•47 min•Ep. 56
Alex Aragona speaks with Vincent Geloso as he explores anarcho-capitalist economic concepts and whether there are real life examples to back them up. References 1. Vincent’s Previous Episode “Should We Care About Equality” on The Curious Task Podcast Link: https://thecurioustask.podbean.com/e/ep-28-vincent-geloso-%e2%80%94-should-we-care-about-inequality/ 2. “Private Creation and Enforcement of Law: A Historical Case” by David Friedman Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/724116?seq=1 3. “Are Anar...
Aug 19, 2020•58 min•Ep. 55
Alex Aragona speaks with Dan Griswold as he explores the benefits of open markets and free trade, and whether you can "win" a trade war. References 1. “Mad About Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization” by Daniel Griswold Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Mad-About-Trade-America-Globalization/dp/193530819X 2. “Section 232 Investigation on the Effect of Imports of Steel on U.S. National Security” by U.S Department of Commerce Link: https://www.commerce.gov/issues/trade-enforcement/s...
Aug 12, 2020•57 min•Ep. 54
Author of 'Unschooled' Kerry McDonald joins Alex Aragona to talk about how choice in education can allow children to lead happier and more fulfilled lives, and the positive impacts of taking education outside the conventional classroom. References from Episode 53 with Kerry McDonald: You can buy Kerry McDonald’s book, Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom, on Amazon Canada at this link. You can buy Noam Chomsky’s book, Chomsky on Mis-Education, wh...
Aug 05, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 53
Alex Aragona speaks with Nimish Adhia as he explores how Bollywood films traced cultural changes in India, and how the films themselves directly affect social attitudes. References from Episode 52 with Nimish Adhia: You can read Nimish Adhia’s paper “The role of ideological change in India’s economic liberalization”, which is referenced throughout the podcast, at this link You can read more about the Hindi film Mother India (1957) here You can read the Eastern Eye op-ed “Did Bollywood write the ...
Jul 29, 2020•49 min•Ep. 52
Alex Aragona speaks with Malcolm Lavoie about the importance of property rights to decentralization and the use of resources, and discusses how FA Hayek's work plays a part in understanding this connection. References from Episode 51 with Malcolm Lavoie: You can read Malcolm Lavoie’s paper “Property and Local Knowledge”, which is referenced throughout the podcast, at this link . You can read FA Hayek’s essay “The Use of Knowledge in Society” on EconLib here You can purchase FA Hayek’s book, Law,...
Jul 22, 2020•57 min•Ep. 51
Alex Aragona speaks with Linda Kavuka as she explores why it's so important to rediscover Africa's free-market past, and how the ideas surrounding free markets can help remedy the problems facing many African countries. References from Episode 50 with Linda Kavuka: You can read Linda Kavuka’s Telegraph article on Africa and access to the free market referenced in the podcast here You can watch Linda Kavuka’s talk on the impact of colonialism on property rights in Africa, referenced in the podcas...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 50
Alex Aragona speaks with Fabio Rojas as he traces the history of the post 9/11 anti-war movement and what caused it to lose momentum. References from Episode 49 with Fabio Rojas: You can purchase Fabio Rojas’ book, From Black Power to Black Studies: How a Radical Social Movement Became an Academic Discipline , on Amazon Canada at this link. You can buy Fabio Rojas’ book, Party in the Street: The Antiwar Movement and the Democratic Party After 9/11, on Amazon Canada at this link. You can purchase...
Jul 08, 2020•48 min•Ep. 49
Alex Aragona nerds out with Travis Smith as they discuss his book 'Superhero Ethics', why superheroes are so popular, and the ten ways superheros save the world. References from Episode 48 with Travis Smith: You can purchase Travis Smith’s book Superhero Ethics: 10 Comic Book Heroes; 10 Ways to Save the World; Which One Do We Need Most Now? on Amazon Canada at this link You can watch the trailer for Watchmen, the American superhero drama limited television series Alex mentions in the podcast her...
Jul 01, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 48
