essays
A Utilitarian Case for Libertarianism
Libertarian political institutions would maximize utility.
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Aaron Ross Powell
Aaron Ross Powell is Director and Editor of Libertarianism.org, a project of the Cato Institute. Libertarianism.org presents introductory material as well as new scholarship related to libertarian philosophy, theory, and history. He is also co-host of Libertarianism.org’s popular podcast, Free Thoughts. His writing has appeared in Liberty and The Cato Journal. He earned a JD from the University of Denver.
Free Thoughts
Arguments for Liberty: Kantianism
Jason Kuznicki joins us to discuss the chapter he wrote on Immanuel Kant for our new book, Arguments for Liberty.
Free Thoughts
Harambe to Trump: 2016 Was the Worst
David Boaz joins us to recap 2016. Did we just have the worst year ever in American politics?
Free Thoughts
The Gold Standard Won’t Be Coming Back
George Selgin joins us for a discussion about the gold standard. How did America get off the gold standard, and is there any chance of the country returning to it?
Free Thoughts
The Permission Society: How the Ruling Class Turns Our Freedoms into Privileges and What We Can Do About It
Timothy Sandefur joins us this week to talk about his new book, The Permission Society. When you should you need a permit to do certain things?
Free Thoughts
Why Schools Haven’t Changed in Hundreds of Years
Kevin Currie-Knight joins us this week to discuss why we can’t seem to change the way we educate schoolchildren. Is there one best way to educate kids?
Free Thoughts
Why Can’t You Email Your Doctor?
Dr. Ryan Neuhofel joins us this week to talk about his practice, NeuCare, which is a very different way to approach primary care medicine in the United States.
Free Thoughts
The New Trail of Tears: How Washington Is Destroying American Indians
Naomi Schaefer Riley joins us for a discussion about how poorly the US government treats Native Americans, and what can be done about it.
Video Collection
Should Libertarians Vote?
Aaron Powell and Trevor Burrus debate Jim Harper and Michael Cannon on the merits of voting.
columns
Some Very Good Reasons Not to Vote
It’s not worth getting your hands dirty to do something so ineffective.
Free Thoughts
Bonus Election Day Episode: Should Libertarians Vote?
Aaron and Trevor debate Jim Harper and Michael F. Cannon on the merits of voting on this special Election Day bonus episode of Free Thoughts.
Free Thoughts
Wealth, Poverty and Politics: An International Perspective
Thomas Sowell joins us for a discussion about disparities of income and wealth between and within nations, as part of Equality Month at Libertarianism.org.
Free Thoughts
People, Not Ratios: Why the Debate Over Income Inequality Asks the Wrong Questions
Ryan Young joins us for a discussion about income inequality in the world today, as part of Equality Month at Libertarianism.org. Has inequality gone up?
Free Thoughts
Communicating Liberty Through Film and the Making Of “Freedom on Trial”
John Papola joins us to talk about the conception and production of Libertarianism.org’s newest video series, Freedom on Trial.
Free Thoughts
Explaining the Rise of Donald Trump
Ben Domenech joins us this week to discuss Donald J. Trump’s candidacy. What is Trump doing differently?
Free Thoughts
Rituals of Freedom: Libertarian Themes in Early Confucianism
Roderick T. Long joins us to talk about libertarian themes in Chinese philosophy. How much do libertarianism and early Confucianism have in common?
Free Thoughts
Politics As a Peculiar Business: Insights from a Theory of Entangled Political Economy
Richard Wagner provides an overview of public choice economics and considers how limited governments are incentivized to morph into destructive regulatory systems.
Free Thoughts
Thin Blue Lies: How Pretextual Stops Undermine Police Legitimacy
Jonathan Blanks joins us for a discussion about police stops and the Fourth Amendment. Is there a war on cops?