Idea Channel Discussions

40:53

Economic Analysis of Health Care and Social Security

From the University of Chicago's Economics Department, Professors Casey Mulligan and Kevin M. Murphy analyze health care and social security from an economic perspective.

28:43

Economically Speaking: Government Regulation

Produced and Telecast by PBS in 1978, this is one of the rare TV appearances of Nobel Prize winner George Stigler. Also appearing on this half hour production is a young Mark Green, near the beginning...

59:00

Economically Speaking: Why Economists Disagree

Robert Heller, Professor of Economics at the University of Wisconsin, and Milton Friedman, Nobel Prize recipient and Professor at the University of Chicago engage in a spirited economic discussion....

41:12

Armen Alchian Part 1

Join Armen Alchian, Professor of Economics, UCLA and Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics. Professor Alchian engages Nobel Prize-winning economist Friedrich von Hayek in reminiscences that provide a...

51:41

Armen Alchian Part 2

Armen Alchian, Professor of Economics, UCLA continues to engage Nobel Prize-winning economist Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics in reminiscences that provide a uniquely personal and entertaining...

1:11:48

Dr. Axel Leijonhufvud

Axel Leijonhufvud, Professor of Economics at UCLA and Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics discuss the courses of study and contact with noted scholars which shaped Dr. von Hayek's thought and work in...

44:07

Earlene Craver Leijonhufvud

Earlene Craver, Economics writer, shares with Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics, his recollections of traveling to America as a young man. Hayek also discusses his perception of the tension between...

59:32

Jack High

Jack High, Economics Graduate Student and Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics trace Hayek's professional and philosophical development. Hayek also comments on the significant influences on his life and...

52:56

James Buchanan Part 1

Nobel laureates James Buchanan, Professor of Economics, George Mason University and Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics engage in a spirited discussion of von Hayek's controversial work, "Constitution...

49:10

James Buchanan Part 2

Nobel laureates James Buchanan, Professor of Economics, George Mason University and Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics continue their discussion of von Hayek's controversial work, "Constitution of...

56:15

Leo Rosten Part 1

Noted economist Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics and author, Leo Rosten engage in hour one of a lively and occasionally controversial three-part interview of, in a wide-ranging discussion of von...

53:02

Leo Rosten Part 2

Noted economist Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics and author, Leo Rosten engage in hour one of a lively and occasionally controversial three-part interview of, in a wide-ranging discussion of von...

47:58

Leo Rosten Part 3

Noted economist Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics and author, Leo Rosten engage in hour three of a lively and occasionally controversial three-part interview of, in a wide-ranging discussion of von...

54:46

Robert Bork Part 1

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork and Nobel Prize winner Friedrich von Hayek engage in a lively discussion of the economic theories developed in von Hayek's book, "Law, Legislation and Liberty."...

28:20

Robert Bork Part 2

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork and Nobel Prize winner Friedrich von Hayek engage in hour two of a lively discussion of the economic theories developed in von Hayek's book, "Law, Legislation...

32:59

Robert Bork Part 3

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork and Nobel Prize winner Friedrich von Hayek engage in hour three of a lively discussion of the economic theories developed in von Hayek's book, "Law, Legislation...

54:46

Robert Chitester Part 1

Noted economist Friedrich von Hayek and the founder of Free To Choose Network, Bob Chitester discuss American thought and culture, and the ramifications of constant change in American economic and...

59:35

Robert Chitester Part 2

Noted economist Friedrich von Hayek and the founder of Free To Choose Network, Bob Chitester continue to discuss American thought and culture, and the ramifications of constant change in American...

40:42

Tom Hazlett

Tom Hazlett, Professor of Economics, and Friedrich von Hayek, PhD Economics engage in an informative and thoughtful discussion of economic and social trends, and monetary theory.

33:14

Consumer Behavior

Is the economic theory of utility a useful way of understanding consumer behavior? Ronald Coase and Gary Becker, Nobel Economists at the University of Chicago, explain and discuss the theory of...

43:04

Economic Reasoning Applied to Sociology

Dr. Gary Becker, Professor of Economics & Sociology, University of Chicago and Richard Posner, author "Sex and Reason," discuss the challenge confronting those who apply market analysis to social...

58:39

Gary Becker

Dr. Gary Becker, Professor of Economics & Sociology, University of Chicago explains why the family is and will continue to be a dominant 'player' in economic activities. National productivity is...

39:31

Preferences, Self-Interest, Subtle Choices

Dr. Gary Becker, 1992 Nobel Economist and Aaron Wildavsky, Prof. of Political Science and Public Policy, UC Berkeley, discuss the ways in which preferences and self-interest influence our decisions.

30:16

Transition in Eastern Europe

How rapidly should former Eastern Bloc countries convert to free market economies? Considering, and sometimes debating this question, are Ronald Coase and Gary Becker, Nobel Economists at the...

58:03

International Movement of Wealth

Patricia Dillon, of the Department of Economics at Scripps College, Richard B. McKenzie, Walter B. Gerken Professor of Enterprise and Society at the University of California, and Sven W. Arndt,...

1:25:54

Equality and Freedom in the Free Enterprise System

If the government has the power and responsibility to promote equality of income, then how do we define the concept of equality? Jefferson, in his Declaration of Independence, meant equality before...

1:18:54

Free Trade: Producer vs Consumer

If free trade is so good, why is protectionism so popular? Part of the answer lies in a simple political principle — interests that are concentrated (those of the producer) are more politically...

1:09:08

Is Capitalism Humane?

The question is irrelevant. Capitalism per se is not humane or inhumane; nor is socialism. If we compare the two in terms of results, it is clear that only capitalism fosters equality and works toward...

1:20:48

Is Tax Reform Possible?

Why do Americans pay more in taxes than they really want to? Can they do anything about it? Americans must understand that their true tax burden is what the government spends—regardless of how that...

1:26:03

Money and Inflation

Inflation is blamed on many things. But it has only one cause: It is a monetary phenomenon. Inflation occurs when the quantity of money increases faster than the quantity of goods. Why does the money...

1:22:27

Myths That Conceal Reality

Five myths cloud our perception of both the past and the present. (1) The “robber baron” myth which holds that in late nineteenth-century America there were powerful men who became rich at the...

1:14:04

Putting Learning Back in the Classroom

The quality of public education in America today in many places is deplorable. Dr. Friedman identifies (1) the increasing centralization and bureaucratization of the educational establishment, which...

45:26

The Economics of Medical Care

Increasing government involvement in medical care will take us toward fully socialized medicine. This trend is clearly against the interests of patients, physicians, and other health care personnel....

1:26:43

The Energy Crisis: A Humane Solution

It’s pointless to try to predict the availability of adequate sources of energy. What we need is an adjustable mechanism to enable us to adapt to whatever happens. We already have such a mechanism:...

45:36

The Future of Our Free Society

We live under a form of slavery—government domination of the market economy. We have come a long way from a truly free economy: Consider the number of markets to which new firms do not have free...

1:26:09

The Role of Government in a Free Society

John Stuart Mill said, in effect, that self-protection is the only legitimate reason for people to interfere with the freedom of others. If we are to define the role of government in a free society,...

1:11:56

What is America?

Is America still the land of opportunity, or is it a land worn thin, showing much bureaucracy and less freedom? Dr. Friedman’s view of America’s present situation is not sanguine. He identifies...

1:26:50

What is Wrong with the Welfare State?

The welfare state is an attempt to “do good” with someone else’s money. The aim may be worthy but the means are faulty. The problem is that you do not spend someone else’s money as carefully...

1:25:58

Who Protects the Consumer?

Consumer legislation doesn’t in the end protect the consumer; rather, it benefits the consumer advocates, including reformers, special interest groups, and regulatory agencies. What does protect the...

1:22:32

Who Protects the Worker?

Unions offer protection to workers in some situations, but union membership represents only one-fifth of the American labor force. And while some unions do benefit their members, it is generally at...

31:46

Monetary Revolutions

Daniel Gressel, PhD, Economics (Univ. of Chicago), Milton Friedman, 1976 Nobel laureate in Economics, and Robert Hall PhD Economics (Stanford) discuss the effects that world events, such as world wars...

43:15

Money

Daniel Gressel, PhD, Economics (Univ. of Chicago), Milton Friedman, 1976 Nobel laureate in Economics, and Robert Hall PhD Economics (Stanford), discuss what money is and how has it evolved and changed...

24:43

Morality of the Free Market

This discussion features Dr. Karen Vaughn, Professor of Economics at George Mason University and Dr. Walter Williams, John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics at George Mason University. ...

28:23

Perspectives on Judicial Activism

The Honorable Robert Bork and Douglas H. Ginsburg discuss changes in the judicial system since Bork’s tenure, including the use of economics, judicial imperialism, and the differences between...

26:07

Privatization Trends in Eastern Europe

Robert Ebel, International Government Finance Economist, Milton Friedman, 1976 Nobel laureate in Economics, and Tom Hazlett, Editor-in-Chief The Wesleyan Review discuss how countries in the...

22:39

The Federal Reserve: Puncturing the Myth

This discussion features Dr. James Buchanan, 1986 Nobel Economist, and Dr. David Fand, Visiting Research Associate at The Center for Study of Public Choice at George Mason University. The Federal...

58:38

Julian Simon

Julian Simon foresaw the falling natural resource prices, increased world oil supply, and decline in farmland prices. His view of population economics is unique and persuasive. This discussion covers...

58:26

Milton Friedman

Dr. Milton Friedman, 1976 Nobel laureate in Economics and author of Free To Choose, urges alertness to the difference between false and real problems concerning government. The problem is not...

60:18

Walter Williams

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Walter E. Williams holds a B.A. degree in economics from California State University - Los Angeles, and M.A. and Ph.D degrees in economics from UCLA. He also...

59:03

William R. Allen

William R. Allen is a Professor of Economics at UCLA, and host of 'The Midnight Economist' radio series. Allen, intent on improving the quality of economic education, believes journalists,...