GUEST SPEAKER
Peter Thiel 

ISSUES DISCUSSED
Peter Thiel spoke about the basic principles that underlie innovative products and startup firms, using examples from his own experience starting up firms such as Paypal and Palantir. 
He  emphasized the importance of creating a firm or product with characteristics of monopoly, and contrasted that idea with the distinction between monopoly and competition taught in economics. He also spoke more broadly about the future of technology and its impact on economic growth in developed countries. He answered questions about his ideas applied to clean-tech and ed-tech firms. 

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 28, 2026
"Inside China's Secret Prisons: An Undercover Exposé and it's Lasting Legacy"
Inside China's Secret Prisons: An Undercover Exposé And It's Lasting Legacy
The Hoover Institution Program on the US, China, and the World invites you to "Inside China's Secret Prisons: An Undercover Exposé and it's Lasting… Shultz Auditorium, George P. Shultz Building
Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Hoover Institution George P. Shultz Memorial Lecture Series
The Hoover Institution is pleased to announce the third and final memorial event in honor of former Secretary of State and Hoover Distinguished… Shultz Auditorium, George P. Shultz Building
Friday, October 2, 2026
Democracy Without Shelter: How Mongolia Holds The Line
You are coordially invited to a fireside chat on Democracy Without Shelter: How Mongolia Holds the Line with Elbegdorj Tsakhia and H.R. McMaster on… Hauck Auditorium, David and Joan Traitel Building
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