Law, Liberty and the Market Series

A unique course will allow students to explore law, liberty and the market through a series of lectures that bring top minds to Friends University.

The class – which is funded by a grant from the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation – will function as a seminar, giving students the opportunity to hear from writers and thinkers beyond Friends University faculty members. The lectures are free and open to the public.

Spring 2011 Law, Liberty and the Market Symposium

John R. Hays Jr.
8:30 a.m. – Noon
April 8, 2011
Alumni Auditorium, Davis Administration Building

John R. Hays Jr. is a practicing attorney from Austin, Texas, and teaches energy law at the University of Texas. He holds a degree in economics, has conducted graduate work in American studies and holds a law degree from the University of Texas.

The Spring 2011 Symposium will consist of three sessions, all pertaining to the overall theme of “Freedom, Liberty and the Human Spirit.”  Hays will address the questions: Can we have prosperity without freedom? Can we have freedom without prosperity? Why does it matter?

The first session, “Freedom’s Not Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose,” will explore the moral imperatives and virtues of liberty, self-government and free markets. The second session, “Who’s Directing the Show, and How Can it Possibly Work Without a Director?,” will answer the question of whether a belief in free markets is merely an excuse to justify greed over the rationality of social and economic justice sought through government planning. The symposium will culminate with a discussion in session three about “Markets, Liberty and Economic Progress.” Hays will bring the subject matter into context with the current era of global social and political unrest by probing whether market capitalism or despotism is dead.

Attendees wishing to continue the conversation with Mr. Hays may join him for lunch in the Casado Campus Center’s Dining Hall.

The symposium is free and open to the public. Please reserve your seat at 316-295-5526.

Schedule of Events:
8:30 a.m.
Registration – Outside of Alumni Auditorium
   
9-9:50 a.m.
Session One

10-10:50 a.m.
Session Two

11-Noon
Session Three

Noon
Dismissal – Attendees are welcome to join Hays for lunch in the Casado Campus Center Dining Hall

Click here for a campus map.

Past lectures have included:

John R. Hays Jr. Public Lecture
7-9 p.m.
Feb. 2, 2010
Alumni Auditorium
Hays is a practicing attorney from Austin, Texas, and teaches an energy law course at the University of Texas. His lecture – “Reflections on Markets, the Rule of Law, and How the Rules Matter: Some Lessons from Contracts and from Oil, Gas and Energy Law” – will explore the values and principles that make some economies more successful than others.

Dr. Emily Chamlee-Wright Public Lecture
7-9 p.m.
March 2, 2010
Science 100
Dr. Chamlee-Wright will be addressing current events, including the earthquakes in Haiti and the financial crises in the U.S. economy, applying lessons learned about market solutions from her research on the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Using her background in economic development, Dr. Chamlee-Wright will comment on the direction and anticipated effectiveness of current efforts at solving complex social issues.

Dr. Chris Fawson Public Lecture
7-9 p.m.
March 30, 2010
Alumni Auditorium
Dr. Chris Fawson is an economics professor and associate dean of international affairs at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. Dr. Fawson has traveled extensively, and observed and given advice for economic development. He will speak on using market principles to manage under different economic regimes such as Peru, China and Russia.

Dr. Brian Domitrovic Public Lecture
7-9 p.m.
April 20, 2010
MFT 101-102
Dr. Brian Domitrovic holds a doctorate in history from Harvard University with a field in economics. Dr. Domitrovic teaches at the University of Houston and has spoken to audiences across the country. He has recently published “Econoclasts: The Rebels Who Sparked the Supply-Side Revolution and Restored American Prosperity,” the first and only history of supply-side economics. The recent financial crisis has caused one of the most severe economic recessions since the 1930s. Governments around the world have responded with massive fiscal and monetary stimulus. How do these Keynesian policies jibe with history?