The Liberty League Freedom Forum 2012 is nearly here! It will be held on the weekend of Friday 30th march – Sunday 1st April at Newcastle University. All accommodation, meals, workshops and events over the course of the conference are included for the exceptionally reasonable price of just £30. Make sure you book your ticket now by clicking here .
But what should you expect? We’ll be announcing more speakers over the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here’s a full list of the speakers and sessions so far:
Josie Appleton & Claire Fox:
- Should the State ever Intervene in Parenting? “All ideologies have a problem with children. Where do their rights begin and end? To what extent are they dependents, and what is the responsibility of the parent? Some fear that young minds will be misinformed or fed propaganda by their parents and schools, and others fear that parents might be unfit to raise their children. And what about children without parents or family? Whose responsibility is it to look after them? In a libertarian model, is there ever room for the state to intervene, or should this be the exclusive role of society?”
Kevin Dowd:
- Free Banking and Currency Reform: ”Do we really have a free market? Some economists believe that limited liability rules and a national monopoly on currencies mean we have a system of corporate capitalism at odds with the free market. What are the problems posed, and what kind of policies can deal with them effectively?”
- Doom & Gloom: Where is the Economy headed?: “The economic prospects of the country, Europe and the world are looking shaky. But is this just another recession about to pass, or are we in a much deeper crisis than is commonly imagined?”
Angus Kennedy:
- Ancient Greeks & Freedom: “Concepts of liberty have their roots in the ancient world. But what were these classical ideas of liberty, and where did they come from?
Perhaps most importantly of all, are there lessons to be learned from
the ancient Greek philosophers and political thinkers? Or was
their concept of freedom flawed, particularly in light of slavery and
the treatment of women?” - The Renaissance & Liberty: “The Renaissance is known for the rebirth of ancient political ideas including the republican tradition of free citizens living in free cities
and the struggle for liberty against tyranny as exemplified by Brutus. But
do what extent were Graeco-Roman concepts of freedom applicable or
realisable in a world of Popes, Kings and Emperors? What lessons can be
learned from the period by classical liberals and libertarians?”
Rob Lyons:
- Food: Myths and Morality: ”Is food a moral issue? For classical liberals, this sometimes boil down to the issue of how far the no harm principle extends to animals and the environment. But is there also a degree of alarmism and misinformation about the issue? With food miles, obesity ‘pandemics’, farming concerns, and a distrust of supermarkets by food critics, how have wealthy societies that have solved the age-old problem of famine become so concerned about what we eat?”
Mark Pennington:
- What is Free Market Environmentalism? ”Within the libertarian tradition, property rights are often king. Many support even the right to pollute, so long as it provides economic progress. But to what extent are we able to pollute without threatening the rights of others? And are there free market mechanisms for dealing with this problem, or might it fall to Rothbard’s solution of imposing bans on certain levels of pollution? At its extreme, and accepting the threat of climate change, can we find a free market environmentalist
alternative solution?”
Madsen Pirie:
- Economics made Fun: “What are the basics, and what is the best way to present them?”
- Philosophies of Freedom: ”Where does libertarian and classical liberal thought come from, and how has it evolved? Who are the key philosophers and why are they important?”
Alex Singleton:
- How to be a Journalist: What makes them tick? “How does the world of journalism really work, how can you become one, and how do you get them interested when you have something to promote?“
Chris Snowdon:
- How to be a Prohibitionist: “Smoking, drinking, drugs, fat, sugar… The list is endless. But why do prohibitionists keep appearing, and how are they able to get away with banning things? What are the facts around endangered substances and activities, and how can we enter the mind of the prohibitionist to best stop them?”
Jamie Whyte:
- How to win the argument: Addressing fallacies and persuading audiences
- Philosophies of Freedom: “How does classical liberal and libertarian thought fit into the wider context of philosophical thought? Who are the key philosophers and why are they important? And what are the big flaws and questions that freedom’s advocates should address?”
…Excited yet? There will be many more announced over the next few weeks. Make sure you book your ticket by clicking here.
