In this episode, Matt speaks with Sean Speer about the rise of the so-called “New Right” and the growing tension between conservatism and classical liberalism. Speer defends a fusionist vision rooted in ordered liberty, pluralism, and institutional restraint, arguing that attempts to use state power to impose cultural outcomes misunderstand how culture actually evolves. Together, they explore elite anxiety, civil society, immigration, and why liberal means remain essential even for those with conservative ends. References Sean's author page at The Hub: https://thehub.ca/author/seanspeer/  What Is Conservatism? — edited by Frank S. Meyerhttps://a.co/d/5suzcP4  The Road to Serfdom — F. A. Hayekhttps://a.co/d/evGqw3L  The Crooked Timber of Humanity — Isaiah Berlinhttps://a.co/d/4PuAvLB  Bourgeois Dignity / Bourgeois Equality — Deirdre McCloskeyhttps://a.co/d/8B7qlQV  The Anywhere vs Somewhere Divide — David Goodhart (interview)https://www.commonplace.org/p/somewheres-and-anywheres-with-david  --- Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit:https://patreon.com/curioustask 

In this episode, Alex speaks with Abraham Singer about his book Everyone’s Business, exploring why businesses and other private organizations should be understood not only as economic entities but as political communities that shape power, responsibility, and moral life. Singer explains how firms structure our choices, why classical liberals must take internal organizational governance more seriously, and what it means to treat workplaces as sites of real political and ethical significance. References Everyone’s Business: Toward a New Understanding of How Organizations Shape Our Lives - Abraham Singerhttps://a.co/d/iz5yWEU  “The Form Of The Firm” - Abraham Singerhttps://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-form-of-the-firm-9780197586860?cc=ca&lang=en&  Abraham's Scholarly Articleshttps://abrahamsinger.weebly.com/research.html  “The Political Nature of the Firm and the Cost of Norms” - Abraham Singerhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/26550924  Private Government - Elizabeth Andersonhttps://a.co/d/gNrwGK2  The Nature of the Firm - Ronald Coasehttps://www.jstor.org/stable/2626876  --- Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit:https://patreon.com/curioustask 

In this episode, Alex speaks with constitutional scholar Leonid Sirota about the notwithstanding clause—what it does, how it functions within Canada’s constitutional architecture, and why its routine use undermines the very rights the Charter is meant to protect. Drawing on arguments from his National Post piece and earlier writing, Sirota explains why Section 33 was intended as an exceptional political safeguard, not a convenient escape hatch for governments, and why treating it as a routine tool erodes constitutionalism, weakens judicial oversight, and shifts the balance of power away from individuals and toward the state. References Leonid Sirota, “Yes, the notwithstanding clause overrides rights. No, it isn’t defensible.” — National Posthttps://nationalpost.com/opinion/leonid-sirota-yes-the-notwithstanding-clause-overrides-rights-no-it-isnt-defensible “The Case Against the Notwithstanding Clause” — Leonid Sirota (Double Aspect)https://doubleaspect.blog/2018/10/04/the-case-against-the-notwithstanding-clause/ “Notwithstanding Myths” — Leonid Sirota (Double Aspect)https://doubleaspect.blog/2025/11/10/notwithstanding-myths/  Peter W. Hogg, Constitutional Law of Canada https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/faculty_books/219/  The Constitution Act, 1982 (Section 33 — the Notwithstanding Clause)https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/check/art33.html  Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

In this episode, Matt interviews Karen Restoule on the challenge of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada. Restoule stresses that true reconciliation must begin by re-embracing the vision of coexistence enshrined in early agreements such as the Treaty of Niagara — a relationship based on mutual respect and shared sovereignty — and not merely through state apologies or symbolic gestures. References Karen Restoule: Reconciliation requires looking back to move forward — The Hub (2025)https://thehub.ca/2025/09/30/karen-restoule-reconciliation-requires-looking-back-to-move-forward/ Karen Restoule — profile and bio (Macdonald-Laurier Institute)https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/cm-expert/karen-restoule/ “’The best is yet to come’ for Indigenous peoples: Karen Restoule on why reconciliation is a tangible goal and not a romantic notion” — Hub Dialogues (podcast)https://thehub.ca/podcast/audio/karen-restoule-on-why-reconciliation-is-a-tangible-goal-and-not-a-romantic-notion/ “An Overview of the Indian Residential School System” — Union of Ontario Indians / research compiled by Karen Restoule (PDF)https://www.anishinabek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/An-Overview-of-the-IRS-System-Booklet.pdf Reconciliation Canada — about the non-profit working on reconciliation history & public awarenesshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconciliation_Canada “The Baroness von Sketch Show” — sketch series (mentioned in episode)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlG17C19nYo Karen’s social media post with the map referred to in the episode: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7394536450693718016/ Amber Midthunder’s guest appearance on Reservation Dogs (mentioned in episode)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8UpKVImNcU Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

In this episode, Matt digs into modern Hungarian politics with Zoltan Kesz, exploring how Viktor Orbán evolved from a young liberal reformer into an illiberal, Putin-aligned strongman presiding over a reactionary kleptocracy. Zoltan breaks down how Orbán consolidated power, manipulated institutions, reshaped the media, and abandoned liberalism while Hungary’s economy and democratic norms declined. References: Zoltan at LibertyCon: https://libertycon.net/speaker/zoltan-kesz/  Zoltan at Emerging Europe: https://emerging-europe.com/author/zoltan-kesz/  BBC's Analysis of Viktor Orban: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67832416  "How Viktor Orban Wins" at Journal of Democracy: https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/how-viktor-orban-wins/ --  Thanks to our supporters—including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

ILS Educational Programs Manager Alex Eames speaks with Moin Yahya about whether the state should run the postal service. They explore the history of Canada Post’s monopoly, competition and innovation in mail delivery, and why Lysander Spooner’s 19th-century rebellion still matters for debates about government-run enterprises today. References: Moin A. Yahya — Faculty Profile (University of Alberta, Law)https://apps.ualberta.ca/directory/person/myahya Canada Post Corporation Act (Justice Laws, Government of Canada)https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-10/ Lysander Spooner, The Unconstitutionality of the Laws of Congress Prohibiting Private Mails (1844) — full text https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/spooner-the-unconstitutionality-of-the-laws-of-congress-prohibiting-private-mails-1844  American Letter Mail Company (Spooner’s private competitor to the U.S. Post) — Overview (Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Letter_Mail_Company Royal Mail — Background & 2013 Privatization (Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Mail  --- Thanks to our patrons—especially Kris Rondolo—for supporting The Curious Task. To join them: https://patreon.com/curioustask  

Matt speaks with Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress Institute) about “technohumanism”—the view that science, technology, and industry are good insofar as they advance human flourishing. They dig into agency vs. accelerationism, why progress creates new problems to solve, and where the next big gains may come from (AI, biotech, nuclear, housing, etc.). References Announcing “The Techno-Humanist Manifesto” — Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress)https://blog.rootsofprogress.org/announcing-the-techno-humanist-manifesto Technohumanism — Overview & Chapters (official project site)https://technohumanist.org/ Roots of Progress (main site / institute)https://rootsofprogress.org/ --- Thanks to our supporters—including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

In this episode, Matt speaks with Rachel Davison Humphries, Senior Director of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Bill of Rights Institute, about how rituals like Halloween can strengthen democracy by building trust and social capital in communities. References “Halloween Treats for Democracy” — Rachel Davison Humphries (Wall Street Journal)https://www.wsj.com/opinion/halloween-treats-for-democracy-c8e861ba  Rachel Davison Humphries — Profile (Bill of Rights Institute)https://oll.libertyfund.org/people/rachel-d-humphries Rachel Davison Humphries on the Bill of Rights Institute and the Importance of Civics Projects — Getting Smart Podcast episodehttps://www.gettingsmart.com/podcast/rachel-davison-humphries-on-the-bill-of-rights-institute-and-the-importance-of-civics-projects/ Democracy in America — Alexis de Tocquevillehttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/815 Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

In this episode, Alex speaks with political researcher Sam Routley about how conservatism is changing in Canada. Drawing on his article “Decoding Canada’s Conservative Coalition” published in The Hub, Routley explains why Canada’s conservative movement has remained more stable than those in other Western democracies, where right-wing politics have undergone dramatic upheavals. They discuss the historical roots of Canada’s “fusionist” conservatism, the economic and cultural shifts driving new tensions between working-class and knowledge-economy voters, and how Pierre Poilievre’s brand of populism fits within Canada’s longstanding political traditions. References: DeepDive: Decoding Canada’s Conservative coalition — Sam Routley (The Hub)https://thehub.ca/2025/09/27/deepdive-decoding-canadas-conservative-coalition/ The Hub Sam Routley — Author Page (The Hub)https://thehub.ca/author/samroutley/ The Hub Stephen Harper embraced pragmatic, incremental change. Does Pierre Poilievre have grander ambitions? — Sam Routley (The Hub)https://thehub.ca/2024/10/11/sam-routley-stephen-harper-embraced-pragmatic-incremental-change-does-pierre-poilievre-have-grander-ambitions/ The Hub Canada’s hard-fought immigration consensus is crumbling before our eyes — Sam Routley (The Hub)https://thehub.ca/2024/04/10/sam-routley-canadas-hard-fought-immigration-consensus-is-crumbling/ The Hub Canada needs new political experts — Sam Routley (The Hub)https://thehub.ca/2023/11/09/sam-routley-canada-needs-new-political-experts/ The Hub How Canada’s Conservatives Should Solve Their Free Trade Confusion — Sam Routley (C2C Journal)https://c2cjournal.ca/2023/07/how-canadas-conservatives-should-solve-their-free-trade-confusion/ C2C Journal Right Here, Right Now: Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption — Stephen J. Harper (Indigo)https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/right-here-right-now-politics-and-leadership-in-the-age-of-disruption/9780771038624.html Indigo ---  Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

In this episode, Alex speaks with journalist and author Andrew Coyne about why Canadian democracy is in crisis. Drawing from his book The Crisis of Canadian Democracy, Coyne explains how the concentration of power in the Prime Minister’s Office, the erosion of cabinet and caucus independence, and the iron grip of party discipline have hollowed out Parliament. They explore electoral reform, regional alienation, and voter disengagement, and discuss why Canada’s institutions now fail to hold leaders accountable. Coyne argues that the issue is systemic: a slow but steady weakening of democratic norms that requires serious institutional repair if Canadian democracy is to endure. References The Crisis of Canadian Democracy — Andrew Coynehttps://a.co/d/49B2UrX Andrew Coyne — Columns (The Globe and Mail)https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/andrew-coyne/ Canada’s Democracy Is in Crisis: Andrew Coyne on GCD #3 — Macdonald-Laurier Institutehttps://macdonaldlaurier.ca/canadas-democracy-is-in-crisis-andrew-coyne-on-gcd-3-in-the-post/ Q&A: MPs ‘Utterly Subservient’ to Leaders — Coyne on Reforming Canada’s Democratic System — The Hill Timeshttps://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/06/26/qa-mps-utterly-subservient-to-leaders-says-andrew-coyne-who-proposes-a-path-away-from-that-anti-democratic-system/465123/ Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

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 Poolehttps://a.co/d/1gu8lWE Robert Poole — Reason Foundation Profilehttps://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 Transportationhttps://enotrans.org/topics/funding-finance/ The Big Roads — Earl Swifthttps://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 Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask

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 Dijkemahttps://comment.org/liberty-equality-disintegration/ “Labor’s Conservative Heart” — Brian Dijkema (American Compass)https://americancompass.org/labors-conservative-heart/ Why Liberalism Failed — Patrick Deneenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Liberalism_Failed “The Ethics of Attention in an Age of Distraction” — Brian Dijkemahttps://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 Magazinehttps://comment.org/contributors/brian-dijkema/ “The Classical Liberal Diaspora” — Michael C. Mungerhttps://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/items/513d2184-ca95-4508-b4ef-f137a03b32f0   Thanks to Our PatronsIncluding Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald.To support The Curious Task, visit: https://patreon.com/curioustask  

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 Hayekhttps://a.co/d/cp4rlD5 The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popperhttps://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  

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. 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 Hubhttps://thehub.ca/author/benwoodfinden/  “Lament for a Nation: The Defeat of Canadian Nationalism” by George Granthttps://a.co/d/d0NQs95  “The Crooked Timber of Humanity” by Isaiah Berlinhttps://a.co/d/6l1wq3d  Thanks to Our PatronsIncluding Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:https://patreon.com/curioustask

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 Elrodhttps://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 Bastiathttps://oll.libertyfund.org/title/bastiat-selected-essays-on-political-economy#lf0181_head_009 The Fun Police – Podcast Series by Bill Wirtzhttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fun-police/id1714265675 World Health Organization – Framework Convention on Tobacco Controlhttps://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:https://patreon.com/curioustask

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/ 

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 

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 Elrodhttps://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 Popperhttps://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/O/bo3619943.html Democratic Education by Amy Gutmannhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7sdfv On Liberty by John Stuart Millhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34901 Taking Responsibility for Children edited by Samantha Brennan and Robert Nogglehttps://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Books/T/Taking-Responsibility-for-Children Thanks to Our PatronsIncluding Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:https://patreon.com/curioustask

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. References “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/ Biography Collection: Ogdensburg Agreement and Canadian Wartime Diplomacy (Dictionary of Canadian Biography)https://www.biographi.ca/en/topics/topic-match-list.php?id=1504 Statute of Westminster (1931) – Recognized Canada’s legislative independence from Britainhttps://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/statute-of-westminster NATO Archives: Canada's Role and Early Involvementhttps://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_161511.htm Canada–U.S. Automotive Products Agreement (Auto Pact)https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canada-us-automotive-products-agreement Lament for a Nation by George Granthttps://a.co/d/bnRI7Rb 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 Thanks to Our Patrons Including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit:https://patreon.com/curioustask

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