The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) and the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) were crucial in my intellectual development. Back in the 1970s, when I attended my first FEE and IHS seminars, there were few such gatherings on the political economy of liberty. For some of us students, the timing was just about right for receiving during the summer what we missing at our colleges and universities.
So it was with interest that I read about Cato University 2012. The July 29–August 3 seminar is a great opportunity for students of liberty. The redone, spacious Cato Institute at 1000 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, will be the venue for the first time in many years.
“In a time of political turbulence, a presidential election, ideological posturing, and so much more,” the announcement reads, “our nation’s capital is the perfect setting for examining the roots of our commitment to liberty and limited government and for exploring the ideas and values on which the American republic was founded.”
Continuing:
A key feature of the Summer Seminar is the people. The enthusiasm and openness of the attendees is what really makes Cato University the one-of-a-kind event it is every year. Because we hope you’ll be able to join us in Washington, we wanted to be sure you had an early opportunity to learn the details and register.
The six-day seminar, which is highlighted by a Capitol Hill dinner with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), features some top libertarian thinkers/talks as these:
- Tom Palmer: “The Science of Liberty,” “Origins of State and Government,” “Freedom in a Historical Perspective,” “Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Sacred Honor.”
- Steve Landsburg: “The Greatest Story Ever Told: The Amazing Story of Economic Growth,” “Creating Wealth,” “How Markets Make Things Work,” “The Power of Incentives.”
- Robert McDonald: “Liberty and the American Experience, Part I,” “Liberty and the American Experience, Part II,” “George Washington and the Power of Restraint.”
- Daniel Griswold: “Understanding Public Policy — A Primer.”
- Roger Pilon: “The Constitution and the Rule of Law.”
- Robert A. Levy: “How the Supreme Court Subverted the Constitution.”
- Michael Cannon: “Limits on Government Power: Obamacare and the Constitution.”
- Christopher Preble and Malou Innocent: “To Provide for the Common Defense: Foreign Policy and the American Constitution.”
- Amy Sturgis: “Property Rights, American Indians and Reservation Socialism.”
- Mark Calabria: “Avoiding a Future Financial Crisis.”
- David Boaz: “Reclaiming Freedom.”
For further details on the 2012 seminar can be found here.
Let’s hope for a good turnout. The Cato event promises to not only educate libertarians on the deeper roots of an intellectual tradition, but also attract those who are looking for a new intellectual home.
May the best ideas win!
An economist friend point this out to me a couple of weeks ago. I plan to go and hope to see a few MR friends there!