Cato Institute Policy Perspectives 2024 - Keynote Conversation

Globalization has come under fire over the past two decades as the world has lived through an international financial crisis, terrorist attacks, a pandemic, and the return of war in Europe. Johan will discuss why, despite such turmoil, the free market has still made the past 20 years the best time in human history by almost any measure of well‐​being Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cato Institute President and CEO Peter Goettler will share the opportunities we see to bring liberty to new audiences, and Allan Carey will join Peter to discuss the importance of restoring viewpoint diversity with educators nationwide through Sphere Education Initiatives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In October 2022, the White House released its 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, laying out the Biden administration’s nuclear strategy. Perhaps the most controversial policy change in the report was the cancellation of the sea‐​launched nuclear cruise missile (SLCM‑N), which was introduced in the 2018 review. Less than two years after the cancellation, Congress reversed the program’s course once again by establishing the SLCM‑N as a program of record through the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.Supporters argue that growing nuclear threats make the SLCM‑N more important now than ever. Opponents point to the opportunity costs of adding yet another weapon system to an already stressed nuclear modernization plan. What should be the future of this highly contested program?Please join the Cato Institute as we explore the benefits and opportunity costs of adding the SLCM‑N to the US nuclear arsenal. Cato’s Eric Gomez and the Atlantic Council’s Robert Soofer will examine the potential role of the SLCM‑N in the US nuclear arsenal, provide an overview of the cases for and against it, and allow participants an opportunity to engage in the discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are housing prices in America so high? “Supply and demand” is true but misleading, because draconian regulation drastically constricts housing supply. In this exciting new nonfiction graphic novel, economist Bryan Caplan makes the economic and philosophical case for radical deregulation of the housing industry. Deregulation turns out to be a bona fide panacea: a large rise in housing supply would raise living standards, reduce inequality, increase social mobility, promote economic growth, reduce homelessness, increase birth rates, help the environment, and more. Combining stunning visuals and careful interdisciplinary research, Build, Baby, Build takes readers to a world where people are free to build―and shows us how to get there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is increasingly difficult for patients to access health care clinicians, especially in rural and underserved areas. Not enough clinicians are entering the workforce to replace those quitting or retiring while the US population is growing and aging. The average wait for a first‐​time doctor’s appointment is 26 days. Yet, state licensing laws prevent experienced international medical graduates (IMGs) who migrate to the United States from offering their services to residents. Unlike many other developed countries, American states require IMGs to repeat their residency training in accredited US programs – convincing many IMGs to not practice medicine. Several states are reforming their licensing laws to remove obstacles preventing IMGs from practicing medicine, but not without controversy.Join Jonathan Wolfson, Chief Legal Officer and Policy Director at the Cicero Institute, Maqbool Halepota, MD, FACP, Medical Director at Palo Verde Cancer Center‐​Scottsdale, and Lisa Robin, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Federation of State Medical Boards, for a discussion of the issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drawing on his TedX Talk on the same subject, and using vivid imagery from India, Prashant Narang will explain the trajectory of the fight for economic freedom in Indian courts and lessons that may help litigators restore judicial protection in America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ethan Blevins, Skylar Croy, and Joshua Polk discuss the threat posed by the composition of licensing bodies, and ways that entrepreneurs can change the system. Moderated by Clark Neily Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timothy Sandefur and Anthony Sanders discuss their experiences litigating in state courts and new ways for bringing back economic freedom at the state level. Moderated by Anastasia Boden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is leading the tech conversation for “accelerationists,” “doomers,” and everyone in between. From the Biden administration’s executive order on AI to dozens of bills being discussed on Capitol Hill, policymakers are looking to exert influence over AI, just as AI is poised to extend its impact on our world.Data privacy, cybersecurity, financial opportunity, election integrity, and economic growth are just some of the policy issues implicated by recent advances in generative AI and deep learning.Yet new technology, however transformative, does not mean we should abandon long‐​standing policy principles that have served America well. Join us for a wide‐​ranging conversation on AI, tech policy, and the future of American innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All US states and territories maintain a high barrier to entry that dissuades students from entering the accounting profession—the requirement that CPAs complete 150 credit hours of academic study in addition to passing an exam. This unnecessary requirement contributes to the current shortage of accountants, delaying the completion of state and local government financial audits and thus inhibiting the public’s ability to hold governments accountable.Speakers will discuss alternative paths to certification, including reforms to the 150‐​hour rule and competitive accounting certification bodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.