The Curious Task

Kevin Munger - Why Do Baby Boomers Still Dominate Politics and Culture?

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Kevin Munger about why the oft-parodied and dismissed subject of inter-generational conflict may help us to better understand current...

Stephen Davies — What is Global Catastrophic Risk?

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Due to Ottawa's electricity grids being all but completely destroyed after the city was treated to a derecho over the long weekend, we were unable to ...

Deirdre McCloskey - Why Does Liberalism Work?

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Deirdre McCloskey in a wide-ranging conversation that addresses the economic, philosophical, and political reasons why liberalism jus...

Dwight Newman - How Can We Maintain The Rule Of Law In An Emergency?

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Dwight Newman, who encourages listeners to think critically about the use of emergency powers, the term "crisis", and recent events i...

Jason Lee Byas - How Should We Deal With Historic Injustice?

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Jason Lee Byas about the complexities of responding to questions of historic injustice, reparations, and compensation within a libert...

David Friedman - What Does Law Have To Do With Economics?

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with David Friedman about the history of legal systems around the world from an economic standpoint. References 1. “The Machinery of Fre...

Ryan Patrick Hanley - What Is Our Great Purpose?

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Ryan Patrick Hanley about the enduring power of Adam Smith's contributions to not only political and moral philosophy, but to what it...

Jacob Levy - What Is Academic Freedom?

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Jacob Levy about the fine line between the generalized right to free speech and the distinct concept of academic freedom - and what i...

Russ Roberts - What’s Wrong With Education?

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Russ Roberts about the nature of education and how we should rethink it in today's world. This is a special episode being released in...

Aaron Powell - Is Fusionism Dead?

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Aaron Powell about the origins of fusionism, where it stands today, and why non-traditional alliances might be the way of the future....

Sabine El-Chidiac and Peter Jaworski - Does Immigration Make A Better World?

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Sabine El-Chidiac and Peter Jaworski about the advantages of advocating for more refugees and immigrants in Canada, and how it makes ...

Charles Cockell - Why Is Freedom Important Beyond Earth?

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Charles Cockell about his focus on the future of liberty in space. They discuss solutions for protecting individual freedoms and righ...

Pete Boettke — Is a Better World Possible?

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Economist Pete Boettke joins Alex to discuss the promise of liberalism in creating a better world. (This episode originally aired Aug 21, 2021.) Refer...

Matt Bufton - What Is The Future Of Liberalism From 2022?

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Matt Bufton about the effects of pandemic policy, impending war and populism on a once-optimistic outlook for liberalism's future. Re...

Mike Munger - What’s Wrong With Anti-Trust and Industrial Policy?

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Mike Munger about the concept of monopoly and the history of anti-trust and industrial policy in America.  References 1. “Is Capit...

Bryan Caplan - How Do We Fix The Housing Crisis?

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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-base...

Andrew Smith - Do Entrepreneurs Help Create Peace?

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Andrew Smith about capitalist peace theory and discusses a Canadian case study as an example of mutually beneficial exchange leading ...

Adam Gurri - What ls Mere Liberalism?

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Adam Gurri about how the large umbrella of liberalism under which a number of movements, systems of thought, and ideological identiti...

Chandran Kukathas - What’s Wrong With Immigration Control?

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Stephen Davies - What Is Global Catastrophic Risk?

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Steve Davies about the meaning of "Global Catastrophic Risk", and what it can reveal about how restructuring our understanding of big...

Dan Shahar - Is It Okay To Eat Meat?

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Dan Shahar about the ethical implications of meat-eating, activism in relation to problematic markets, and a tricky thought experimen...

Will Clare Roberts - What Was Marx’s Relation To Liberalism?

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Professor Will Clare Roberts about Marx's life, his liberal past, and the relationship between the Marxist and liberal conceptions of...

James Harrigan - What Does Pop Culture Say About A Society?

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Year in Review with Matt Bufton and Sabine El-Chidiac

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Curious Task Executive Producer Matt Bufton and Producer Sabine El-Chidiac about topics related to freedom from 2021, and reflect on ...

Tony Gill - Why Do We Give Gifts?

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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....

Lotta Stern - Is Classical Liberalism Important for Sociology?

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Lotta Stern about the tendency in sociology to overlook voluntary actions and associations as a means of addressing some of the large...

Bill Glod - Is It Okay To Make Bad Choices?

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Gary Chartier - Do Markets Need Capitalism?

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Gary Chartier about the varied ways in which the term "capitalism" is used today, the distinction between left-libertarianism and ana...

Ben Klutsey - How Do We Bridge Divides?

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Ben Klutsey about the political polarization that is endemic to American society today, and how novel attempts to bridge the divide a...

Jacob Levy - Why Is Montesquieu Important For Liberalism?

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Jacob Levy about Montesquieu's role in shaping contemporary political science, the American revolutionary project, and the role of th...

Geoff Kellow - Do Markets Promote Virtue?

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Geoff Kellow about the life and writings of Benjamin Franklin and whether they can help us better understand the connection between m...

Dan Smith - Can The Rule of Law Fix Monetary Problems?

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ans...

Bruce Caldwell - How Did The Mont Pelerin Society Begin?

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex speaks with Bruce Caldwell on the history of one of the world's most exclusive intellectual societies. References 1. “Hayek’s Challenge: An I...

Victor M. Muniz-Fraticelli - Is Monarchy Absurd?

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Maria Pia Paganelli - Why Read The Wealth of Nations?

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 surpr...

Emily Nacol — Is Politics Risky Business?

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ris...

Andrew Sabl — What Is Realist Liberalism?

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Michelle Schwarze — Should We Sympathize With Resentment?

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Stefan Kolev — What Is Ordoliberalism?

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Stefan Kolev as he tours through the origins of Ordoliberalism and some of its fundamental principles. References 1. When Lib...

Travis Smith — The Tyranny of Which Majority?

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Travis Smith as he explores some key insights from Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. References 1. “Superhero ...

Caroline Breashears — What Does Adam Smith Have To Do With Literature?

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Caroline Breashears as she explores concepts from Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments, and connects them to various chara...

Pete Boettke — Is A Better World Possible?

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Pete Boettke as he presents his thinking on whether the world needs more classical liberalism, and how understanding the prin...

James Otteson — What Are The Seven Deadly Sins of Economics?

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 thinkin...

Moshe Lander — Should Governments Build Stadiums?

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Moshe Lander about the supposed economic benefits of building sports and entertainment stadiums, and why those claims may not...

Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili — Does Self Governance Work?

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili as she tours through some of her findings from Afghanistan, how she found Hayek in Afghanistan, ...

Eric Schliesser — What Is Neoliberalism?

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Special Episode 2's celebration of 100 episodes, Curious Task host Alex Aragona pointed to Episode 60 with Eric Schliesser as one of his favourites...

Tom Palmer — War, What Is It Good For?

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Special Episode 2's celebration of 100 episodes, Curious Task producer Sabine El-Chidiac pointed to Episode 67 with Tom Palmer as one of her favour...

James Tooley — Is Low-Cost Private Education Possible?

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Special Episode 2, Matt Bufton pointed to The Curious Task Episode 77 with James Tooley as one of his favourites. If you haven't had a chance to li...

Celebrating 100 Episodes

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate reaching 100 episodes, host Alex Aragona, producer Sabine El-Chidiac, and executive producer Matt Bufton look back on the origins and gro...

Steve Horwitz — What Drives Progress?

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In honour of Steve Horwitz (1964-2021), we are re-releasing his conversation with Alex Aragona on what drives progress — a topic near and dear to St...

Tyler Cowen — Is Scarborough The Dining Capital of the World?

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tyler Cowen chats with Alex Aragona about all things food — great things to eat, where to find them, and how an economist gets lunch. References fro...

Aeon Skoble — Is Anarchy Relevant For Classical Liberalism?

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona peaks with Aeon Skoble as he outlines his ideas on what anarchism is, how we should think on it, and how it overlaps with classical liber...

Janet Bufton and Sarah Skwire — Why Tweet The Wealth of Nations?

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with SmithTweeters Janet Bufton and Sarah Skwire as they describe what drew them to the idea of reading through all of The Wealth ...

Anton Howes — What Powered Innovation In Britain?

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Anton Howes about when the sparks of innovation started in Britain, and what fanned the flames moving forward. References fro...

Bill Easterly — What Is The Tyranny of Experts?

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Easterly tours some of the concepts from his book The Tyranny of Experts, and explores why technocrats imposing their own form of economic develo...

Dennis Rasmussen — Did America Fail?

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Dennis Rasmussen about his findings on how the American Founding Fathers truly felt about the experiment they designed and bu...

Graeme Thompson — What Is Canadian Liberalism?

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about the classical liberal tradition in Canada, and what the evolution of that tradition has looked like. Re...

Jacob Levy — How Should Liberals Think of Social Injustice?

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jacob Levy gives a tour of his thoughts on the conversations surrounding social justice, and how liberals might consider the topic from the perspectiv...

Sandy Ikeda — What Would Jane Jacobs Do?

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In honour of her birthday, Sandy Ikeda explores the ideas of Jane Jacobs and reflects on how her thinking on urban centres is still relevant today. Re...

Terence Kealey — Should Government Fund Science?

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Terence Kealey speaks about the history of state involvement in funding science and technology, and why it may not be as good or innovative of an idea...

Nick Cowen — Should We Regulate Online Sex Work?

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Nick Cowen as he explores the current state of sex work regulation, and what approaches regulators could (and should) take wh...

Alex Salter — Did Central Banks Get COVID-19 Right?

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Salter dives into Federal Reserve policies during the pandemic, what it got right and wrong, and what the lasting impacts will be. References fro...

Dan Griswold & Sabine El-Chidiac — What Should Immigration Policy Look Like After The Pandemic?

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dan and Sabine discuss their newest policy brief with the Mercatus Center, and what changes they'd like to see to Canadian and American immigration po...

Bas van der Vossen — Who Owns Your Labour?

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona explores standard readings of Lockean property rights theories with Bas van der Vossen, and then explore Bas' idea on what might be missi...

Matt Warner — What's Wrong With Foreign Aid?

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Matt Warner as he explores the dilemma that outsiders face when trying to do good for others, and why local knowledge is so i...

Paul Robinson — Is Russia a Threat to Democracy?

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Paul Robinson about whether Russia is trying to meddle with Western democracy, and if he thinks the recommended solutions mig...

Scott Scheall — What Is The Fundamental Problem of Political Life?

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Scott Scheall as he explores how the knowledge problem and other epistemological considerations must be considered before pol...

Shikha Dalmia — How Does Minority Activism Help Stop Authoritarianism?

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Shikha Dalmia about minority groups as defenders of rights and freedoms, and the North American libertarian movement during a...

Art Carden — Why Are We Rich?

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona chats with Art Carden as he explains the kind of deal we need to make if we want to see great prosperity. References from Episode 82 with...

Erik Kimbrough — What Influences Our Choices?

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Erik Kimbrough as he explores the role social norms, groups, and other factors play in our decision making processes. Referen...

Ross Emmett and Steve Slivinski — What Policies Hurt Business?

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona chats with Ross Emmett and Steve Slivinski as they explore the policies that can hurt businesses, and their work on the Doing Business No...

Peter Jaworski — What Is Libertarianism?

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Peter Jaworski as he explores his definition of libertarianism, and how different kinds of morality can lead to certain concl...

Sandra Peart — What Can We Learn From John Stuart Mill?

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Sandra Peart as she traces the life of John Stuart Mill and explores some of the key pillars of his thinking. References from...

James Tooley — Is Low-Cost Private Education Possible?

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with James Tooley as he retells some of his experiences discovering quality private education solutions in poorer communities, and...

Steve Horwitz — What Drives Progress?

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Clark Neily — How Can America's Policing Problem Be Fixed?

06 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Matt Bufton and Sabine El-Chidiac — What Was 2020 Like For Liberalism?

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 yea...

Mike Tanner — Why Does Poverty Persist?

23 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Mike Tanner as he explores the factors that contribute to the persistence of poverty, and different policy recommendations th...

Janet Bufton — Are Libertarians Liberals?

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 li...

David Skarbek — How Do Prisoners Govern?

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with David Skarbek as he explores the different governance structures that prisoners live under and create in prisons around the w...

Mustafa Akyol — How Free Is The Muslim World?

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Mustafa Akyol as he explores whether Islam can be compatible with liberalism, and his recent research on freedom in Muslim-ma...

Kevin Vallier — Can Polarization Be Reversed?

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Kevin Vallier as he explores the different tenets of political and social polarization, and whether the divisions we're seein...

Sabine El-Chidiac — What Helps Refugees Succeed?

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Sabine El-Chidiac as she explores the different ways civil society solutions help refugees succeed when they move to their ne...

Tom Palmer — War, What Is It Good For?

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Tom Palmer as he explores the institutions and conditions that cause peace and war. References from Episode 67 with Tom Palme...

Virginia Postrel — How Do Textiles Shape Society?

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Virginia Postrel as she explores how her newest book traces how textiles shaped our modern societies. References from Episode...

Eric Merkley — Why Don't We Trust The Experts?

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Eric Merkley as he explores the reasons why the public often mistrusts experts. References from Episode 65 with Eric Merkley ...

Bart Wilson — Is The Idea of Property Universal?

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Bart Wilson as he explores the natural tendencies of humans in relation to their views and attitudes on property. References ...

Michael Strong — Can Entrepreneurship Solve The World's Problems?

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Michael Strong as he explores how entrepreneurship improves the lives of people all over the world.  References 1. “Be the...

Cara Zwibel — Can We Maintain Civil Liberties During a Pandemic?

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, an...

Bryan Caplan — What's a University Degree Worth?

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Bryan Caplan about the value of a formal education, and compares the alleged benefits against the reality. References from Ep...

Eric Schliesser — What Is Neoliberalism?

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Eric Schliesser as he explores the history of the term "neoliberalism," its eventual evolution, and what neoliberalism means ...

Lynne Kiesling — Can Markets Restructure Energy?

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Matt Ridley — How Does Innovation Flourish?

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Matt Ridley as he explores the nature of innovation and the conditions that enable it to flourish. References 1. Mind & M...

Terry Anderson — How Can We Unlock The Wealth of Indigenous Nations?

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Diana Thomas — Why Is Childcare So Expensive?

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Diana Thomas as she explores the factors that play into increasing childcare costs, and some potential solutions to the probl...

Vincent Geloso — Are Anarcho-Capitalists Insane?

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Vincent Geloso as he explores anarcho-capitalist economic concepts and whether there are real life examples to back them up. ...

Dan Griswold — Can You Win a Trade War?

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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....

Kerry McDonald — Do We Need Schooling Alternatives?

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author of 'Unschooled' Kerry McDonald joins Alex Aragona to talk about how choice in education can allow children to lead happier and more fulfilled l...

Nimish Adhia — Did Bollywood Liberalize India?

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Nimish Adhia as he explores how Bollywood films traced cultural changes in India, and how the films themselves directly affec...

Malcolm Lavoie — Why Are Property Rights So Important?

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Aragona speaks with Malcolm Lavoie about the importance of property rights to decentralization and the use of resources, and discusses how FA Hay...