Spring 2012
Ayn Rand’s Theory of Rights with Craig Biddle — 1/18/12
What are rights—where do they come from—how do we know it? In this webinar, Craig Biddle will present the essentials of Ayn Rand’s theory of rights, showing how its principles are derived from perceptual reality; differentiating it from traditional theories, including “God-given” rights, “government-granted” rights, and “natural” rights; and explaining why advocates of liberty must embrace Rand’s theory if they wish to succeed in establishing and maintaining freedom
“Internships for Liberty” with Heather Lakemacher, John Elliot & Maggie Johnson – 1/11/12
Interested in interning for liberty this summer? This webinar will discuss the top internship programs for liberty–the Koch Summer Fellowship, the IHS Journalism Internship, and the Koch Internship Program. This is your chance to get advice from the internship program directors. Each panelist will give a short presentation on the program with Q&A from the audience members to follow.
Fall 2011
“Capitalism & the Family” with Steve Horwitz – 12/7/11
Professor Steve Horwitz argues that the enhanced freedom with respect to family choices that has characterized the modern family and that is celebrated by those on the political left, is largely a product of the economic system, market capitalism, that they often reject. At the same time, those on the right who are troubled by these changes in the family, including the demand for same-sex marriage, need to realize that such cultural changes are an inevitable by-product of the economic freedom they claim to celebrate. Prof. Horwitz will argue that it is capitalism that is the main driver of the evolution of the western family and that the wider array of family structures that characterizes the 21st century represents an increased cultural freedom brought on by the freedom to engage in capitalist acts between consenting adults.
Comparative Political Economy when Anarchism is on the Table with Dan D’Amico – 11/30/11
Professor Dan D’Amico discusses his response essay to James C. Scott’s The Art of Not Being Governed
“Libertarianism & the Left” with Matt Zwolinksi – 11/16/11
Can libertarians find common philosophical ground with those on the political left? In this talk, Professor Zwolinski traces the historyoflibertarian/leftist cooperation (and conflict), and argues that there is ample philosophical justification for a new synthesis: a “bleeding heart libertarianism” that supports free markets and limited government while nevertheless embracing concern for marginalized and oppressed groups and an ideal of social justice.
“You Have No Power Over Me: The Legal Battle Against ObamaCare in Theory and Practice” with Trevor Burrus – 11/9/11
http://vimeo.com/32463183
ObamaCare’s unprecedented requirement that nearly every individual purchase and maintain a qualifying health insurance plan has many Americans uneasy. 60% of Americans oppose ObamaCare and a recent AP poll showed that 80% of Americans believe that Congress cannot make citizens purchase products from a private business. Yet many “Constitutional Law Experts” are treating Obamacare like a run-of-the-mill law that is obviously constitutional. Who’s right, what will happen when the case hits the Supreme Court, and what are the ramifications of laws like ObamaCare for the philosophy of liberty?
“Money Under Laissez Faire” with George Selgin – 10/26/11
http://vimeo.com/31176983
In this webinar George Selgin explains how monetary exchange arose as “a product of human action but not of human design,” and how in the absence of government interference market forces would favor the development of decentralized monetary systems both more efficient and more stable than the centralized and heavily-regulated systems prevailing today.
“How to Talk to Your Friends About Economics” with Isaac Morehouse – 10/19/11
http://vimeo.com/30866401
It’s easy to be caught off-guard when accusations are hurled at a free-market system by students or friends. It’s hard to know how to answer when someone asks how the market works, or how it handles this or that problem. This webinar is designed to offer a few tips on the best way to approach these questions and conversations, so that you stay sane and clearly and accurately describe the ideas you believe in.
“Black Belt Ninja Liberty Moves” with Stefan Molyneux – 10/12/11
http://vimeo.com/30531609
Stefan Molyneux, host of Freedomain Radio, shows you how to effectively deal with the most common objections to a free society, such as:
– Who will build the roads?
– Who will take care of the poor?
– How will the young be educated?
– Who will take care of the sick?
– How will national defense work?
And most important – how are we going to get there from here?
“How to Run a Successful Student Organization” with Alexander Falkenstein, Karina Zannat, Kelly Jemison, and Liya Palagashvili – 10/5/11
http://vimeo.com/30112999
A strong and well run student group can be a powerful force for change on campus. This webinar delves into what truly makes an effective pro-liberty student organization. Experienced SFL leaders will address running events, marketing your group on campus, recruiting new membership, transitioning leadership and much more!
“No Sweat: How Sweatshops Improve Lives and Economic Growth”
with Professor Ben Powell – 9/27/11
Ben Powell explains how sweatshops provide a superior opportunity for the workers who work in them compared to other alternatives available to those workers and the role sweatshops play in the process of economic development that ultimately leads to the disappearance of sweatshops.
“Austrian Economics, Institutional Economics and the Science of Liberty” with Peter Boettke – 9/21/11
Peter Boettke’s talk covers the role and importance of the paradigms of Austrian Economics and Institutional Analysis to gaining an understanding of the mechanisms that underpin a society characterized by sustained economic prosperity and cooperation among free and responsible individuals.
“The Criminalization of Nearly Everything” with Radley Balko – 9/14/11
America has more laws, more prisoners, and spends more money on putting people behind bars than ever before. Radley Balko looks at the frightening expansion of prosecutorial power in America, and what it means that we now use the criminal justice system to address so many of our problems.
Spring 2011
“Privatizing the Roads”
with Dr. Walter Block and Dr. Dan D’Amico
*Due to technical issues only half of this webinar was able to be recorded. If you would like to find out more about Privatizing Roads or a variety of other issues please visit Dr. Walter Block’s website at www.walterblock.com.
“Anarchy and Efficient Law”
with David Friedman
Description:Classical liberals often don’t trust the government to produce consumer products. If the government is incompetent to produce everyday goods and services, is it really competent to produce a legal regime?
Professor Friedman is a Professor of Law at Santa Clara University. He specializes include economics analytics of law, computers, crime, and privacy.
“Structure of the Libertarian Argument and Liberty as a Global Phenomenon”
with Tom Palmer
Description:Tom Palmer joins us for a special extended session to discuss how the elements of libertarian thought are neither an incoherent jumble of policy positions advanced by this or that ideologue, nor a strictly logical-deductive system of thought, but a coherent set of reinforcing ideas with a historical genesis. In his argument, the three main elements of libertarian thought are 1) imprescriptible individual rights, 2) spontaneous (or “emergent”) order, 3) limited government and the rule of law. Tom will review their relationships both historically and conceptually (or “philosophically”) and then discuss the universalist nature and appeal of libertarianism. He will conclude with a review of some very exciting developments involving libertarians around the world, including activities in Egypt, Central Asia, Africa, and East Asia.
“Lest We Forget: Lessons of Soviet Socialism”
with Richard Ebeling
Description:This year marks the 20th anniversary of the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. But the lessons to be learned from socialism-in-practice in the last century have continuing relevance for the political and economic problems of our own time, both in America and around the world. If we do not heed those lessons, we may continue going down a new road to serfdom with a loss of both freedom and prosperity along the way.
“Equality as a Political Ideal”
with Mark LeBar
Description:Some people think that equality is an important (perhaps THE important) aim of government. Should it be? Mark LeBar is an associate professor of philosophy at Ohio University in Athens. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine University, an MA in philosophy from the University of Washington, and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Arizona. He has published papers on ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of mind, and is at work on a project exploring the foundations of political obligations and authority in Aristotelian moral theory.
“Political Economy and Economic Imperialism”
with Nikolai Wenzel
Description:Traditional tools from politics, sociology, law, and other disciplines are insufficient for a complete understanding of the world. Non-traditional applications of economics have a huge marginal impact: these include institutions, the knowledge problem, public choice theory, social theory, and spontaneous order. Nikolai will give an introduction to all these fields, while at the same time synthesizing them to show their importance.
“How to Advance Liberty: Winning in the Court of Public Opinion”
with Bob Ewing
Description: Bob Ewing works on the Institute for Justice’s award-winning media team. In this talk, Bob will share the secrets of IJ’s success and teach you how to effectively advance liberty in your own sphere. Further, he will show that you can apply these principles to other aspects of your life, including landing your dream job.
“Austrian Business Cycle Theory and the Great Recession”
with Steve Horowitz
Description: Want a good argument to explain the financial crisis from a non-Keynesian point of view? Steven Horwitz, a Mercatus Center Affiliated Senior Scholar and the Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics at St. Lawrence University, gives an overview of the Austrian theory of the business cycle, focusing on its difference with standard Keynesian macroeconomics. Steve will then apply the theory to the events leading up to the current recession and then explore how it helps to see the flaws in quantitative easing and stimulus spending as supposed cures. Along the way, he will also illustrate the theory and applications with examples from the Great Depression.
“Intentions and Action are Not Enough: The Need For Ideas in the Libertarian Movement”
with Isaac Morehouse
Description: Isaac M. Morehouse, educational programs director at the Institute for Humane Studies, explains why a burning desire to make the world a better place comes first. Action should come last. Find out why the battle of ideas has not been won and why now, more than ever, thinking needs to precede doing.
“How Governmentally Mandated Safety Measures May Be Hazardous to Your Health”
with Professor James Lark
Description: How do individuals deal with risk in a free society? What if appeals to the state aren’t so good for us after all? Dr. Lark explores the lesser-known detrimental effects of government programs that are intended to keep people healthy and safe.
“Great Myths of The Great Depression”
with Lawrence Reed
Description: Contrary to the popular myth, capitalism didn’t bring on the Great Depression and Franklin Roosevelt didn’t save us from it. Nor was Herbert Hoover a friend of free enterprise. Based on his widely-acclaimed essay, ‘Great Myths of the Great Depression,’ Lawrence Reed’s webinar lecture will blow away the errors and explain the real causes of the debacle of the 1930s as well as the policy mistakes that prolonged it.
“Proving Libertarian Morality”
with Stefan Molyneux
Description: Libertarians stand for the nonaggression principle, property rights and objective morality. How can libertarian virtues be established without reference to subjective interpretations of religious texts, or the amoral might of the well-armed state? Stefan Molyneux of Freedomain Radio has published a free book called Universally Preferable Behavior: A Rational Proof of Secular Ethics, which details a powerful solution to the problem of modern morality. In this engaging webinar, Mr. Molyneux introduces this theory, and takes questions, criticisms and corrections from the audience.
“How to Get an Internship for Liberty”
with Isaac Morehouse
Description: Isaac Morehouse, educational programs director at the Institute for Humane Studies and former director of the highly competitive and prestigious Charles G. Koch Summer Fellows Program, provides tips on how to plan your careers and internships around liberty-oriented goals and get the insider tips to make yourself the ideal candidate in the liberty movement!
Fall 2010
“Poverty, Prosperity, and Economic Freedom – The Hard Reality: Where Would we Be Without Economic Freedom?”
with Matthew Mitchell
Description: Matthew Mitchell introduces the concept of economic freedom, explains how it relates to measures of well-being such as life expectancy and per capita income, and discusses the ways in which the level of economic freedom is changing.
“The Killing Fields: Radical Ideologies of the 20thCentury”
with Brad Birzer
Description: Brad Birzer discusses the turn of the intellectual landscape in the late 1800s and the consequent development and dark impact of collectivist ideology on the 20th century. Focusing on the tragic devastation caused in 1970s Cambodia by Pol Pot’s Khumer Rouge, Dr. Birzer leads thought provoking insights on the role of ideas and the fate of classical liberalism in our times.
“The Language of Liberty: Improving the Rhetorical Skills of Liberty Activists”
with Professor James Lark
Description: Professor Jim Lark of the University of Virginia lectures on the ways in which activists for liberty can improve the effectiveness of their advocacy. He offers some invaluable suggestions on improving our ability to explain and defend the principles of freedom. Tune in and gain a skill that will give you the upper hand the next time you must come to the rescue of liberty in conversation.
“Going Grad: Law School & Advancing Liberty”
with Jeanne Hoffman
Description: Jeanne Hoffman, Program Officer in Law at the Institute for Humane Studies, and Samuel Eckman, 1L at the University of Chicago Law School cover the basics of law school: what it is, whether it’s right for you, and how to get in and thrive. Learn how to write a killer personal statement, tips for nailing the LSAT, and how to turn an interest in law into a successful career advancing liberty.
“The Pessimistic Bias: Developing Historical Perspectives on Human Progress”
with Dr. Bradley Hobbs
Description: Dr. Bradley Hobbs of Florida Gulf Coast University discuss the “Pessimistic Bias” and historical perspectives on human progress. There is ample evidence that Americans misjudge their standard-of-living from both historical and current perspectives: they are also quite pessimistic concerning the future. People tend to engage in “The Good Old Days…” fallacy by idealizing the conditions of the past. Regarding the future, 68% of Americans believe that the “American Dream” will be “harder” for their children to achieve and 45% rated it as “much harder”. The failure to understand where we are, in terms of living standards, in both historical and relative terms feeds incorrect and biased views regarding human progress over the past few centuries. This webinar covers the speed and scope of human progress from not only an economic or material perspective, but in numerous other important measures of quality of life.
“True Egoism: What it is and Why It’s Needed For Freedom”
with Dr. Ed Hudgins
Description: Dr. Ed Hudgins of the Atlas Society discusses why ethics must rest on rational individualism not only as a path to a happy and flourishing life, but also to ensure a free society. How does objectivism fit into the ideas of liberty? Where is the dividing line between subjective and objective morals? Why is Ayn Rand necessary for our advocacy of a free society?
“Substantive Criticisms of the Libertarian Perspective”
Description: Dr. James W. Lark III hosts our second webinar on outreach strategies and asserts that one of the best ways we can spread liberty is by understanding what liberty is up against. Learn how to properly meet the intellectual challenge!
“They Pay You to Learn: How to Get Funded at a Strong PhD Program”
Description: Dr. Bill Glod of the Institute for Humane Studies gives you the tips you need to advance yourself as a future academic. Applying to graduate school involves many crucial decisions, since it will shape the course of your next few years as well as your career. Many students make avoidable mistakes in their undergrad and application stage. Dr. Glod will discuss tips and strategies for being accepted to and finding funding at a strong program. Get your questions answered!
“Frederic Bastiat: The Legendary Life & Works at a Time of Revolution”
Description: Dr. David Hart of Liberty Fund, Inc. lectures and takes questions on the life and accomplishments of this giant of 19th century liberalism who’s ideas remain as relevant today as ever.
“The Failure of the ‘Market Failure’ Argument”
Description: Hear the phenomenal legal scholar, Dr. John Hasnas of Georgetown University, destroy the argument that government is necessary to fix “market failures.”
“By the Numbers: Important Issues in Interpreting Public Policy Data”
Description: The aphorism “Figures don’t lie, but liars can figure” is well known among those who transform data into information. However, even those of impeccable intellectual integrity may fail to detect potential problems in accurately transforming data into useful information about public policy. Dr. James W. Lark, III of the University of Virginia discusses some important issues to consider when interpreting data for use in public policy matters.
“How to Win Friends and Influence People When Talking Policy”
Description: Smart-talk and persuasion doesn’t come easy. All of us can be socially awkward. Too often, an inability to communicate very well with peers from across the political spectrum puts an end to potentially beneficial discussions and connections before they even begin. Tyler Grimm of Public Notice gives us practical advice for those social and academic situations.
“Transitioning Leadership”
Description: Transitioning leadership is the most important task facing student group leaders. Identifying, training, and successfully transferring responsibility to future leaders is critical to the continued success of your student group. That is why we have assembled a panel of student organizers who have successfully transferred leadership of their groups. Learn directly from Masood Manoochehri, Andrew Kaluza, Pericles Niarchos, and Kevin Duewel about what worked well, what didn’t, and what steps you should be taking to pass the torch.
Spring 2010
“Making the Most of your Summer”, a joint project with Alumni For Liberty
Description: Just because school is out doesn’t mean that the fight for liberty — or the opportunity to advance your career — is on hiatus. Whether you’re preparing to launch a career, start a summer internship, or kick back for some much-deserved rest and relaxation, there are plenty of ways to use your summer productively and in support of liberty. Alumni For Liberty and Students For Liberty presented the E-Leadership Webinar, “Making the Most of Your Summer,” featuring Chad Wilcox.
“How to Nail the Job Interview”, a joint project with Alumni For Liberty
Description: When most people think of job hunting, they think of preparing resumes, writing cover letters, and scouring job posting boards to find opportunities. However all of those activities are simply stepping stones to the most important aspect of a job hunt, the interview itself. Interviewing for a job in the liberty movement is a unique experience and we have two experts to help guide you through the process. Lea Krohn and Shannon Quantock, the Program Manager for Talent Development and Human Resources Manager of the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation led this webinar. They have extensive experience on both the interviewer and interviewee side of the process.
“Job Hunting for Liberty”, a joint project with Alumni For Liberty
Description: As the general job market contracts, the policy sector has seen an explosion in the number of organizations filling every conceivable niche of public policy from the international to the municipal level, creating employment opportunities that are plentiful but diffuse and difficult to find. According to one survey, there are over 1,750 think tanks, policy institutes, and advocacy organizations in the U.S. Add to this the non-profit organizations, lobby groups, and political campaigns that dot the marketplace, and it’s enough to send any sound-minded graduate back for another year (or 7) of school. Resources abound to help talented young classical liberals become a productive (and paid!) part of the movement for a freer society, but you have to know where to begin. Scott Barton and Isaac Morehouse, both of the Institute for Humane Studies, led a crash course on the job banks, career centers, and organizations that connect applicants to employment opportunities.
“How to Write a Winning Resume”, a joint project with Alumni For Liberty
Description: As unemployment continues to be acutely-felt across the country, employers are receiving more applications for positions than ever before. Oftentimes, a resume provides prospective employers with their first — and perhaps last — impression of a candidate, and so crafting a resume that is comprehensive, succinct, and well-designed is of the utmost importance to recent graduates in the job market. In this first installment of this joint E-Leadership Series between SFL and AFL, Talent Market’s Claire Kittle provided a crash course in writing a resume that will get you an interview and land you a job at the firm of your choice.
Fall 2009
“How to Get an Internship for Liberty”
Description: Want to work for an organization dedicated to liberty? Want to do research and write papers on public policy? Want to learn how to run a think tank? You can gain experience in all these areas by interning for liberty this summer! Many students have heard of the Cato Institute’s internship program or Reason Magazine’s internship, but there are literally hundreds of pro-liberty organizations around the U.S. where you can intern for the summer. This webinar provided an overview of what to expect during an internship for liberty, and how to make your application for internships as strong as possible. Note: Check out SFL’s listing of pro-liberty internships around the US here http://studentsforliberty.org/college/internships/.
“An Economic Analysis of Drug Legalization”
Description: Professor Jeffrey Miron explains that according to standard economic reasoning, drug prohibition is likely to cause numerous undesirable consequences and is almost certainly inferior to alternative policies for addressing the social costs created by drug use. This talk presented the economic arguments for drug legalization and discuss the evidence pertaining to this analysis. An important theme was that that even if drug consumption is undesirable – in the sense that drug consumption causes harm to innocent third parties – prohibition is probably the worst possible approach for addressing these harms. At the same time, alternative approaches – including sin taxation, education campaigns, or subsidized treatment – have their own undesirable side effects. Thus, it is possible if not likely that a laissez-faire approach to drug consumption is the best that society can achieve.
“Marketing on Campus”
Description: Advertising your student group and group events is perhaps the most important thing about running a student group, but also the one most often overlooked. Often, students think that just by holding an event on campus that other students will hear about it. Many times, though, a pro-liberty group will exist on campus and other pro-liberty students don’t ever learn about it. This webinar brought student leaders who have done successful campus marketing campaigns to give insights for how to utilize both contemporary online marketing tactics as well as traditional on the ground strategies to maximize your group’s exposure and get more recognition from the university community.
“An Economic History of the Prison”
Description: Prisons are undoubtedly a potential tool for the protection of liberty, but much like any technology they can be used in a variety of different methods to a variety of different consequences and motivated by a variety of different intentions. It is Dr. Dan D’Amico’s argument that the long and sometimes tragic history of prisons parallels the long and sometimes dismal history of liberty. If this is correct, the future potential and protection of individual liberty in society is in part dependent upon society’s ability to constrain the use of prison systems by governments.
“Successful Campus Speaker Events”
Description: Bringing in speakers is the primary activity of many pro-liberty groups. But there are both good and bad ways to hold a speaker event. This webinar featured several student leaders who have held major speaker events with national celebrities like Ron Paul and John Stossel, as well as students who hold successful speaker events on their campus with local activists to share their insights for how to make sure that when you have a speaker come to campus, you have high attendance, an interesting presentation, and an overall professional experience.
“Adam Smith, Free Trade and the Birth of Economics”
Description: As the school year begins, hear a lecture you may not hear on campus and celebrate classical liberalism! Invite all your friends, regardless of political ideology, and learn about free market economics. Lawrence W. Reed is the current president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), and former president of the Mackinac Center, which he pushed to become one of the most prolific free market think tanks in the U.S. He has taught economics at Northwood University and has received innumerable acclaim for his work in the liberty movement.
Spring 2009
“Market Based Management(R) for Student Groups” by Dr. Tony Woodlief (Market Based Management Institute)
Student Panel on “Alumni Involvement”
Student Panel on “Transitioning Leadership”
Student Panel on “Threats to Liberty Around the World”
“How to Get an Internship for Liberty” by Scott Barton (Institute for Humane Studies)
“Student Leadership” by Alexander McCobin
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I tried to watch “No Sweat: How Sweatshops Improve Lives and Economic Growth” with Professor Ben Powell and the page at vimeo says the recording was deleted. Is there any way this recording could be re-posted?
Thanks.
http://vimeo.com/30324866
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