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Artwork for The Libertarian
Donald Trump
Israel
Hamas
Supreme Court
Iran
FCC
Columbia University
Biden Administration
International Law
Media Regulation
First Amendment
Trump Administration
Jimmy Kimmel
Censorship
Putin
Free Speech
Joe Biden
Chicago Teachers Union
Daniel Kahneman
Behavioral Economics

The inimitable Richard Epstein offers his unique perspective on national developments in public policy and the law. The Libertarian is a podcast of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes101Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsHistoryPolitics

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Artwork for The Libertarian

Latest Episodes

Charles C. W. Cooke and Richard Epstein break down the Supreme Court’s latest Voting Rights Act decision, examining how the ruling in Louisiana v. Callais narrows the use of race in redistricting and marks a turning point in election law. Epstein arg... more

Richard Epstein examines the unfolding U.S. confrontation with Iran through both a strategic and constitutional lens, arguing that President Trump’s approach reflects a deeper tension between military necessity and political constraint. Epstein conte... more

A Los Angeles jury has handed down a verdict stating that Meta and Google are held liable for a young woman’s psychological harm allegedly linked to social media use—along with a $6 million damages award. But what legal theory could possibly justify ... more

Richard Epstein takes aim at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push for rent control and higher inheritance taxes, arguing that both policies punish landlords, shrink housing supply, and ultimately drive wealth—and people—out of the state. From empty apartm... more

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Recent Guests

Richard Epstein
Law professor; libertarian hawk
University of Chicago (and longtime scholar)
Episode: Iran, Regime Change, and the War Powers Act

Hosts

Charles C. W. Cook
Host associated with the Libertarian program, frequently described as part of the Civitas Institute network.
Richard Epstein
Renowned Constitutional scholar and frequent co-host, recognized for libertarian-leaning legal analysis.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Good Sense But…

    RICHARD, as usual this is a good discussion. However, you mentioned Trump gratuitously, and you never linked it back to any part of your argument. Your TDS is showing through!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Biden is a Good man?!
    United Statesa month ago
  • Pure wisdom

    Pure wisdom in every episode on timely topics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SoCalCuster
    United States7 months ago
  • A walking, talking, legal eagle

    The most plain-spoken authority on all things constitutional. Simply love to listen to Epstein, and it makes me very happy to see that he’s returned; this time a guest on his own podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    atypical_user
    United States9 months ago
  • I miss this podcast

    I hope Richard is coming back.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigHaakDaddyAloha
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good show

    I’m not us citizen, and not even major in law. But I listen to Libertarian whenever the new episode is on. Really enjoy the discussions between Prof. Richard Epstein and the host on various topics.

    The show has not been updated since Dec, 2024. Not sure what’s happening. Hope all is well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fan of libertarian
    Taiwana year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans miss episodes when irregularly released or paused.
Listeners praise the rigorous, policy-forward analysis.
The host-and-guest dynamic is seen as a strong hub for libertarian-leaning discourse.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Half-War
Q: What do you think of President Trump's strategy in executing our policy in Iran and where we are currently?
Epstein criticizes the strategy as flawed, arguing that air power alone cannot achieve decisive victory and that a combination of ground action and strategic diplomacy is necessary, while also questioning the domestic political constraints and how they shape the decision-making process.
The Slippery Slope of Social Media Liability
Q: Richard, first off, what is happening here? There's no law that allows people to seek damages in this manner, and Section 230, at least, I thought, was supposed to stop this.
Epstein explains the case is likely grounded in common law claims about providing deadly information and that liability could hinge on whether the platform is a content producer or a transmitter, with ongoing debates about the applicability of Section 230 and the need for private rights of action to address perceived gaps in regulation.
Tax the Rich . . . Until They Leave: Mamdani and Rent Control
Q: Richard, that was one of your most pessimistic answers. Do you think it will all work out?
I don't think it's predetermined to fail, but there are powerful forces resisting reform, and the outcome depends on political choices and strategic actions in the next year or two.
Trump’s War on Narco Boats
Q: Can Congress pass laws to empower the president to deal with narco-terrorism in compliance with international law?
Congress can authorize actions, but they must be consistent with international law, and currently, there's no direct threat that justifies such measures.
Trump’s War on Narco Boats
Q: What authority does the executive branch have to engage with vessels accused of narco-terrorism?
The executive branch lacks authority unless there's an actual direct threat to the United States; actions taken without such a threat violate international law.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Libertarian

What is The Libertarian about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A libertarian-leaning policy and legal analysis show anchored by a distinguished legal scholar and a seasoned interviewer. Episodes routinely dissect current events through constitutional and economic lenses, focusing on government power, regulatory policy, and the implications of legal frameworks on everyday life. Notable strengths include rigorous logic, deep dives into precedent, and a willingness to challenge mainstream assumptions, often featuring high-profile debates on war powers, media regulation, and taxation. For potential listeners, the program offers dense, idea-forward discussions that reward careful listening and appreciation for constitutional and libertarian viewpoints, with occasional guests who bring complementary expertis... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Libertarian:

1. Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke
2. Uncommon Knowledge
3. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
4. Cato Podcast
5. The McCarthy Report

How many episodes of The Libertarian are there?

The Libertarian launched 11 years ago and published 101 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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