The Curious Task

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

In this conversation from 2022, Alex speaks with Jason Lee Byas about the complexities of responding to questions of historic injustice, reparations, and compensation within a libertarian framework. 

References

1. Articles by Jason Lee Byas, Center for a Stateless Society 

Link: https://c4ss.org/content/author/jason-byas 

2. “Rectification and Historic Injustice” by Jason Lee Byas

Link: https://philpapers.org/archive/BYARAH.pdf 

3. “A Black Commons: A Framework for Recognition, Reconciliation, and Reparations” by Julian Agyeman and Kofi Boone 

Link: https://www.academia.edu/113180745/The_Black_CommonsA_Framework_for_Recognition_Reconciliation_Reparations 

4. “Compensation for Historic Injustices: Completing the Boxill and Sher Argument” by Andrew I. Cohen

Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40212837.pdf 

5. “Should Race Matter?: Unusual Answers to the Usual Questions” by David Boonin

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Should-Race-Matter-Unusual-Questions/dp/0521149800 

6. “The Ethics of Liberty” by Murray N. Rothbard

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Ethics-Liberty-Murray-N-Rothbard/dp/0814775594 

7. “Historical Rights and Fair Shares” by A. John Simmons

Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3505011 

8. “The Multiculturalism of Fear” by Jacob Levy

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Multiculturalism-Fear-Jacob-T-Levy/dp/0198297122 

9. “Apologies and Moral Repair: Rights, Duties, and Corrective Justice” by Andrew I. Cohen

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Apologies-Moral-Repair-Corrective-Justice/dp/0367508036

Seth Kaplan - Why Are Neighbourhoods Important?

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 

Andrew Coyne - Why Is Canadian Democracy In Crisis?

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 accountable. Coyne argues that the issue is systemic: a slow but steady weakening of democratic norms that requires serious institutional repair if Canadian democracy is to endure.

References

The Crisis of Canadian Democracy — Andrew Coyne
https://a.co/d/49B2UrX

Andrew Coyne — Columns (The Globe and Mail)
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/andrew-coyne/

Canada’s Democracy Is in Crisis: Andrew Coyne on GCD #3 — Macdonald-Laurier Institute
https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/canadas-democracy-is-in-crisis-andrew-coyne-on-gcd-3-in-the-post/

Q&A: MPs ‘Utterly Subservient’ to Leaders — Coyne on Reforming Canada’s Democratic System — The Hill Times
https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/06/26/qa-mps-utterly-subservient-to-leaders-says-andrew-coyne-who-proposes-a-path-away-from-that-anti-democratic-system/465123/

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Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.
To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

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

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 

 

Aaron Powell - Is Fusionism Dead?

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 Blair

Link: https://www.npr.org/2022/03/08/1085130633/disney-response-florida-bill-dont-say-gay 

4. “An Introduction to Marxism for Non-Marxists” ReImagined Podcast Episode 

Link: https://www.reimaginingliberty.com/an-introduction-to-marxism-for-non-marxists-w-ian-bennett/

Mike Munger - What Is The Difference Between Directionalism and Destinationism?

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 Milton Friedman and George Stigler on Rent Control:

https://fee.org/resources/roofs-or-ceilings-the-current-housing-problem/ 

Mike Munger's piece "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things"

https://www.aier.org/article/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-directionalists-vs-destinationists/ 

James Buchanan on Relatively Absolute Absolutes

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11127-021-00883-0 

Pete Boettke - Is Hayek Still Relevant?

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 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/friedrich-hayek/ 
• Introduction to Hayek’s “Road to Serfdom” https://mises.org/library/road-serfdom-0 
• Murray Rothbard’s “Man, Economy and State” retrospective https://fee.org/articles/rothbards-man-economy-and-state-at-50/ 
• Milton Friedman’s “Free To Choose” https://www.proglocode.unam.mx/sites/proglocode.unam.mx/files/docencia/Milton%20y%20Rose%20Friedman%20-%20Free%20to%20Choose.pdf 
• Hayek “Prices and Production” https://mises.org/library/prices-and-production-and-other-works 
• Introduction to economics of Lucas https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Lucas.html 
• Steve Horowitz on Hayek https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5dR0zgC1ZI 
• Herbert Dreyfuss “What Computers Can’t Do” https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262540674/what-computers-still-cant-do/ 
• Horowitz quote on Hayek “we have to learn to live in two worlds at once” https://www.jstor.org/stable/41560288 
• Hayek’s “The Fatal Conceit” https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/F/bo3643985.html 
• Kenneth Boulding “After Samuelson, Who Needs Adam Smith?” https://read.dukeupress.edu/hope/article-abstract/3/2/225/12381/After-Samuelson-Who-Needs-Adam-Smith
  • “The Extended Present” (concept) https://medium.com/extended-present/about 
• The “Grapes vs. Cucumbers as pay for Monkeys” experiment (youtube video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meiU6TxysCg 
• The Constitution of Liberty - Hayek https://www.mises.at/static/literatur/Buch/hayek-the-constitution-of-liberty.pdf 
• Chandran Kukathas’ Liberal Archipelago https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-liberal-archipelago-9780199219209?cc=ca&lang=en& 
• Kind vs. Wicked learning environments. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/experience-studio/202007/experience-kind-vs-wicked 

 

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

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 technical barriers to reform, and why a shift in mindset is essential for meeting America’s future mobility needs.

References

Rethinking America’s Highways — Robert Poole
https://a.co/d/1gu8lWE

Robert Poole — Reason Foundation Profile
https://reason.org/author/robert-poole/

Modernizing the Interstate Highway System via Toll Finance — Robert Poole (Reason Foundation)
https://reason.org/policy-study/modernizing-the-interstate-highway/

Funding & Finance — Eno Center for Transportation
https://enotrans.org/topics/funding-finance/

The Big Roads — Earl Swift
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-big-roads

Infrastructure Economics and Policy: International Perspectives — José A. Gómez-Ibáñez & Zhi Liu (eds.)
https://www.booktopia.com.au/infrastructure-economics-and-policy-jose-a-gomez-ibanez/book/9781558444188.html

Thanks to Our Patrons

Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.
To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

Kevin Vallier - What Are The New Religious Threats To Liberalism?

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 Catholic Political Integralism: 
  • https://thejosias.com/ 
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integralism 
• Introduction to islamic political anti-liberalism 
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamism 
• “The Confucian Tradition and Politics” Youngmin Kim, Ha-Kyoung Lee and Seongun Park https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.991

Brian Dijkema - Did Liberalism Fail?

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 rather a shared vision of the good.

References:

Brian Dijkema — Profile (Cardus)
https://www.cardus.ca/personnel/brian-dijkema/

“Liberty, Equality, … Disintegration?” — Patrick Deneen in conversation with Brian Dijkema
https://comment.org/liberty-equality-disintegration/

“Labor’s Conservative Heart” — Brian Dijkema (American Compass)
https://americancompass.org/labors-conservative-heart/

Why Liberalism Failed — Patrick Deneen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Liberalism_Failed

“The Ethics of Attention in an Age of Distraction” — Brian Dijkema
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1146&context=icctej

Brian Dijkema — Contributor Archive (Convivium)
https://www.convivium.ca/writers/bio/bdijkema/page/2/

Brian Dijkema — Articles at Comment Magazine
https://comment.org/contributors/brian-dijkema/

“The Classical Liberal Diaspora” — Michael C. Munger
https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/items/513d2184-ca95-4508-b4ef-f137a03b32f0

 

Thanks to Our Patrons
Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.
To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

 

Chandran Kukathas - What’s Wrong With Immigration Control?

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

 

Pete Boettke — What Is The Curious Task of Economics?

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

Bruce Pardy - Freedom Or Virtue?

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. Pardy explains why a truly free society is risky - and why that risk is necessary for genuine virtue and responsibility.

References:

• “Freedom and Virtue: Friends or Enemies?” — Bruce Pardy (Brownstone Institute)
  https://brownstone.org/articles/freedom-and-virtue-friends-or-enemies/

• Bruce Pardy — Profile (Fraser Institute)
  https://www.fraserinstitute.org/profile/bruce-pardy

• Bruce Pardy — Author Page (The Epoch Times)
  https://www.theepochtimes.com/author/bruce-pardy

• The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek
  https://a.co/d/cp4rlD5

• The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper
  https://a.co/d/iVwmVvs

Thanks to Our Patrons including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

 

Ben Woodfinden - What Is Canadian Conservatism?

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 confederation story, the idea of the Laurentian elite, and how any coherent conservatism must remain a coalition rooted in local distinctiveness and historical context.

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References

• “A Tory Impulse and Anti-Laurentian Ideas Drive Canadian Conservatism” – Ben Woodfinden (The Hub)
  https://thehub.ca/2022/08/17/ben-woodfinden-a-tory-impulse-and-anti-laurentian-ideas-drive-canadian-conservatism/

• “Canada’s aspiring populists aren’t actually all that radical” – Ben Woodfinden (The Hub)
  https://thehub.ca/2022/05/27/canadas-aspiring-populists-arent-actually-all-that-radical/ 

• “King Charles III and the glorious weirdness of Canada's monarchy” – Ben Woodfinden 
  https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ben-woodfinden-king-charles-iii-and-the-glorious-weirdness-of-canadas-monarchy 

• Ben's contributions to The Hub
  https://thehub.ca/author/benwoodfinden/ 

• “Lament for a Nation: The Defeat of Canadian Nationalism” by George Grant
  https://a.co/d/d0NQs95 

• “The Crooked Timber of Humanity” by Isaiah Berlin
  https://a.co/d/6l1wq3d 
  
  

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Thanks to Our Patrons
Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:
https://patreon.com/curioustask

Jacob Levy - Is Liberalism Neutral?

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 McCloskey’s Bourgeois Virtues Thesis https://www.deirdremccloskey.com/docs/bv_selection.pdf 
• Ronald Dworkin “Liberalism” https://www.scribd.com/document/313373358/Ronald-Dworkin-Liberalism# 
• Stephanie Slade, "Must Libertarians Care About More Than the State?" https://reason.com/2022/03/19/two-libertarianisms/ 
• Alexis De Toqueville’s concerns about the rising liberal democratic order https://www.economist.com/schools-brief/2018/08/09/de-tocqueville-and-the-french-exception 
• John Stuart Mill “On Liberty” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty 

Bill Wirtz - Why Do Governments Hate Fun?

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 effectiveness.

References

“Children Are the Future: Authoritarianism, Culture War and Making Model Citizens” by Alan Elrod
https://www.liberalcurrents.com/children-are-the-future-authoritarianism-culture-war-and-making-model-citizens/

That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen by Frédéric Bastiat
https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/bastiat-selected-essays-on-political-economy#lf0181_head_009

The Fun Police – Podcast Series by Bill Wirtz
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fun-police/id1714265675

World Health Organization – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
https://fctc.who.int/

Milton Friedman’s “Free to Choose” (PBS Series)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dngqR9gcDDw&list=PLt27lKoC5LS4wbD28Jkv95UUm9H7wbVO4

Thanks to Our Patrons

Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:
https://patreon.com/curioustask

Marc-William Palen - Were There Left-Wing Visions of Free Trade?

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": https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691199320/pax-economica 

Marx on Free Trade:

https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1888/free-trade/#:~:text=Only%20under%20Free%20Trade%20can,%2C%20wage%2Dlaborers%20there%3B%20hereditary 

The Eric Schliesser episode of the Curious Task mentioned by Alex: https://thecurioustask.podbean.com/e/special-episode-5-eric-schliesser-%e2%80%94-what-is-neoliberalism/ 

Journal of Liberal History's summary of the history of the Anti-Corn Law League:

https://liberalhistory.org.uk/history/anti-corn-law-league/ 

Overview of the history of the Opium Wars:

https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/learning-module/opium-wars-china#:~:text=The%20Opium%20Wars%20in%20the,China%20lost%20both%20wars. 

A primer on the origins of Fair Trade and the Haslemere Declaration: 

https://imperialglobalexeter.com/2018/05/03/what-fair-trade-was-originally-about-the-haslemere-declaration-of-1968/ 

Russ Roberts - What’s Wrong With Education?

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 University

Link: https://olin.wustl.edu/student-resources/center-for-experiential-learning.php#:~:text=The%20Center%20for%20Experiential%20Learning,Driven%E2%84%A2%20practice%20and%20application. 

2. EconTalk Podcast

Link: https://simplecast.econtalk.org/ 

3. “How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness” by Russ Roberts

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Adam-Smith-Change-Your-Life/dp/1591847958

David Friedman - What Is Anarcho-Capitalism?

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 here: https://www.econlib.org/archives/2011/07/david_friedmans_1.html 

- The Stanford Encyclopedia's entry on Anarchism https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/anarchism/#:~:text=Libertarianism%20and%20anarcho%2Dcapitalism%20also,the%20idea%20of%20social%20development. 

- "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" - Robert A. Heinlein https://a.co/d/4gmWZrP 

- "The Private Enforcement of Law" - Landes and Posner https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=259376 

- "Law Enforcement, Malfeasance, and Compensation of Enforcers" - Gary S. Becker and George J. Stigler  https://laws21.classes.ryansafner.com/readings/Becker-Stigler-1974.pdf 

Mike Munger - Can Classical Liberalism Be Saved?

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: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/us 

Fusionism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusionism 

Albert Jay Nock and The Remnant: https://mises.org/library/isaiahs-job 

Chile rewriting its constitution: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chilean-congressional-council-finalizes-new-draft-constitution-again-2023-10-30/