PODCAST

The Curious Task

Institute for Liberal Studies

We explore philosophy, politics, economics, and other ideas from a classical liberal perspective.

education social sciences

All Episodes

65:12

Seth Kaplan - Why Are Neighbourhoods Important?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/24

In this coversation from 2023, Matt speaks with Seth Kaplan about his book Fragile Neighborhoods, and why a decision as simple as where we choose to live can often make the difference between lives of prosperity and lives of uncertainty and strife. Seth's book can be ordered here: https://a.co/d/aqUzRny

73:49

Andrew Coyne - Why Is Canadian Democracy In Crisis?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/17

In this episode, Alex speaks with journalist and author Andrew Coyne about why Canadian democracy is in crisis. Drawing from his book The Crisis of Canadian Democracy, Coyne explains how the concentration of power in the Prime Minister’s Office, the erosion of cabinet and caucus independence, and the iron grip of party discipline have hollowed out Parliament. They explore electoral reform, regional alienation, and voter disengagement, and discuss why Canada’s institutions now fail to hold leaders

58:42

Tyler Cowen - Who Is The Greatest Economist Of All Time?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/10

In this conversation from 2024,Matt speaks with Tyler Cowen about his recent book "GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of all Time and Why Does it Matter?", as they discuss the case for and against each of the top finalists, and the interactive AI features that Tyler has integrated into the book's online release. Episode Notes: The full book plus all interactive AI features can be found for free here: https://goatgreatesteconomistofalltime.ai/en

56:42

Aaron Powell - Is Fusionism Dead?

The Curious Task ·

2025/09/03

In this episode from 2022, 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. References 1. Free Thoughts Podcast Link: https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts 2. ReImagining Liberty Podcast Link: https://www.reimaginingliberty.com/podcast/ 3. “After protests, Disney CEO speaks out against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill” by Elizabeth

50:32

Mike Munger - What Is The Difference Between...

The Curious Task ·

2025/08/27

In this conversation from 2023, Alex and Mike Munger discuss two strains of thought within the liberty movement - one concerned with philosophical purity and cohesion, the other with advancement towards a common ideal of greater freedom for all. Episode Notes: Mike's article "The Right Kind of Nothing": https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-right-kind-of-nothing/ An introduction to Coasian bargaining: http://www.ejolt.org/2015/09/coasian-bargaining-2/ The Piece commissioned by Leonard Read by

01:05:56

Pete Boettke - Is Hayek Still Relevant?

The Curious Task ·

2025/08/20

In this conversation from 2023, Alex speaks with Pete Boettke about the relevancy of Friedrich Hayek in the contemporary context, what it means to be a "Hayekian" and the curious tale of how Hayek came to be the focus of his latest book "F. A. Hayek: Economics, Political Economy and Social Philosophy"Episode Notes Pete’s book “F. A. Hayek: Economics, Political Economy and Social Philosophy“ https://a.co/d/ah7SpwW Hayek on The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

47:04

Robert Poole - What's Wrong With America's Highways?

The Curious Task ·

2025/08/13

In this episode, Alex speaks with transportation policy expert Robert Poole about his book Rethinking America’s Highways. Poole makes the case for replacing the current tax-funded, politically managed highway system with a customer-focused, market-based model. He outlines how tolling, public-private partnerships, and long-term concessions can improve infrastructure, reduce congestion, and provide sustainable funding. The discussion examines lessons from international examples, the political and

01:09:24

Kevin Vallier - What Are The New Religious Threats To...

The Curious Task ·

2025/08/06

In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with Kevin Vallier about his new book "All The Kingdoms Of The World", in which he takes a global view of anti-liberal integralist strands in political thought and warns of the consequences of following them toward a rejection of liberal freedom and democracy. Episode Notes: The conversation focuses primarily on Kevin’s book: https://www.kevinvallier.com/books/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world-radical-religious-alternatives-liberalism/ Introduction to

01:04:08

Brian Dijkema - Did Liberalism Fail?

The Curious Task ·

2025/07/30

In this episode, Matt speaks with Brian Dijkema of Cardus, about the moral limits of modern liberalism. Dijkema argues that while classical liberalism emerged from a tradition concerned with virtue and the common good, today’s liberalism often treats neutrality and technocratic governance as ends in themselves. They discuss the work of classical liberal theorists, Rawls' liberal vision, the legacy of Christian social thought, and how institutional renewal requires more than procedural fairness but

59:01

Chandran Kukathas - What’s Wrong With Immigration...

The Curious Task ·

2025/07/23

In this episode from 2022, 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 immigrant is itself unclear.References 1. “Immigration and Freedom” by Chandran Kukathas Link: https://www.amazon.com/Immigration-Freedom-Chandran-Kukathas/dp/0691189684

01:19:44

Pete Boettke — What Is The Curious Task of Economics?

The Curious Task ·

2025/07/16

In this conversation from 2020, Alex Aragona chats with Pete Boettke as he dives into what the curious task of economics is and relates it back to the work of Friedrich Hayek.References from Episode 40 with Pete Boettke You can purchase Pete Boettke’s book on F.A. Hayek on Amazon Canada here Check out Pete Boettke’s economics blog here

48:42

Bruce Pardy - Freedom Or Virtue?

The Curious Task ·

2025/07/09

In this episode, Matt speaks with legal scholar Bruce Pardy about the deep tension between freedom and virtue. Pardy argues that “freedom people” - classical liberals and libertarians - see virtue as something that can only emerge when individuals are free to choose, while “virtue people” believe virtue must come first, even if enforced by the state. They explore the limits of state neutrality, city planning, drug policy, and the rise of authoritarian instincts across both the right and the left

01:10:32

Ben Woodfinden - What Is Canadian Conservatism?

The Curious Task ·

2025/07/02

In this episode, Alex speaks with political theorist Ben Woodfinden about the meaning and complexity of Canadian conservatism. Drawing on his essay “A Tory Impulse and Anti-Laurentian Ideas Drive Canadian Conservatism”, Woodfinden explains why conservatism in Canada is not a single rigid doctrine but a pluralistic network of regionally rooted traditions — from prairie populism and Western anti-elitism to Ontario’s old Toryism and Quebec’s nationalist strands. They unpack Canada’s unique

53:50

Jacob Levy - Is Liberalism Neutral?

The Curious Task ·

2025/06/25

In this conversation from 2023, Alex speaks with Professor Jacob Levy about the concept of neutrality within the history of liberalism and how many historical thinkers have approached the subject within that tradition. Episode Notes: Michael Oakeshott on “adverbial rules” https://lawliberty.org/forum/michael-oakeshott-on-the-rule-of-law-and-the-liberal-order/ John Locke’s religious beliefs https://rb.gy/1yg43 Heresy of Americanism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americanism_(heresy) Deirdre

46:18

Bill Wirtz - Why Do Governments Hate Fun?

The Curious Task ·

2025/06/18

Episode Summary:Matt Bufton is joined by Bill Wirtz of the Consumer Choice Centre to explore why governments often crack down on fun—from drinking and smoking to gambling and vaping. They dive into the cultural and political roots of paternalistic policies, how public health rhetoric masks deeper control impulses, and why Canada offers a revealing case study in state-imposed virtue. Wirtz also highlights how prohibitionist instincts persist even when evidence contradicts their

01:06:20

Marc-William Palen - Were There Left-Wing Visions of...

The Curious Task ·

2025/06/11

In this conversation from 2024, Alex speaks with Marc-William Palen about the evolution of left-wing visions of free trade from the mid-19th century through the Cold War, highlighting key movements and figures like the Anti-Corn Law League, Karl Marx, and the Fair Trade movement, and contrasting these with protectionist and imperialist policies of the era.Episode Notes: Marc-William's book "Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World":

01:03:14

Russ Roberts - What’s Wrong With Education?

The Curious Task ·

2025/06/04

In this conversation from 2022, 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 conjunction with this week's episode of Econtalk. References 1. The Center for Experiential Learning at Washington

01:03:32

David Friedman - What Is Anarcho-Capitalism?

The Curious Task ·

2025/05/28

In this episode from 2023, Alex speaks with David Friedman about defenses, definitions and critiques of Anarcho-Capitalism in David's work and in others'. Episode Notes: - Summary of David's book "The Machinery of Freedom" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Machinery_of_Freedom - Some of Ayn Rand's views on Libertarianism and Anarcho-Capitalism: http://aynrandlexicon.com/ayn-rand-ideas/ayn-rand-q-on-a-on-libertarianism.html - Some of David's comments on his Father's views of his work can be found

56:12

Mike Munger - Can Classical Liberalism Be Saved?

The Curious Task ·

2025/05/21

In this conversation from 2023, Alex speaks with Mike Munger about the state of classical liberalism in an era in which conservatism seems intent on wielding the tools of central planning and the left prefers the term "progressive" to "liberal".Episode Notes: The Classical Liberal Diaspora by Mike Munger: https://t.co/xoRnPIUXXi The Articles of Confederation: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Articles-of-Confederation Preamble to the United States constitution:

36:36

James Tooley and Robyn Mulcahy - Why Do Families...

The Curious Task ·

2025/05/14

In a special episode of the Curious Task, Matt sits down with James Tooley and Robyn Mulcahy at Blueberry Creek Forest School and Nature Centre to discuss the benefits of private education, outdoor education programs including forest schools and the history of approaches around the globe that strive to offer students a more well-rounded alternative to government schools. References: James’ profile at the University of

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