Conservative Prudence vs. Liberal Rationality

What is conservative practical wisdom, and does it always look backward? Conversely, does liberal rationality always look forward? What do "backward" and "forward" actually mean in our normal political discourse? These are some of the big questions of contemporary public life. Ferenc Horcher, a political philosopher at the University of Public Service in Budapest, will explore these and related topics.

Monday Nov. 7 at 4:30 pm in Rocky 1.

The event is co-sponsored by the Daniel Webster Project and the Political Economy Project.

Resurgent Nationalism: Is There a "Liberal Identity" Solution?

Monday Oct 10 at 4:30 in Rocky 1.

The Oxford political philosopher David Miller explores a widely held view that liberal democracies have experienced an upsurge in nationalism in recent years, and that this is best explained as a form of backlash against social and cultural change. Is the best response to develop liberal forms of national identity that are both pluralist, recognizing different ways of belonging to the nation, and democratic, encouraging widespread debate over which cultural features to preserve from the past and which to change?

The event is free and open to the public, and is co-sponsored by the Daniel Webster Project and the Political Economy Project.

Lindsay MacMillan ('15): The Heart of the Deal

Lindsay MacMillan is a bestselling author, speaker, and businesswoman. After graduating magna cum laude from Dartmouth College, where she studied economics and English, she worked at Goldman Sachs for six years in NYC and London, becoming a Vice President. While working on Wall Street, Lindsay carved out early mornings and weekends to pursue her dream of being an author. She will discuss her first book -- and the path that led her there. Rocky 3 at 4:30 on Oct. 13.

Open Borders, For or Against? A Debate!

Mark Krikorian and Bryan Caplan, “Open Borders: For or Against? A Debate”

Immigration is one of the most contested issues of our time. How are the rights of the citizens of a country to be balanced against the rights of those wishing, for whatever reason, to move to that country? What are the economic factors involved, and how should they be weighed in the formation of public policy? And how far if at all is immigration legitimately viewed as a cultural phenomenon? Krikorian (Center for Immigration Studies) will exchange views with Caplan (Economics, George Mason University).

Moderated by Douglas Irwin (John French Professor of Economics)

The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the PEP, the Rockefeller Center, and the Daniel Webster Project.

Thursday Oct. 20 at 4:00 pm in Filene Auditorium (Moore B13). It will also be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/EmtsoS5-6AY. 

Graeme Garrard: The Return of the State

Graeme Garrard makes a powerful case for the state as our only realistic hope of countering the rising power of multinational corporations, organized crime, and international organizations that will always put their own interests first. Today, he argues, the state is essential to the health and welfare of everyone except the rich and powerful. 

Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 4:30 pm in Rocky. 

The event is free and open to the public, and is co-sponsored by the Daniel Webster Project and the Political Economy Project.