Cato Podcast Offers You’d Better Not Refuse
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Aug 7, 2025 Joined by Jeffrey Miron, a Harvard professor known for his libertarian views, and Emily Ekins, Director of Polling at the Cato Institute, the discussion dives into Trump’s pressure tactics on elite universities and the Federal Reserve. They analyze the implications of such strongarm politics, questioning whether it could deepen institutional politicization or signal a shift in presidential power. Additionally, they explore public opinion on Social Security reform and the need for accountability in climate policy, shedding light on recent libertarian successes.
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No Perfect Monetary Control Solution
- Economists broadly agree an independent central bank is better to prevent political interference in monetary policy.
- Yet presidential pressure is unavoidable and monetary policy is inherently political.
Government Pressure Risks Backfire
- Short-term gains from government pressure on universities may backfire long-term by expanding state power over speech.
- Government policing of speech risks targeting supporters' own views in future political cycles.
Federal Funds Enable University Control
- Government funding gives federal power to control universities, risking politicization of academia.
- Universities might reduce federal funding to regain autonomy but still face other governmental pressures.
