This is a thread for videos of great debates.
I will start the bidding with Gnome Chomsky wiping the floor with that pusillanimous chief apologist for the state Buckley.
Interesting idea.
Peter Schiff’s had some good ones:
May 2007 Peter Schiff Bulls & Bears Debate Part 1 of 5
Peter Schiff debates David Epstein of Columbia University – Nov 11 2009
Peter Schiff Debates Doug Henwood on the Stimulus
UCLA Econ Debate - Peter Schiff, David Rosnick, and Roger Farmer
would if i could post a video straight on here… don’t send the link of the newbies page instructing how to it doesn’t help me.
Two of the greatest debates I’ve ever seen- and in musical form as well!
Here is a debate between libertarians Ron Paul & Doug Casey vs. conservatives Larry Abraham & Dinesh D’Souza on foreign policy.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Back when I was a neo-con, Part 6 was the one that really helped slap me awake. I saw that Paul just owned Dinesh, who I was a follower of at the time. Paul’s summary of Robert Pape’s book blew me away because it gave a different reason for why suicide terrorism exists besides a crazy belief in radical Islam, which is the only explanation I had heard up to that time. His summary was such a good response that I memorized it and shared it with whoever would listen. I have often wished that Paul would debate like he does here in part 6 in the Republican debates:
GMU Econ Society Debate: Separation of Health & State
Walter Block v A Room Full Of Statists
Walter Block spends half an hour making the case for privatizing roads and highways, then answers questions about it. The subsequent debate and discussion goes off on tangents, with Block giving an excellent, pithy description of a private law society to an audience utterly unfamiliar with the idea. (This wider discussion begins at 37:20).
How Much Government Is Necessary? - Stefan Molyneux v Michael Badnarik
An epic debate between Stefan Molyneux of Freedomain Radio and Michael Badnarik, 2004 Libertarian Presidential Candidate on the question ‘How Much Government is Necessary?’ Molyneux argues the anarchist position that no government is necessary. Badnarik defends the minarchist view that a small government, limited by a constitution, is necessary.
Resolved: It is Smart to get a PhD in Economics - Walter Block v Gary North
Walter Block argues in favor of the resolution. Gary North argues against.
I was going to post this. I don’t think Badnarik really has any argument or that he logically addresses anything Molyneux puts forth, or that the debate is of much value except learning how to speak/perform persuasively in public. Molyneux delivers one of the most brilliant performances of public speaking and opposing another public speaker I have ever witnessed; its a great bonus that he is defending anarchism. I think there is a lot to challenge Molyneux on philosophically and regarding his manipulating people for money, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen a better public performance as far as being captivating and persuasive (truth or falsity of his ideas notwithstanding).
Also, this thread is much needed.
Debate: Government Spending Can Play an Important Role in Boosting Economic Growth
Karl Smith vs. Robert P. Murphy
Seen a LOT of debates. None as gripping as this:
Why Do Economists Disagree?
featuring Joseph Salerno, Jeffrey Miron, Graciela Chichilnisky, and Robert H. Frank (moderator)
The introductions of the panel start at 4:25, the actual discussion starts at 9:30.
(I will warn you…there are a lot of abhorrent notions put forth in this discussion (particularly by the moderator…which, what exactly makes him a moderator in this discussion I’m not sure), and Salerno doesn’t talk near enough to even begin to balance out the discussion. I was actually quite disappointed at how silent he was. And in the few times he did speak, I don’t think he did enough to actually present the opposing understanding. However it was refreshing and promising to see at least two Austrians from the audience come to the microphone.)
Isn’t Gnome Chomsky a severe statist?
Depends on how you define “statist”. I think Noam Chomsky would be fine with the label “anarcho-syndicalist”…which…
Anarcho-Syndicalism: A Recipe for Ruin
At the very least relative to Buckley. Chomsky is more of a statist than him.
Simply skimming the first tlink, it seems almost like anarcho-communism.