#CatoConnects: Freedom in the 50 States

#CatoConnects: Freedom in the 50 States

Author: Cato Institute August 23, 2018 Duration: 27:44

Which state is the freest, and what does it mean to be free? Which state has the most heavily taxed and regulated economy? Which state has the best protections for personal freedom? Where does your state rank? Is it among the freest or most coercive?

In this special Cato Connects, Freedom in the 50 States authors William P. Ruger and Jason Sorens discuss the data on more than 230 variables to measure freedom now and in the past. They go beyond describing policies and analyze why some states have smaller and better governments.

The 2018 edition of Freedom in the 50 States presents an updated ranking of the American states based on how their policies promote fiscal, regulatory, and personal freedom. Freedom in the 50 States is an essential work for anyone interested in state policies and in advancing a better understanding of a free society.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Step inside the Cato Institute's renowned Washington, D.C. events without leaving your desk. The Cato Event Podcast brings the lecture hall and briefing room directly to you, featuring unfiltered audio from live policy forums, author discussions, and Capitol Hill briefings. Each episode captures the substance of these gatherings, where scholars, policymakers, and leading thinkers engage in detailed conversations about liberty, governance, and current affairs. You'll hear substantive debates and thoughtful commentary that cut through the noise of daily headlines, offering deeper analysis on the issues shaping legislation and public discourse. This isn't a produced studio show; it's a front-row seat to the kind of candid exchanges that happen when experts gather to challenge conventional wisdom. The Cato Institute, through this podcast, provides a direct conduit to these discussions, emphasizing a perspective rooted in individual freedom, limited government, and free markets. Tune in for a raw, intellectual experience that goes beyond soundbites, perfect for anyone who wants to understand the foundational ideas behind today's political news.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 102

Cato Event Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Narconomics: How to Run a Drug Cartel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:46
Drug trafficking is one of the most resilient and lucrative industries in the world, with estimated revenues of $300 billion a year. Despite the tens of billions of dollars that governments spend every year trying to dis…
Quantitative Easing: A Requiem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:38
In an effort to combat the Great Recession, the Federal Reserve embarked on an unprecedented program of quantitative easing (QE) — the large-scale purchase of financial assets using freshly created money. The idea was to…
Is the European Union a Friend or Foe of Economic Freedom? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:42
In the past, the European Union was seen as a force for economic liberalization. Brussels broke down many barriers to the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. As such, the EU was credited with growing p…
From "No Child" to "Every Student": How Big a Change? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:21
The No Child Left Behind Act, with its rules about everything from teacher qualifications to school interventions, has finally been replaced. What took so long? Finally getting the left and right to agree that Washington…
Derivatives: Weapons of Mass Destruction or Tools of Stability? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:24
Derivatives have been called “weapons of mass destruction” and have been accused of not only magnifying but also causing the recent financial crisis. In the wake of the crisis, many called for increased regulation of the…
Cornerstone of Liberty: Property Rights in 21st-Century America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:11
In 1792 James Madison, the principal author of the Constitution, wrote that “Government is instituted to protect property of every sort.” But from the 20th century on the Supreme Court has upheld one inroad after another…
The Promise and Pitfalls of Economic Sanctions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:36
Economic sanctions have become a key component of the U.S. response to any crisis. Indeed, the Obama administration has imposed sanctions on countries as diverse as Russia, Iran, and Egypt, drawing on the strength and gl…
Air Traffic Control: Bipartisan Reform in 2016? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:38
With the Federal Aviation Administration’s authorization expiring in March, aviation experts are urging Congress to overhaul our air traffic control (ATC) system. The system suffers from uncertain funding, is bogged down…
The Libertarian State of the Union [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:50
In his final State of the Union address, President Obama hinted at plans for his last year in office, which included efforts to further regulate the economy as a means of addressing policy issues like climate change and…