The Curious Task

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

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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:
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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/ 

James Tooley and Robyn Mulcahy - Why Do Families Choose Private Education?

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 Buckingham:

https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/directory/professor-james-tooley/ 

Robyn’s bio on re-cognition:

https://re-cognition.ca/portfolio-item/educators/ 

Blueberry Creek Nature Centre:

https://re-cognition.ca/home-page/blueberry-creek-forest-and-nature-centre/ 

James’ Book “The Beautiful Tree”:

https://a.co/d/9SbGCMp 

 

Thanks to Our Patrons

Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:

https://patreon.com/curioustask 

Alan Elrod - How Should Liberals Think About Children?

Janet speaks with Alan Elrod to explore how classical liberalism understands the role of children in a free society. They discuss the liberal view of children as future autonomous individuals, the responsibilities of both parents and the state in their development, and how education sits at the center of ongoing ideological battles. Elrod unpacks the liberal commitment to individual flourishing and critiques contemporary efforts to politicize childhood through authoritarian or illiberal frameworks. 

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/

“Parents, Government and Children: Authority over Education in the Liberal Pluralist State” by William A. Galston (Chapter in Liberal Pluralism)
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/liberal-pluralism/parents-government-and-children-authority-over-education-in-the-liberal-pluralist-state/4FEF2172B5BD8B088A4D0558C11E1A1B

The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/O/bo3619943.html

Democratic Education by Amy Gutmann
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7sdfv

On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34901

Taking Responsibility for Children edited by Samantha Brennan and Robert Noggle
https://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Books/T/Taking-Responsibility-for-Children

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Thanks to Our Patrons
Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:
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Chris Freiman — Is it Okay to Ignore Politics?

In this conversation from 2020, Alex Aragona speaks with Christopher Freiman as he explores why you might be happier, and ultimately contribute more to society, if you choose to ignore politics.

References from Episode 31 with Chris Freiman:

• You can purchase Chris Freiman’s book when it’s out  here
• You can check out the Bleeding Heart Libertarians blog here
• You can purchase Bryan Caplan’s book ‘The Myth of the Rational Voter’ on Amazon Canada here

Graeme Thompson - What Is Canada's Role In The World?

Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about Canada's evolving role on the global stage, from Confederation through to the post-Cold War era and into the geopolitical uncertainties of today. They explore Canada’s historical balancing act between major powers, its close alignment with the United Kingdom and later the United States, and its present-day challenges in maintaining global relevance amid military underinvestment and economic stagnation. Thompson argues that Canada must become more serious about geopolitics if it wants to protect its sovereignty and remain influential internationally.

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References

1. “Canadians no longer take geopolitics seriously – and our neglect is going to cost us” by Graeme Thompson (The Hub)
   https://thehub.ca/2024-04-03/graeme-thompson-canadians-no-longer-take-geopolitics-seriously-and-our-neglect-is-going-to-cost-us/

2. Biography Collection: Ogdensburg Agreement and Canadian Wartime Diplomacy (Dictionary of Canadian Biography)
   https://www.biographi.ca/en/topics/topic-match-list.php?id=1504

3. Statute of Westminster (1931) – Recognized Canada’s legislative independence from Britain
   https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/statute-of-westminster

4. NATO Archives: Canada's Role and Early Involvement
   https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_161511.htm

5. Canada–U.S. Automotive Products Agreement (Auto Pact)
   https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canada-us-automotive-products-agreement

6. Lament for a Nation by George Grant
   https://a.co/d/bnRI7Rb

7. Canada’s Military Expenditure and NATO’s 2% Spending Target (Parliamentary Budget Officer)
   https://www.pbo-dpb.ca/en/publications/RP-2223-010-S--canada-military-expenditure-nato-2-spending-target--depenses-militaires-canada-objectif-depenses-2-otan

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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

Iain Murray - What Has Happened to Conservatism?

In this episode from 2023, Matt speaks with Iain Murray about the estrangement of conservative liberalism from identitarian forms of conservative nationalism and the intriguing alliances that may arise in the future between freedom-loving libertarians and some unlikely allies. 

Episode Notes:

Iain's book "The Socialist Temptation" https://a.co/d/5AUQHQp 

One of Iain's articles on the subject https://cei.org/blog/european-populism-is-nationalist-conservatism/ 

"Do Libertarians Have a Political Home Anymore?" by Iain Murray https://www.acton.org/religion-liberty/volume-35-number-1-2/do-libertarians-have-political-home-anymore 

Summary of Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillbilly_Elegy 

Ezra Klein's comment on "Everything Bagel Liberalism" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/opinion/democrats-liberalism.html 

What Happened To The Carbon Tax? - Franco Terrazzano

Matt speaks with Franco Terrazzano about the carbon tax within the broader context of government spending, taxation, and fiscal responsibility in Canada. They discuss the impact of high government debt, the role of the federal budget, and the long-term consequences of deficit spending. Terrazzano critiques the federal carbon tax, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on Canadians while failing to achieve its intended environmental goals, and points to some glaring instances of hypocrisy on the part of its supporters.

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References

1. Axing the Tax: 100 Simple and Painless Ways to Save Money on Your Taxes by Franco Terrazzano

   • https://a.co/d/azlHzK6 

2. "Carbon tax costs average Ontario family $627 this year" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

   • https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-costs-average-ontario-family-627-this-year

3. "PBO confirms carbon tax costs more than rebates" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

   • https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/pbo-confirms-carbon-tax-costs-more-than-rebates

4. "Carbon tax bureaucracy costs taxpayers $800 million" by Franco Terrazzano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

   • https://www.taxpayer.com/newsroom/carbon-tax-bureaucracy-costs-taxpayers-800-million

   •  

5. "Cut taxes and government spending to combat inflation" by Franco Terrazzano (EnergyNow)

   • https://energynow.ca/2022/02/news-release-cut-taxes-and-government-spending-to-combat-inflation

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Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:
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Graeme Thompson — What Is Canadian Liberalism?

In this episode from 2021, Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about the classical liberal tradition in Canada, and what the evolution of that tradition has looked like.

References from The Curious Task Episode 94 with Graeme Thompson

• A collection of the speeches of Wilfred Laurier can be found in an edited edition by Arthur Milnes, available from Amazon here.
• Macdonald Laurier and the Election of 1891 by Christopher Pennington can be found from Penguin House here.
• Graeme Thompson’s piece “Whatever Happened to Laurier” can be found in the National Post here.
• Graeme mentions positive and negative liberty by Isaiah Berlin, which is discussed on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy here.
• The works of Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, and J.S. Mill can be read for free through the Online Library of Liberty.