Programs > Classical Liberalism and The Market

Classical Liberalism and The Market

This seminar is designed for undergraduate and early graduate students with an interest in the intersection of classical liberalism and market principles. Participants will delve into the voluntary foundations of classical liberal ideas and see how these concepts apply to the world of markets, illustrated with insights from entrepreneurs, market leaders, and influential economists like Adam Smith, F.A. Hayek, and Milton Friedman.

Unlike traditional market-oriented approaches, this seminar explores how accounting, marketing, management, and finance function within a classical liberal framework. Here, we focus on how these business disciplines contribute to individual freedom, voluntary exchange, and minimal government intervention. The market serves as a decentralized platform for free interaction between individuals and businesses, encouraging innovation, competition, and efficient resource allocation without heavy regulatory oversight.

Scholars from the University of Illinois Springfield and Chicago, Wabash College, AIER, and other institutions will lead the discussions.

Co-sponsored by the Academy On Capitalism, The Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism at Wabash College, and AIER.