To be economically literate requires neither formal training nor advanced study. For those with the inclination, the most valuable economic principles can be understood with just a little nurturing of the so-called “economic way of thinking.”

What if our standard poverty relief efforts don’t work or, even more, make things worse for the materially poor? This talk will consider how recognizing the inherent dignity and value of each person can help us partner in development of individuals and communities for sustainable well-being.

Nobel Laureate economist F. A. Hayek is often recognized as author of the popular The Road to Serfdom or for his 20th-century opposition to interventionist John Maynard Keynes. This is an introduction to some of the main contributions of Hayek’s prolific career, many with direct relevance to people of faith.

Though an avowed agnostic, Hayek was an admirer of religion, morality, and tradition for their roles in making the most of limited human nature. His keen observations of what Christians would consider the created order and evolving cultural institutions readily  intersect with traditional Christian theology and contemporary issues of interest to the church including wealth and poverty, family and local community, the role of the state, and economic, political, and religious liberty.

Where policy is concerned, good intentions do not guarantee the desired outcomes. Examples can be found in minimum wage legislation, mandated paid parental leave, ban-the-box legislation, even approaches to sweatshop labor, and many aspects of education, healthcare, and workforce development.

The political climate around criminal justice is no longer predominately “tough on crime” but instead emphasizes “smart justice.” What do economic theory and data reveal about how we can safeguard public safety while stewarding public resources and recognizing the inherent dignity of former offenders?

What do people usually mean when they reference the apparent monolith “globalization?” Basic economics points to a number of potential drawbacks but also some significant benefits, particularly for the global poor.

For many decades, U.S. public policy has been involved in specific skills training of workers, whether through funding or direct provision. Even now when unemployment rates are low, state and local governments persist in these efforts. This lecture can focus on perceived needs (e.g., the “skills gap”), typical training strategies, and/or what we know about the consequences of government involvement in this sector.

• “Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom” – This discussion-based seminar aims to understand Hayek’s argument against central planning but also his support of the rule of law, international trade, economic, political, and religious liberty, even some regulation and a universal basic income.
• “From Smith to Friedman: Free Market Economics” – Drawing on reading selections from Smith, Bastiat, Mill, Mises, Hayek and Friedman, this discussion aims to understand the timeless arguments for free exchange and markets.