Programs > Seminar Series in Classical Liberalism

Classical Liberalism and Public Policy Seminar

This seminar is designed for undergraduate and early-stage graduate students interested in how classical liberal principles shape public policy. Participants will explore the intellectual foundations of classical liberalism and examine how its core ideas, individual liberty, limited government, voluntary cooperation, and the rule of law, inform policymaking.

Drawing on the works of major thinkers, including John Locke, Adam Smith, F.A. Hayek, James Buchanan, Elinor Ostrom, and contemporary scholars, the seminar will investigate how public policy can either support or hinder the spontaneous order and decentralized decision-making emphasized by classical liberalism. Through case studies and discussion-based sessions, students will analyze real-world policy issues, considering how classical liberal ideas apply to modern challenges in government, markets, and society.

Faculty from West Virginia University, University of Illinois Springfield, Wabash College, AIER, and other institutions will guide participants as they connect theoretical insights to practical policy debates.

Co-sponsored by the Knee Center at West Virginia University, The Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism, and AIER.

 

Classical Liberalism and Business Seminar

This seminar is tailored for undergraduate and early-stage graduate students interested in the intersection of classical liberalism and business. We will explore the voluntary nature of classical liberal principles and their application to the business world, using examples from businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and renowned economists such as Adam Smith, F.A. Hayek, and Milton Friedman. Unlike typical business courses, this seminar focuses on how accounting, marketing, management, and finance operate within a classical liberal framework.

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, and AIER.

 

The Seminar in Classical Liberalism

Join us for an engaging seminar exploring the origins and applications of classical liberalism, both in theory and practice. We will examine key ideas from thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, Adam Smith, F.A. Hayek, Milton Friedman, and others, alongside contemporary classical liberals such as Deirdre McCloskey, Robert Higgs, and James Otteson. Through these discussions, we will uncover how classical liberal principles influence individual freedoms and societal organization, with a focus on public policy and governance.

Co-sponsored by The Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism and AIER.

 

 

Classical Liberalism and The Market Seminar

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, and AIER.