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Artwork for Qualified Opinions

Qualified Opinions

Veronique de Rugy
Tariffs
Social Security
Supply and Demand
International Emergency Economic Powers Act
Left-Wing Violence
United States
Trade Policy
Medicaid
Liberalism
Congestion Pricing
Egg Market / Agricultural Prices
Supreme Court
Federal Reserve
Tocqueville, Alexis De
National Security
World Trade Organization
China
Ohio
Right-Wing Violence
Stanford University

Qualified Opinions is an intellectual salon that illuminates the challenges facing free markets, liberalism, and the political climate of today. Join host Veronique de Rugy, a senior fellow at the Mercatus Center, and her guests for enlightening discourse. Qualified Opinions is a production of the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER).

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes59Founded2 years ago
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GovernmentSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Qualified Opinions

Latest Episodes

"The issue is never the issue—the issue is the revolution."

When we talk about political violence in America, the public conversation is overwhelmingly dominated by the threat of the far-right. But is that tracking the whole reality? In this episod... more

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What happens when a fiscal watchdog and a government official start as fierce public rivals and end up as friends?

In this episode of Qualified Opinions, host Veronique de Rugy sits down with her long-time friend Matt Mayer—former Bush administrati... more

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Host Veronique De Rugy is joined by Jessica Melugin, Director of the Center for Technology and Innovation at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The conversation e... more

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Vero is joined by colleagues Rebecca Lowe, a political philosopher, and Henry Oliver, a literary critic, to discuss their new project, The Pursuit of Liberalism.

While the liberal order—built on free markets, free speech, and the rule of law—has de... more

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Recent Guests

Noah Rothman
Author of Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence in America
National Review
Episode: Blood and Progress: Unmasking a Century of Left-Wing Violence with Noah Rothman
Matt Mayer
President of Opportunity Ohio, former head of Homeland Security Grants Office
Opportunity Ohio
Episode: Government Illusions, Free-Market Realities, and the Truth About "Waste, Fraud, and Abuse" with Matt Mayer
Jessica Melugin
Director of the Center for Technology and Innovation at the Competitive Enterprise Institute
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Episode: Horseshoe Theory at the FTC: Regulation, Mergers, and the Future of Antitrust
Rebecca Lowe
Political philosopher
Mercatus Center
Episode: Recovering the Soul of Liberalism
Henry Oliver
Literary critic
Mercatus Center
Episode: Recovering the Soul of Liberalism
Romina Boccia
Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute
Cato Institute
Episode: The Social Security "Lockbox" Myth with Romina Boccia
Luke Foster
Assistant Professor of Government at Hillsdale College (DC campus); co-founder of Academia Tocqueville
Hillsdale College; Academia Tocqueville
Episode: Modern Diplomacy and French Political Thought with Luke Foster
Peter Boettke
Distinguished professor of economics at George Mason University
George Mason University; Mercatus Center
Episode: A Travesty of Economic Ignorance with Peter Boettke
Tom Hoenig
Former president of the Kansas City Fed and vice chair of the FDIC
Mercatus Center
Episode: What's So Great About Fed Independence?

Host

Veronique de Rugy
Host of the show; guides discussion and framing of topics related to liberalism, free markets, and economic policy.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • Love economic truth

    I appreciate the thoughtful in depth discussion on topics that matter and get at the heart of truth, starting with David Bahnsen and the meaning of work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SeekingPilgrim
    United States2 years ago
  • Defying the birth dearth

    Excellent interview and topic. Enjoyed the discussion from both an economic point of view as well as a human point of view. Will definitely be reading this book based on the conversation and even handling of the topic.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tom Tuzak
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Excellent interview with balanced human and economic perspectives.
Thoughtful, in-depth economic discussion on topics that matter.
Accessible yet rigorous critiques that translate policy into real-world impact.
High-quality guests from top think tanks and universities.

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If Books Could KillMichael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Supply and Demand Still Answers Many Policy Questions
Q: Can you explain why supply and demand is such a powerful tool for understanding the world?
The hosts and guest walk through the basic mechanism: prices coordinate supply and demand, regulate incentives, and drive changes in both behavior and production. They illustrate how various policies—such as tariffs, price gouging rules, and congestion pricing—play out predictably within this framework, emphasizing that the real world often aligns with Econ 101 predictions even when headlines suggest complexity.
Supply and Demand Still Answers Many Policy Questions
Q: Why did you want to write this piece?
The author explains that the economics profession is often unfairly depicted as failing, while in reality the core defense of economics lies in its simple, robust Econ 101 framework. He wanted to provide a clear defense of economics against recurring critiques by showing how basic supply and demand, along with price signals, explain many real-world policy outcomes without needing overly complex models.
The Social Security "Lockbox" Myth with Romina Boccia
Q: What lessons can the US learn from other countries about automatic stabilizers?
Other countries implement automatic stabilizers that adjust benefits or eligibility in response to life expectancy and demographic shifts, avoiding abrupt, politically charged changes and helping sustain solvency over time.
The Social Security "Lockbox" Myth with Romina Boccia
Q: How have reforms historically adjusted the retirement age and solvency?
Reforms in 1983 gradually raised the retirement age from 65 to 67, but demographic changes over decades have continued to pressure the system, leading to debates about further adjustments and alternative funding approaches.
The Social Security "Lockbox" Myth with Romina Boccia
Q: Was it why the program was created?
The program originated as a modest anti-poverty initiative designed to assist older Americans who could not rely on family support, but its mechanics evolved into a broader pay-as-you-go system funded by current workers.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Qualified Opinions

What is Qualified Opinions about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, policy-forward show that centers economic liberalism, free markets, and governance. Episodes frequently explore inflation, entitlements, regulatory philosophy, monetary policy, and the interplay between law, economics, and public choice, often featuring economists and policy experts who challenge conventional wisdom with rigorous frameworks. Notable strengths include a consistently clear economic lens, high-caliber guests from top think tanks and universities, and a willingness to critique policy via theory and data. The format tends to be approachable for listeners with interests in public policy, economics, and liberal democratic ideals, and it often balances technical critique with accessible storytelling. A standout trait ... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Qualified Opinions:

1. The Economist Next Door
2. Happy Hour Econ
3. Hayek Program Podcast
4. Capital Record
5. The Capitalism and Freedom in the Twenty-First Century Podcast

How many episodes of Qualified Opinions are there?

Qualified Opinions launched 2 years ago and published 59 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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What guests have appeared on Qualified Opinions?

Recent guests on Qualified Opinions include:

1. Noah Rothman
2. Matt Mayer
3. Jessica Melugin
4. Rebecca Lowe
5. Henry Oliver
6. Romina Boccia
7. Luke Foster
8. Peter Boettke

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