Alex speaks with Matt Bufton about the effects of pandemic policy, impending war and populism on a once-optimistic outlook for liberalism's future. References 1. Institute for Liberal Studies Link: https://www.liberalstudies.ca/ 2. “What is the Future of Liberalism” The Curious Task Episode with Matt Bufton Link: https://thecurioustask.podbean.com/e/ep-22-matt-bufton-%e2%80%94-what-is-the-future-of-liberalism/ 3. “Portland Protesters Create ‘Autonomous Zone’ by Pitching Tents, Rebuilding Barrica...
Mar 09, 2022•55 min•Ep. 132
Alex speaks with Mike Munger about the concept of monopoly and the history of anti-trust and industrial policy in America. References 1. “Is Capitalism Sustainable?” by Michael Munger Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Capitalism-Sustainable-Michael-Munger/dp/1630691739 2. “Michael Munger on Antitrust” Podcast by Econlib Link: https://www.econtalk.org/michael-munger-on-antitrust/ 3. “The Antitrust Laws” by the Federal Trade Commission Link: https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide...
Mar 02, 2022•51 min•Ep. 131
Alex speaks with Bryan Caplan about his novel solutions to the housing crisis, his affinity for graphic novels as a teaching tool, and the market-based approaches that are already working despite what our psychology is leading us to believe. References 1. “The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies” by Bryan Caplan Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Myth-Rational-Voter-Democracies-Policies/dp/0691138737 2. “The Case Against Education: Why the Education System is a Waste of Time...
Feb 23, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 130
Alex speaks with Andrew Smith about capitalist peace theory and discusses a Canadian case study as an example of mutually beneficial exchange leading to peace and prosperity. References 1. “Canadian Entrepreneurs and the Preservation of the Capitalist Peace in the North Atlantic Triangle in the Civil War Era, 1861-1871” by Andrew D. Smith and Laurence B. Mussio Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/enterprise-and-society/article/abs/canadian-entrepreneurs-and-the-preservation-of-the-capi...
Feb 16, 2022•55 min•Ep. 129
Alex speaks with Adam Gurri about how the large umbrella of liberalism under which a number of movements, systems of thought, and ideological identities may have more in common than is often thought. References 1. Liberal Currents Magazine Link: https://www.liberalcurrents.com/ 2. Embodiment and Exclusion Blog Link: https://embodimentandexclusion.com/ 3. Jacobin Magazine Link: https://jacobin.com/ 4. “The Communitarian Critique of Liberalism” by Michael Walzer Link: https://www.ias.edu/sites/def...
Feb 09, 2022•57 min•Ep. 128
Alex speaks with Chandran Kukathas about the costs of limiting immigration and what effects there may be on policy if the question of who counts as an immigrant is itself unclear. References 1. “Immigration and Freedom” by Chandran Kukathas Link: https://www.amazon.com/Immigration-Freedom-Chandran-Kukathas/dp/0691189684
Feb 02, 2022•59 min•Ep. 127
Alex speaks with Steve Davies about the meaning of "Global Catastrophic Risk", and what it can reveal about how restructuring our understanding of big gambles can help us combat the threats of pandemics, climate change, and even technological singularity. References 1. “Empiricism and History” by Stephen Davies Link: https://www.amazon.com/Empiricism-History-Theory-Stephen-Davies/dp/0333964705 2. “A Dictionary of Conservative and Libertarian Thought” by Nigel Ashford and Stephen Davies Link: htt...
Jan 26, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 126
Alex speaks with Dan Shahar about the ethical implications of meat-eating, activism in relation to problematic markets, and a tricky thought experiment involving aliens and cows. References 1. “Environmental Ethics: What Really Matters, What Really Works” by David Schmidtz and Dan C. Shahar Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Environmental-Ethics-Really-Matters-Works/dp/0190259221 2. “Why It’s OK to Eat Meat” by Dan C. Shahar Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Why-Its-OK-Eat-Meat/dp/0367172763...
Jan 19, 2022•56 min•Ep. 125
Alex speaks with Professor Will Clare Roberts about Marx's life, his liberal past, and the relationship between the Marxist and liberal conceptions of freedom. References 1. “Marx’s Inferno: The Political Theory of Capitalism” by William Clare Roberts Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Marxs-Inferno-Political-Theory-Capital/dp/0691172900 2. “Capital: Volume I” by Karl Marx Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Capital-Critique-Political-Economy-Kapital-ebook/dp/B002XHNMN0 3. “The Civil War In France” by Karl Mar...
Jan 12, 2022•53 min•Ep. 124
Alex speaks with James Harrigan about popular culture as a source of social change and the many ways in which the export of American pop culture has shaped the world. References 1. “Brown v. Board of Education” by the National Archives Link: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education 2. “Roe v. Wade” by Britannica Link: https://www.britannica.com/event/Roe-v-Wade...
Jan 05, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 123
Alex speaks with Curious Task Executive Producer Matt Bufton and Producer Sabine El-Chidiac about topics related to freedom from 2021, and reflect on their favourite moments and accomplishments from the past year of The Curious Task. References 1. “Welcoming Afghans to Canada” by the Government of Canada Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan.html?utm_campaign=gac-amc-afghanistan-21-22&utm_source=countrypageafghanistan&utm_medium=not...
Dec 29, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 122
Alex speaks with Tony Gill about the pros and cons of gift-giving from an economist's perspective - just in time for the holiday season! References 1. “Research on Religion” Podcast by Anthony Gill Link: http://www.researchonreligion.org/ 2. “The Comparative Endurance and Efficiency of Religion: A Public Choice Approach” by Anthony Gill Link: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3400324 3. “Gift Giving is Better for Society than Economists Think” by Anthony Gill Link: https://aier...
Dec 22, 2021•53 min•Ep. 121
Alex speaks with Lotta Stern about the tendency in sociology to overlook voluntary actions and associations as a means of addressing some of the largest social challenges of our day, and about the importance of avoiding absolutism in sociological thinking. References 1. “Class Origin and Elite Position of Men in Business Firms in Sweden, 1993-2007: The Importance of Education, Cognitive Ability, and Personality” by Eric Bihagen, Magnus Nermo, and Charlotta Stern Link: https://academic.oup.com/es...
Dec 15, 2021•43 min•Ep. 120
Alex speaks with Bill Glod about bad choices, coercion, and paternalism in order to flesh out the ideas from his 2020 book "Why It's Okay To Make Bad Choices". References 1. “Why It’s OK to Make Bad Choices” by William Glod Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Why-Its-Make-Bad-Choices/dp/0367195178 2. “Why it’s OK: The Ethics and Aesthetics of How We Live” Book Series by Routledge Link: https://www.routledge.com/Why-Its-OK/book-series/WIOK?srsltid=AfmBOopRQGuXr21UGdvawsLMPBYdAoBPvZ_t_iAYHMvyFO6W_H3OfL4a ...
Dec 08, 2021•48 min•Ep. 119
Alex speaks with Gary Chartier about the varied ways in which the term "capitalism" is used today, the distinction between left-libertarianism and anarchism, and the future of market-based approaches to rooting out injustice from today's complex world. References 1. “Public Practice, Private Law: An Essay of Love, Marriage, and the State” by Gary Chartier Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Public-Practice-Private-Law-Marriage/dp/1316506088 2. “Anarchy and Legal Order: Law and Politics for a Stateless S...
Dec 01, 2021•48 min•Ep. 118
Alex speaks with Ben Klutsey about the political polarization that is endemic to American society today, and how novel attempts to bridge the divide are being made by both individuals and organizations. References 1. “Overdoing Democracy: Why We Must Put Politics in its Place” by Robert B. Talisse Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Overdoing-Democracy-Must-Politics-Place/dp/0190924195 2. Read more about Ben’s Pluralism and Civil Exchange program at the Mercatus Center here: Link: https://www.mercatus.o...
Nov 24, 2021•54 min•Ep. 117
Alex speaks with Jacob Levy about Montesquieu's role in shaping contemporary political science, the American revolutionary project, and the role of the separation of powers as a bulwark against despotism. References 1. “Rationalism, Pluralism, and Freedom” by Jacob Levy Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Rationalism-Pluralism-Freedom-Jacob-Levy/dp/0198808917 2. “The Multiculturalism of Fear” by Jacob Levy Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Multiculturalism-Fear-Jacob-T-Levy/dp/0198297122 3. “Montesquieu’s Con...
Nov 17, 2021•58 min•Ep. 116
Alex speaks with Geoff Kellow about the life and writings of Benjamin Franklin and whether they can help us better understand the connection between markets and virtue. References 1. “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” by Benjamin Franklin Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Autobiography-Benjamin-Franklin/dp/1508475091 2. “Benjamin Franklin and Adam Smith: Two Strangers and the Spirit of Capitalism” by Geoff Kellow Link: https://read.dukeupress.edu/hope/article-abstract/50/2/321/134723/Benjamin-Fr...
Nov 10, 2021•56 min•Ep. 115
Alex speaks with Dan Smith about the lack of accountability in the contemporary world of monetary policy and why greater discretion may not be the answer. References 1. “Money and the Rule of Law: Generality and Predictability in Monetary Institutions” by Peter Boettke, Alexander Salter, and Daniel Smith Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Money-Rule-Law-Predictability-Institutions/dp/1108479847 2. “Who Is Ben Bernake? Why Is He Important?” by Julia Kagan Link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/benbe...
Nov 03, 2021•53 min•Ep. 114
Alex speaks with Bruce Caldwell on the history of one of the world's most exclusive intellectual societies. References 1. “Hayek’s Challenge: An Intellectual Biography of F.A. Hayek” by Bruce Caldwell Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Hayeks-Challenge-Intellectual-Biography-F/dp/0226091937 2. “Hayek: A Life, 1899-1950” by Bruce Caldwell Link: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo136253636.html 3. “Mont Pelerin 1947: Transcripts of the Founding Meeting of the Mont Pelerin Society” by B...
Oct 27, 2021•59 min•Ep. 113
Alex Aragona speaks with Victor M. Muniz-Fraticelli about whether the monarchy might seem absurd, and whether a little absurdity can be a good thing. References 1. “The Monarchy and the Constitution” by Vernon Bogdanor Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Monarchy-Constitution-Vernon-Bogdanor/dp/0198293348
Oct 20, 2021•57 min•Ep. 112
Alex Aragona speaks with Maria Pia Paganelli as she sheds light on the historical context of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, and some of the surprising insights within it that make it more relevant than ever today. References 1. “The Routledge Guidebook to Smith’s Wealth of Nations” by Maria Pia Paginelli Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Routledge-Guidebook-Smiths-Wealth-Nations/dp/1138686158 2. “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Wealth-Nations-Adam-Smith/dp/1680920...
Oct 13, 2021•56 min•Ep. 111
Alex Aragona speaks with Emily Nacol as she breaks down both the origins and contemporary puzzles of the concept of risk. References 1. "An Age of Risk: Politics and Economy in Early Britain" by Emily Nacol Link: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691165103/an-age-of-risk?srsltid=AfmBOoqPrhGB4AqvPOCalJPxFfkdI6iTXt5dkYsLvm5jCerE2A063rcP 2. “Leviathan” by Thomas Hobbes Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Wealth-Nations-Adam-Smith/dp/1680920960 3. “Second Treatise of Government” by John Locke ...
Oct 06, 2021•51 min•Ep. 110
Alex Aragona speaks with Andrew Sabl as he explores what he means by "realist liberalism" and how it works to curb some of the misguided tendencies of other liberalisms. References 1. Liberalism Beyond Markets by Andrew Stabl Link: https://www.niskanencenter.org/liberalism-beyond-markets/ 2. Realist liberalism: an agenda by Andrew Stabl Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13698230.2017.1293916 3. A Look Back: Sedition, Free Speech and the President by Scott Bomboy Link: https://co...
Sep 29, 2021•57 min•Ep. 114
Alex Aragona speaks with Michelle Schwarze as she presents what she means by resentment, and whether there is a place for it in politics. References 1. "Recognizing Resentment: Sympathy, Injustice and Liberal Political Thought" by Michelle Schwarze Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Recognizing-Resentment-Michelle-Schwarze/dp/1108478662 2. Second Emancipation Proclamation letter from Martin Luther King to President Kennedy Link: https://www.crmvet.org/info/emancip2.pdf...
Sep 22, 2021•53 min•Ep. 113
Alex Aragona speaks with Stefan Kolev as he tours through the origins of Ordoliberalism and some of its fundamental principles. References 1. When Liberty Presupposes Order: F. A. Hayek’s Contextual Ordoliberalism by Steven Kolev Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-history-of-economic-thought/article/when-liberty-presupposes-order-f-a-hayeks-contextual-ordoliberalism/E3B96673B94952167704B24FC3A91857 2. “Old Chicago” and Freiburg: Why Ordoliberalism Was No “German Oddity”...
Sep 15, 2021•56 min•Ep. 112
Alex Aragona speaks with Travis Smith as he explores some key insights from Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. References 1. “Superhero Ethics” by Travis Smith Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Superhero-Ethics-Comic-Heroes-World/dp/1599474549 2. “Democracy in America” by Alexis de Tocqueville Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Democracy-America-Tocqueville-Mansfield-Winthrop/dp/0226805360 3. “Democracy in America, Volume 2” by Alexis de Tocqueville Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Democracy-America-Vo...
Sep 08, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 111
Alex Aragona speaks with Caroline Breashears as she explores concepts from Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments, and connects them to various characters and stories in English literature. References 1. “Eighteenth-Century Women's Writing and the 'Scandalous Memoir’” by Caroline Breashears Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Eighteenth-Century-Womens-Writing-Scandalous-Memoir/dp/3319486543 2. “The Practical Morality of Life: Adam Smith, George Anne Bellamy, and the Theatre” Link: https://edinburghuniv...
Sep 01, 2021•53 min•Ep. 110
Alex Aragona speaks with Pete Boettke as he presents his thinking on whether the world needs more classical liberalism, and how understanding the principles of liberalism might be the way to a better world. References 1. “The Struggle for a Better World” by Pete Boettke Link: https://www.amazon.com/Struggle-Better-World-Peter-Boettke/dp/1942951876 2. “Hayek on the Role of Reason in Human Affairs” by Intercollegiate Studies Institute Link: https://isi.org/hayek-on-the-role-of-reason-in-human-affa...
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 109
Alex Aragona speaks with James Otteson as he tours through the seven deadly sins of economics, and how they can avoiding them can improve your thinking on public policy and in personal matters. References 1. "Seven Deadly Economic Sins: Obstacles to Prosperity and Happiness Every Citizen Should Know" by James Otteson Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Seven-Deadly-Economic-Sins-Prosperity/dp/1108843379 2. “Adam Smith and the Great Mind Fallacy” by James Otteson Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/jour...
Aug 18, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 108
