Cato Daily Podcast

What does the case of Peru have to teach us about state capacity to foster (or hamper) human flourishing? Edwar Escalante of Angelo State University discusses the upsides and downsides of increasing state capacity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Heroes Act was insufficient authority for the President to cancel massive amounts of student debt. The Biden White House has instead been moving to cancel (transfer) smaller amounts of student debt using different executive authority. Neal McCluskey explains the issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former President Trump's lawyers argued before the US Supreme Court that the President ought to be broadly immune against misdeeds committed in office, even many that are clearly criminal. The Supreme Court is now weighing where to draw the lines both for this former President and future former Presidents. Clark Neily discusses the oral argument at the high court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economics is everywhere, and its implications are subtle and beautiful. The essays in Art Carden's book, Strangers with Candy, uses both economic and biblical insight to show how welcoming strangers can make us both better and wealthier people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a point when Cato's Patrick Eddington believed warrantless snooping on Americans might be on the wane. He was very wrong. Congress instead voted to continue unconstitutional surveillance of Americans for at least two more years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North Carolina's pursuit of VinFast to make electric vehicles in the state has placed dozens of homeowners in a difficult spot. Paul Best explains how economic development ran headlong into homeowners' property rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are two avenues to fixing a big issue with federal appointments, that of individuals not confirmed by Congress nonetheless wielding significant federal power. Tommy Berry explains the problem and the solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Housing plays a large role in growing wealth for Americans, but it remains an area where economist Jeremy Horpedahl is pessimistic for the near term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Federal budget deficits are projected to remain alarmingly high for many years to come, but as Cato's Ryan Bourne notes, things that can't go on ... don't. His new paper on debt, spending, and fiscal crisis is available today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When countries impose tariffs, that begins a chain reaction that frequently doesn't end in the outcomes preferred by tariff advocates. Erica York of the Tax Foundation separates fact from fiction on tariffs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bitcoin miners are under the microscope for what some call "parasitic" consumption of energy, but is distaste for some consumers of electricy enough to make it harder for them to buy it? Cato's Nick Anthony and Travis Fisher explain the implications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Income taxes are on pace to increase on virtually all Americans in 2026. Cato's Adam Michel has some reforms in mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been 45 years since the US made certain promises to Taiwan in the form of the Taiwan Relations Act, so what exactly has the US committed to provide? Eric Gomez discusses the strategic ambiguity of those American promises. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human freedom and prosperity go together, but what does that look like specifically? Cato adjunct John Early explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would a tax on unrealized income produce big dividends for Americans? Economic historian Phil Magness says the predicted revenues wouldn't materialize. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US continues to provide Israel with roughly $3.8 billion annually in addition to other arms deals and security benefits. What exactly the United States gets in return for this relationship remains unclear. Jon Hoffman explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are several ways the Securities and Exchange Commission could be reformed to make the agency more welcoming to regulatory comments, align its actions with statutory authority, and follow proper administrative procedures. Jennifer Schulp explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amid the shifting ideological commitments among the voting public, how welcoming will voters be toward more liberty-friendly ideas? Stephanie Slade of Reason comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Separating credible election reforms from those born of conspiracy theories is a valuable task, especially when some current proposed reforms threaten to make elections slower, less efficient, and less secure. Walter Olson provides details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If markets demand parking, it will largely be provided. In so many cases, however, it's governments setting the rules for how much parking must be provided for new housing or commercial ventures. Requiring all that parking raises costs and make lots of unique development unaffordable. Author M. Nolan Gray explains why markets are generally far better at setting the right mix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.