George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Forum on the Economic & Legal Foundations of Capitalism, with Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith; Cosponsored with the Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy


Event Details

  • Date:
  • Venue: Surf & Sand Resort
  • Division: The Henry G. Manne Program in Law & Economics Studies, The Judicial Education Program

Forum on the Economic & Legal Foundations of Capitalism, with Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith 
Cosponsored with the Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy

In the rush to solve complex emerging problems, there is always a risk of forgetting simple truths and fundamental insights from the past that are still critically relevant today. The Forum revisited the legal, economic, and philosophical insights from legends of capitalism, the Rule of Law, and economic liberties – including Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, and Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith – and explored how their time-tested understanding of these fundamental principles applied to current problems and concerns. This discussion was critically important as fierce debates are raging in modern public and legal discourse on the future and meaning of capitalism, corporate purpose, and the sustainability of the Rule of Law.

The agenda featured leading law professors, economists, political scientists, and historians and included breakout sessions moderated by LEC CapLaw Scholars.

Please see below for the video recording of each lecture from this event!

Classical Theory of Human Action in Society and Economy: Sentiments to Property to Wealth

Vernon L. Smith, Nobel Laureate, Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, 2002 George L. Argyros Endowed Chair in Finance and Economics; Economic Science Institute and Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy, George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics Professor of Economics and Law, Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University

How to Read Adam Smith

Bart J. Wilson, Donald P. Kennedy Chair in Economics and Law
George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics and Dale E. Fowler School of Law; Director, Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy Chapman University

Interview with Nobel Laureate Dr. Vernon L. Smith on the Future of the Intellectual Defense of Capitalism

Interviewer: Donald J. Kochan, Professor of Law & Deputy Executive Director Law & Economics Center, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

The Continuing Significance of Milton Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom and of Milton and Rose Friedman’s Free to Choose

David R. Henderson, Research Fellow, Hoover Institution; Emeritus Professor of Economics, Naval Postgraduate School

The Continuing Significance of Friedrich Hayek’s Law, Legislation & Liberty

Donald J. Boudreaux, Senior Fellow, F. A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Martha and Nelson Getchell Chair for the Study of Free Market Capitalism, Mercatus Center Professor of Economics, George Mason University

Attacks on Capitalism: Politics, Movements, and the Perversion of First Principles

Todd J. Zywicki, George Mason University Foundation Professor of Law George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, Senior Fellow, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, Cato Institute