Category:Civil Liberties
Rise of the Mockingjay: From Ferguson to Hong Kong
November 18, 2014 | Video
In the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen becomes the Mockingjay–a symbol of hope and rebellion for the people of Panem. In today’s world, where new technology enables government surveillance and censorship, citizens are able to fight back by using that same technology to organize and rebel against abuse of power. Both in the fictional dystopia of […]
Can Cops Search Your Cell Phone?
August 26, 2014 | Video
You’re at a party. The police show up. The next thing you know, a cop is asking to see your cell phone. What do you do? If you don’t know your rights, you could be putting yourself – and your future – at risk. In this must-see video, Professor Josh Blackman details the ways in […]
What’s Next in the Battle over NSA Surveillance?
March 13, 2014 | Video
Edward Snowden’s leaks of National Security Agency (NSA) methods has sparked a national debate about the legality of such surveillance. This program, led by a constitutional law professor, joined by national security experts from across the political spectrum, will focus on the legality of surveillance. The program will explore the meaning of individual privacy, its […]
Does the NSA Violate Your Constitutional Rights?
September 12, 2013 | Video
Many Americans do not know what their constitutional freedoms are or why they were established in the first place. The freedoms Americans have are rare and fragile. They were put in place to protect people and ensure our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Professor James Otteson explains the importance of the […]
Freedom Requires Whistleblowers: The Importance of Transparency
August 23, 2013 | Video
Are you concerned about the activities government agencies are engaging in? Does it bother you to think the government is spying on you? If not, what reason do you have to be complacent? Professor James Otteson says we may feel secure today because we know we haven’t done anything wrong. But this is short-sighted. The […]
No Means No: The NSA, Edward Snowden, and Privacy
August 16, 2013 | Video
When Edward Snowden revealed to the world that the National Security Agency (NSA) and other agencies were looking into the lives of every American, many people were shocked. While claiming to protect us from crime and terrorism, says Professor James Otteson, the government has been recording every digital transmission we make. They are keeping a […]
A Professor’s Argument for Same-Sex Marriage
June 28, 2013 | Video
Should same-sex couples be permitted to marry? Are civil unions or domestic partnerships sufficient? What kind of effect does same-sex marriage have on heterosexual marriage? Do the children of same-sex couples face undue challenges because of their parents? These questions have all been raised in the ongoing debate about gay marriage. Professor Dale Carpenter makes […]
The Marriage Cases: Legal Challenges to Prop 8 and DOMA
June 3, 2013 | Video
The 14th Amendment guarantees liberty and equal protection to every American. Do state laws prohibiting same-sex marriage violate that amendment? Is the federal government’s refusal to recognize a marriage that is legal in a state federal overreach? The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide the answers to these questions by the end of June […]
Smoking Bans: Banning Freedom
February 21, 2012 | Video
According to Prof. Aeon Skoble, smoking bans are on the rise in America. At first glance, this trend seems to stage a battle of rights. The smoker claims to have the right to smoke, while the nonsmoker claims the right to clean air in “public” places such as restaurants and bars. In an important way, […]
Markets in Kidneys: A Moral Case
November 21, 2011 | Video
Prof. James Stacey Taylor argues that willing rational adults should be allowed to buy and sell kidneys. Instead of providing complex theoretical arguments, one can look at the human stories to see why markets in kidneys should be allowed. Peter Randall, for instance, became famous in 2003 for offering his kidney for sale on eBay. […]
Liberty, Security, and the TSA
November 9, 2011 | Video
According to Professor James Otteson, there is a trade-off between liberty and security. Consider the recent procedures instituted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the name of defending us against terrorism. Are these procedures too invasive? This is a fairly difficult question to answer. We all have different tolerances for risk. Car crashes cause […]
Equality & Respect: How I’m Equal to Hugh Jackman
November 2, 2011 | Video
According to the Declaration of Independence, we’re all created equal. But Professor Aeon Skoble is not as rich as Bill Gates, as tough as Vin Diesel, or as sexy as Hugh Jackman. To Professor Skoble, the Declaration intends for us all to be treated equally before the law. Put another way, we should all have […]
Human Dignity and the Freedom to Choose
October 28, 2011 | Video
Prof. James Otteson describes how the freedom to choose is a crucial element of human dignity. Part of what makes us human is having free will and the freedom to choose. Therefore, if you are to respect people as moral agents, you will abstain from restricting other individual’s choices. This principle is especially applicable when […]
What Would It Take For You To Fight For Your Liberty?
September 26, 2011 | Video
Prof. James Otteson believes it is extremely important to think about what it would take for you to fight for your liberty. Liberty is a fragile gift, and if this question remains ignored, our liberty will likely diminish.
Economic Vs. Civil Liberties
September 21, 2011 | Video
Which are more important, economic liberties or civil liberties? The conventional view portrays conservatives as caring more about economic liberties than civil liberties. Liberals, on the other hand, are conventionally viewed as caring about civil liberties more than economic liberties. To Prof. Aeon Skoble, this distinction between economic and civil liberties is fictitious. The influence […]
Liberty & Security
June 29, 2011 | Video
How should we think about the tradeoff between liberty and security? Prof. James Otteson of Yeshiva University argues that a basic amount of security is critical to protect our lives, liberty, and property. Beyond this minimal amount, there is a tradeoff between liberty and security. Some liberty must be given up if we want the […]
Liberty & Virtue
June 29, 2011 | Video
Does a free society encourage immoral behavior? Prof. James Otteson of Yeshiva University argues that moral or virtuous behavior can only grow in a climate of individual liberty. The decisions individuals make can only be called virtuous if they are made freely, without compulsion by someone else. Individuals will make mistakes and may sometimes act […]
Are We Safe Yet? A Framework for Assessing Security Regulation
May 9, 2011 | Video
From the IHS Vault: Dr. Jerry Ellig of the Mercatus Center gives a general framework for analyzing regulation, and then applies that framework to laws enforced by the Dept. of Homeland Security. He stresses that this type of analysis is important in gauging the effectiveness of regulation, but is too often ignored.