Despite the fundamental distinction between the two, misunderstandings of capitalism and socialism — and their implications for freedom — abound, and usually in favor socialism. In these circumstances, a return to the basics is warranted. The 17th-century writings of John Locke in defense of political and economic freedom and the 19th- century critique by Karl Marx of political and economic freedom represent classics of the genre. 

The Hoover Institution hosted its annual Board of Overseers’ summer meeting during July 9–11, 2013.

The program began on Tuesday evening with before-dinner remarks by Paul D. Clement, a partner at Bancroft PLLC. Clement served as the forty-third solicitor general of the United States from June 2005 until June 2008. He has argued more than sixty-five cases before the US Supreme Court. During Clement’s speech, titled “Federalism in the Roberts Court,” he talked about the revitalization of federalism in the Rehnquist court “imposing some limits on the federal government’s power vis-a-vis the states.”

Discussing whether Ben Bernanke is good for the markets, with Donald Luskin, Trend Macro; Peter Navarro, University of California and John Taylor, Stanford University. . . .

Richard Epstein the Peter and Kirsten Bedford Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, considers the case for a Balanced Budget Amendment, how to get Washington's spending habits under control, and the difficulties inherent in amending the Constitution.

How well did our leaders handle the financial crisis? . . .

Thomas Sowell details the pitfalls of New Deal thinking...

John Taylor describes what the government should and should not do in response to the financial crisis...

How well are our leaders — including Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke — managing the aftermath of the financial crisis? . . .

Law professor Todd Zywicki of George Mason University is composing a book, Bankruptcy Law and Policy in the Twenty-First Century, in which Zywicki picks a couple of fascinating fights...