THURSDAY, March 19
4:00 p.m.
RESORT TOUR (optional)
Cortijo PlazaTo familiarize yourself with the Montelucia, join us for a tour of the resort
amenities and where our group will be meeting throughout the weekend.
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
EARLY ARRIVALS RECEPTION
Alhambra TerraceIf you are arriving on Thursday, we invite you to join us for an informal
reception.
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
FOUNDERS CIRCLE RECEPTION AND DINNER
For members of our giving societies at Founders Circle level and above.
Castillo Lucena
Leading the Charge
These two stars in our firmament never intended to stand on the sidelines
in the battle for freedom. Helped by Mercatus and IHS as students, they are
now influential scholars, inspiring teachers, and entrepreneurial leaders of
university centers. How did they do it, and what’s next?
Peter Boettke, Mercatus Center and George Mason University
David Schmidtz, University of Arizona Freedom Center
Interviewed by Marty Zupan, Institute for Humane Studies
FRIDAY, March 20
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
EARLY ARRIVALS BREAKFAST
Alhambra AAlready in town? Mosey on down for breakfast, and you’ll be sure to find
other guests and team members.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
IHS and the Mercatus Center: An Overview (optional)
Alhambra BGet the scoop! This pre-Retreat briefing is recommended for new attendees
and those who’d like to hear the latest on our results.
Daniel M. Rothschild, Mercatus Center
Marty Zupan, Institute for Humane Studies
Interviewed by Dan Butler, IHS and Mercatus
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
KICK-OFF LUNCH
Alhambra A
How Ideas Impact Policy
This young Congressman from Michigan is making waves in Washington
by taking a stand for liberty on one issue after another.
Justin Amash, U.S. House of Representatives
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
PLENARY SESSION
Alhambra B
The Future of U.S. Economic Growth
“The shadow of crisis has passed,” declared Obama in his State of the
Union address. Are we in a real recovery? Some observers believe we
are in for years of a plodding economy, others see a future of dynamism
and opportunity. On this question, we offer a lively debate among astute
economists in our network.
Art Carden, Samford University
Tyler Cowen, Mercatus Center and George Mason University
Carrie Kerekes, Florida Gulf Coast University
Adam Thierer, Mercatus Center
Moderated by Katherine Mangu-Ward, Reason
3:00 – 3:50 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS—YOUR CHOICE!
Brought to you by IHS or the Mercatus Center…
Cordoba
Capitalism: Seizing the Moral High Ground (IHS)
We win the case for free enterprise hands down when it comes to
economics—and then our opponents pull out their moral arguments. We,
too, must have moral arguments. This philosophy professor offers advice
on how to make the case for capitalism.
Jason Brennan, Georgetown University
Sevilla
The Path to Better Health: Principles for Reform (Mercatus)
Obamacare is not the answer. What is? Unleashing the power of markets
and innovation can provide better health for more people year after year
without bankrupting the country.
Robert Graboyes, Mercatus Center
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3:00 – 3:50 p.m.
Breaking Through the Campus Orthodoxy (IHS)
Castillo LucenaIt’s not easy to get past the gatekeepers of political correctness and foster
a true marketplace of ideas on college campuses. IHS is doing just that
with a rapidly expanding set of on-campus programs. Hear students and
professors report from the frontlines.
Art Carden, Samford University
Anna Chorniy, Princeton University
James P. Messina, University of California-San Diego
Moderated by Jennifer Thompson, Institute for Humane Studies
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS—YOUR CHOICE!
Brought to you by IHS or the Mercatus Center…
Sevilla
The Greatest Threat to Capitalism (Mercatus)
For centuries, pundits, politicians, and philosophers have warned of the
power of special interests. This is the real threat to capitalism. Defeating the
power of special interests is essential—and doable if we’re smart about it.
Veronique de Rugy, Mercatus Center
Matthew Mitchell, Mercatus Center
Cordoba
If We Don’t Teach Freedom Effectively, We Lose (IHS)
Economic lessons in the animated TV show “The Simpsons”? Yes, that’s
right. Entrepreneurial professors in the IHS network are innovating to use
popular culture, the latest online technology, and more to teach freedom
effectively. Meet one of the leaders, and see how it works.
Joshua Hall, West Virginia University
Interviewed by Jennifer Thompson, Institute for Humane Studies
Castillo Lucena
50 States, 50 Laboratories for Reform (Mercatus)
States offer a unique opportunity to develop the case for market-based
policies. Hear how one policy entrepreneur drove bold public-sector pension
reforms in his state and beyond. What reforms are coming to your state,
thanks to Mercatus partnering with Mercatus and state-based scholars?
Scott Beaulier, Arizona State University
Maurice McTigue, Mercatus Center
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WELCOME RECEPTION AND DINNER
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Honoring Patrick Byrne, Mercatus Entrepreneur’s Circle member
Alhambra Terrace What Would Tocqueville Think of America Today?
& AlhambraFrench political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville visited America in the 1830s
and famously observed a uniquely self-reliant people and thriving civil
society. An acclaimed commentator in our own time considers how far
America has strayed from its sturdy beginnings—and why. His answer
points to the critical importance of ideas if we are to save our country.
George F. Will, America’s foremost political columnist, best-selling
author, and Fox News contributor
SATURDAY, March 21
8:00 – 9:15 a.m.
BREAKFAST
Alhambra A
We’re Winning! Here’s Why
Intellectual entrepreneurs like Milton Friedman and F.A. Hayek won great
victories. It took time, and it took people willing to fight for good ideas.
Today, we have the people and we have the ideas to gain more ground.
Veronique de Rugy, Mercatus Center
Comment by Scott Beaulier, IHS Board Member
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
PLENARY SESSION
Alhambra B
Online Education: Now Reaching Millions of Students!
See how IHS and Mercatus are embracing today’s technology to reach
millions of students, open their eyes to the power of freedom, and activate
them to become champions of liberty.
Scott Barton, Institute for Humane Studies
Don Boudreaux, George Mason University and Mercatus Center
Carrie Conko, Mercatus Center
Moderated by Chad Thevenot, Institute for Humane Studies
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS—YOUR CHOICE!
Brought to you by IHS or the Mercatus Center…
Cordoba
How We Will Outgrow Copyright (IHS)
You probably break the law every day. Copyright law. It was supposed
to be a simple mechanism for stimulating creativity, but it’s become a
massive regulatory threat to free expression. There are ways we can save
ourselves, though, notes this expert on intellectual property.
Tom W. Bell, Chapman University
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10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Deadline 2016: Saving Social Security Disability Insurance (Mercatus)
SevillaFor years, policymakers have avoided reforms to fix the troubled finances
of our entitlement programs. Unless they act, the Social Security disability
trust fund will run out of money in 2016. Learn how Mercatus would
reform the program and Social Security as a whole.
Jason Fichtner, Mercatus Center
Angela Kuck, Mercatus Center
Castillo Lucena
Overcoming Threats to Free Speech on Campus (IHS)
These days, it’s not just ideas of freedom that are under attack in the
academy, it’s also freedom itself—the freedom to debate and discuss,
which should be the hallmark of higher education. But clever approaches
can overcome this threat, even on the most politically correct campuses.
John Tomasi, Brown University
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Digging into the IHS Vision and Strategy (IHS)
Alhambra BOur vision at IHS is to turn around America’s colleges and universities. It’s
a daunting challenge. Come check out the game plan, learn what your
investment buys, and offer your input to help turn around our country.
Marty Zupan, President & CEO
Chad Thevenot, Executive Director
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
LUNCH
Honoring Bernie Marcus, IHS Baldy Harper Circle member
Alhambra A
Doomsayers versus the Power of Markets
People continually underestimate the ability of humans to solve problems
in a market environment. Why is that? And what are the implications for
public policy? The author of “Willpower” and “The Best-Case Scenario
Handbook” offers insights.
John Tierney, best-selling author and New York Times columnist
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Essential Ingredient: You
Alhambra BWithout you, ideas are just words. You play a fundamental role in the work
of the Mercatus Center in 2015. Come hear how you are the secret sauce in
transforming policy, changing how economics is taught in the classroom,
and introducing millions of people to free-market economics.
Peter Boettke, George Mason University and Mercatus Center
Tyler Cowen, Mercatus Center and George Mason University
Daniel M. Rothschild, Senior Vice President & COO
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2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CONCURRENT OPTIONAL DISCUSSION GROUPS—YOUR CHOICE!
Brought to you by IHS or Mercatus...
Sevilla
What’s Holding Back Economic Recovery? (Mercatus)
What are the looming threats to a more robust recovery? Join two
Mercatus scholars for an in-depth discussion of government spending,
entitlements, taxes, and whether reform options will take hold in
Washington.
Hosts:
Veronique de Rugy, Mercatus Center
Jason Fichtner, Mercatus Center
Cordoba
Bringing Liberty to College Campuses (IHS)
What challenges face professors who want to advance the ideas of
freedom? What works? And what can you do about a campus near and
dear to you? Consider these questions with two professors who’ve been in
the trenches, building freedom centers at their universities.
Hosts:
Scott Beaulier, Arizona State University
John Tomasi, Brown University
Alhambra Foyer
Reversing the Keynesian Culture (Mercatus)
Keynesian thinking is conventional wisdom throughout the social sciences.
We must reverse the Keynesian avalanche and launch a Hayekian
landslide—a process that’s well underway. Discuss progress and prospects
with two leading scholars.
Hosts:
Peter Boettke, George Mason University and Mercatus Center
Tyler Cowen, Mercatus Center and George Mason University
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
RECEPTION AND DINNER
Outstanding IHS Alum Award Presentation
Alhambra Terracea
What Piketty Doesn’t Know
& AlhambraRising income inequality is fueling fierce political and economic debates,
but one important angle hasn’t been explored much: What market forces
might limit or reverse the trend?
Tyler Cowen, Mercatus Center and George Mason University
SUNDAY, March 22
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Castillo Lucena
FAREWELL BRUNCH
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