Multimedia 
Essential
Milton Friedman on "Greed"
In an interview with Phil Donahue, Milton Friedman explains why societies have historically always flourished when they've embraced a political and economic system that encourages economic self-interest -- "greed."
The Philosophy of Liberty
A video explaining libertarianism based on the principle of self-ownership.
Cato Events Podcasts
The Cato Institute is pleased to provide you with a comprehensive archive of Cato Institute events podcasts.
Cato Daily Podcast
The Cato Daily Podcast allows experts and scholars affiliated with the Cato Institute to comment on relevant news in a conversational, informal manner. By presenting issues in a concise and engaging way, the podcast invites listeners to rethink their assumptions about liberty and the proper role of government.
Cato Weekly Video
Cato Weekly Video presents a variety of speakers, interviews, and events at the Cato Institute.
Economic Freedom of the World Map
The first Economic Freedom of the World Report, published in 1996, was the result of a decade of research by a team which included several Nobel Laureates and over 60 other leading scholars in a broad range of fields, from economics to political science, and from law to philosophy. This is the 11th edition of Economic Freedom of the World and this year's publication ranks 141 nations for 2005, the most recent year for which data are available.
Recommended
Mississippi Drug War Blues—the Case of Cory Maye
The latest Drew Carey Project video for reason.tv tells "a story about the intersection of race, the war on drugs, the disturbing increase in the militarization of police tactics, and systemic flaws in the criminal justice system. It is a tragedy in which one man is dead and another may spend his life in prison without possibility of parole."
American Idol and Poverty
Ed Crane, President of the Cato Institute, suggests that celebrities take a good look at how to help the poor of the world create their own wealth.
Bernstein on the History of Trade
"William Bernstein talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the history of trade. Drawing on the insights from his recent book, A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World, Bernstein talks about the magic of spices, how trade in sugar explain why Jews ended up in Manhattan, the real political economy of the Boston Tea Party and the demise of the Corn Laws in England."
Bail Bondsmen, Bounty Hunters and Private Prisons
"America’s free enterprise system is at work in many aspects of the criminal justice system. Profit-making bail bondsmen who help defendants post the money needed for their freedom pending trial are common in the U.S. but virtually unheard of across the rest of the world. Bounty hunters lured by big payouts find criminals who have previously eluded the police. And private companies are building and operating prisons and detention facilities."
Roberts on the Least Pleasant Jobs
"EconTalk host Russ Roberts talks about the claim that for capitalism to succeed there have to be people at the bottom to do the unpleasant tasks and that the rich thrive because of the suffering of those at the bottom. He critiques the idea that capitalism is a zero sum game where to get ahead, someone has to fall back. He also looks at the evolution of the least pleasant jobs over time and how technology interacts with rising productivity to make the least pleasant jobs more pleasant."
Coyne on Exporting Democracy after War
"Christopher Coyne of West Virginia University and George Mason University's Mercatus Center talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about his book, After War: The Political Economy of Exporting Democracy. They talk about the successes and failures of America's attempts to export democracy after a war."
Is Taxation Voluntary?
"Jan Helfeld interviews Senator Harry Reid about government coercion. Reid maintains that taxation is voluntary despite all evidence to the contrary."
Immigration: The Beckham Factor
"As soccer superstar David Beckham kicks off the Los Angeles Galaxy's 2008 season, Drew Carey asks what this says about immigration in the U.S. in a new reason.tv video."
Is Health Care a Right?
In this podcast economics Professor Russell Roberts of George Mason University debates a physician who thinks health care is a right and the government should provide it.
Organ Transplants: Kidneys for Sale
"In his most controversial segment yet, reason.tv host Drew Carey offers a startling solution to the critical shortage in kidneys available for transplant: Pay people to donate their kidneys."
Living Large: America's Middle Class
"To hear the Lou Dobbses and Bill O'Reillys of the world--not to mention politicians ranging from Ron Paul to Hillary Clinton--the middle class of America (however you define that term) has never had it so tough. Between credit squeezes, out-of-control immigration, rising costs of education and health care and everything else, it's all darkness out there for those of us who are neither millionaires nor welfare cases, right?
In 'Living Large,' Drew Carey and reason.tv examine the plight of the American middle class. What do they find? "
The Economics of Tolerance
With Will Wilkinson: "When the economy's good, Americans tend to act better toward their fellow citizens. But commentator Will Wilkinson says in a sliding economy, we tend to slam the gates of opportunity."
Matt Welch on BHTV
Cato's own Will Wilkinson speaks with Reason Magazine chief Matt Welch to discuss his "rollicking, revealing book," McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, and the real man behind the myth.
Tim Hartford on BHTV
Cato's own Will Wilkinson speaks with author and economist Tim Hartford about his new book, The Logic of Life. "Tim’s book isn’t just another foray into pop econ. It’s a fascinating and entertaining overview and synthesis of a good deal of the most important recent research in economics." - Will Wilkinson
Milton Friedman with Charlie Rose
"An hour with Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman. Friedman discusses his life, his contributions to economics, the Republican Party and his view on the direction of the United States and the world in coming years."
The Great Global Warming Swindle
"The most disturbing part of the movie, and what makes it worth spending the hour-plus to watch it, is the way it portrays the momentum of the global warming crusade. When you have lots and lots of people heavily invested in a point of view, how can they possibly change?" - Arnold Kling
Is Feminism on the Wane?
Feminism has come to mean many things to many people. Carrie Lukas, Vice President of the Independent Women's Forum, argues that feminism was once a movement of equality under the law and equality of opportunity. She says it now often represents expansion of government to achieve dubious ends.
Kurt Loder on Technology and Freedom
"A legend for his work in Rolling Stone and at MTV, Loder is an outspoken libertarian--and a harsh critic of the nanny state in all its manifestations. In this wide-ranging conversation, Loder discusses technology, freedom, the coming collapse of traditional news media (and why that's a good thing), the misguided (and ultimately ineffective) attempt to shut down free expression, and much more."
Supremes to Hear Second Amendment Case
With Robert A. Levy: "For the first time in nearly 70 years, the Supreme Court has agreed to examine the meaning of the Second Amendment. That's good news for all Americans who would like to be able to defend themselves where they live and sleep. And it's especially good news for residents of Washington, D.C., which has been the murder capital of the nation despite an outright ban on all functional firearms since 1976."
Discover Your Inner Economist: Use Incentives to Fall in Love, Survive Your Next Meeting, and Motivate Your Dentist
"The economist and blogger Tyler Cowen provides quirky and insightful advice for life based on his signature urbane style of economic reasoning."
National City: Eminent Domain Gone Wild
Reason.tv host Drew Carey visits National City, California, where the local government is taking eminent domain abuse to new lows.
Fat on the Farm Bill
By Dr. Sallie James: The Farm Bill is the ultimate example of concentrated benefits and diffused costs. Farm subsidies are hard to justify on their merits, and even harder to justify when they go to massive corporate farms.
Free Kareem!
Dr. Tom G. Palmer, Cato's Vice President for International Programs, speaks out against the imprisonment of a young Egyptian blogger. November 9th marks the one year anniversary of Kareem's incarceration. For more information about the global effort to free Kareem, and about rallies in your area, visit www.freekareem.org .
The Legacy of Ayn Rand
Reason Magazine Senior Editor and "Radicals for Capitalism" author Brian Doherty takes the modernist measure of novelist, philosopher, and cult figure Ayn Rand.
Understanding Insurgency
Malou Innocent, a Foreign Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute, describes the problematic nature of insurgency and argues that fighting them is tricky, and should only be undertaken when vital national interests are at stake. The insurgency in Iraq, she argues, does not qualify.
Nanny State Playgrounds
Nanny State author David Harsanyi, who also wrote the November reason cover story "Prohibition Returns!: Teetotaling do-gooders attack your right to drink," appears on The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams to discuss how safety mavens have taken the fun--and sharp edges--out of America's playgrounds.
Drew Carey Defends Medical Marijuana
"I think it’s clear by now that the federal government needs to reclassify marijuana. People who need it should be able to get it – safely and easily," says The Price Is Right and Power of 10 host Drew Carey in a new Reason.tv video examining medical marijuana and the war on drugs.
Gridlock: Hell on Wheels
"Reason.tv Host Drew Carey examines the costs and consequences of traffic jams and explores several solutions that can get our roads moving. How does a speedy trip on the 'Drew Carey Freeway' sound?"
History of Religion
How has the geography of religion evolved over the centuries, and where has it sparked wars? This map gives you a brief history of the world's most well-known religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Selected periods of inter-religious bloodshed are also highlighted. Want to see 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds? Ready, Set, Go!
A Short Course in Brain Surgery
By Stuart Browning. In A Short Course in Brain Surgery, filmmaker Stuart Browning shows the callousness of "single-payer", government-run health care systems as practiced in Ontario, Canada. His film highlights the plight of Lindsay McCreith, an Ontario man with a cancerous brain tumor who went to Buffalo, NY to receive the timely medical care that is rationed in his home country.
Uninsured in America
By Stuart Browning: "Uninsured in America examines the conventional wisdom that 45 million Americans cannot get health insurance and consequently do not have access to health care."
What Do We Really Know About the Spread of AIDS?
By Emily Oster. Emily Oster, a University of Chicago economist, looks at the stats on AIDS in Africa -- and comes up with a stunning conclusion: Everything we know about AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa is wrong. We look for root causes such as poverty and poor health care -- but we also need to factor in, say, the price of coffee, and the routes of long-haul truckers. In short, there is a lot we don't know; and our assumptions about what we do know may keep us from finding the best way to stop the disease.
On the Fence Films
On the Fence Films is working to create a new breed of political documentary which informs, entertains and considers different points of view one might not often encounter in The New York Times or on CBS News.
Ayn Rand interview with Phil Donue (1980)
Ayn Rand discusses her philosophy and writings with Phil Donahue. Audience question and answer follows. Part 1 of 5, via youtube. (Parts 2-5 also available on youtube)
Gillespie on Bill Moyers Journal
"Earlier this year, Reason Editor-in-Chief Nick Gillespie appeared on PBS's Bill Moyers Journal where he discussed the religious right, the Republican spending explosion, how libertarians will decide the next presidential race, radical Islam, and more."
Our Priorities for Saving the World
By Bjorn Lomburg : "Given $50 billion to spend, which would you solve first, AIDS or global warming? Danish political scientist Bjorn Lomborg put this question to economists and students around the world, and the answers they came up with may surprise you. Ranking our toughest problems not on any moral scale but simply by how effectively they can be solved, Lomborg and his colleagues demand we take a fresh look at doing good."
Let's Take a New Look at African Aid
By Andrew Mwenda: "In this provocative talk, journalist Andrew Mwenda asks us to reframe the "African question" -- to look beyond the media's stories of poverty, civil war and helplessness and see the opportunities for creating wealth and happiness throughout the continent. Most important, he says, the solution to Africa's problems is not more aid."
McCraw on Schumpeter, Innovation, and Creative Destruction
"Thomas McCraw of Harvard University talks about the ideas of Joseph Schumpeter from his book, Prophet of Innovation: Joseph Schumpeter and Creative Destruction. McCraw and EconTalk host Russ Roberts discuss innovation, business strategy, the role of mathematics in economics, and Schumpeter's vision of competition embodied in his most important idea--creative destruction."
Robert Frank on Economics Education and the Economic Naturalist
"Frank argues that the traditional way of teaching economics via graphs and equations often fails to make any impression on students. In this conversation with host Russ Roberts, Frank outlines an alternative approach from his new book, where students find interesting questions and enigmas from everyday life. They then try to explain them using the economic way of thinking."
What Politicians Should Learn From the "Ron Paul Revolution"
David Boaz, Cato's executive vice president, weighs in on the "Ron Paul effect" with CNN's Glenn Beck.
Reason.tv
"Welcome to reason.tv, home of The Drew Carey Project and other great libertarian videos. Over the next few months we plan to bring you the latest, most compelling stories about freedom from all corners of the Internet, and we'll be experimenting with new interactive content and features."
Restoring the Lost Constitution
With Randy Barnett: "The U.S. Constitution found in school textbooks and under glass in Washington is not the one enforced today by the Supreme Court. In Restoring the Lost Constitution, Randy Barnett argues that since the nation's founding, but especially since the 1930s, the courts have been cutting holes in the original Constitution and its amendments to eliminate the parts that protect liberty from the power of government."
Assessing the Surge
The surge in Iraq is doing little to create the environment needed for political reconciliation. That's the conclusion of Christopher Preble, Cato's Director of Foreign Policy Studies, who spoke at a Policy Forum at the Cato Institute on September 20th.
Botched Paramilitary Police Raids
An interactive map of botched SWAT and paramilitary police raids, released in conjunction with the Cato policy paper "Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids," by Radley Balko.
The Constitution of No Authority
The abolitionist hero Lysander Spooner presents a radical, even mind-bending, legal analysis, arguing that the Constitution of the United States of America has no authority over those who did not explicitly sign it. Randy Barnett, a law professor at Georgetown University, responds to Spooner's charge in his book, Restoring the Lost Constitution.
Idea Channel
The Idea Channel is an online streaming channel which broadcasts Free to Choose Media programs exploring the concepts of freedom and wealth creation through expert storytelling and high quality presentation.
Funding the REAL ID Act: Improved Homeland Security or More Washington Waste?
Featuring: David Williams, Vice President of Policy, Citizens Against Government Waste; Andrew Moylan, Government Affairs Manager, National Taxpayers Union; and Jim Harper, Director of Information Policy Studies, Cato Institute.
The Power of Choice (Milton Friedman)
An excerpt from the biography of Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman.
Milton Friedman on PBS's Open Mind
Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman eloquently explains the superiority of free-market policies.
A Constitution for Liberty
Prof. Kenneth Minogue interviews contemporary authors in his investigation on the principles that can constitute a free society.
Politopia - Political Orientation Quiz
Take this interactive test and discover where do you fit in the political spectrum.
Liberty Arcade
Liberty Arcade is a collection of interactive games that illustrate fundamental concepts from the social sciences. These games are designed to provide you with a better understanding of the underlying processes at work in modern, complex societies. Play the games, have fun and, by all means, think for yourself!