Ideas & Liberty
Ideas & Liberty
The Institute of Public Affairs examines the philosophical and moral case for liberty. By situating current political, economic and social debate in the history of Australian and international liberalism, it is possible to shed new light on the questions of today. The Institute of Public Affairs approaches political debate firmly grounded with an appreciation of entrepeneurship, civil liberties, individual responsiblity and free markets.
Sub-topics of Ideas & Liberty
Publications
Coalition must withdraw referendum support - or be complicit in rigging democracy
"The federal Coalition must immediately withdraw its support for the local government referendum. If it does not it will be complicit with the Gillard government's plans to rig Australian democracy", said John Roskam, Executive Director of the...
When Everything Was Going Wrong: Britain in the Seventies
Almost everything in 1970s Britain seemed to be failing. Its industrial economy was in steep decline, crippled by strikes and excessive wage demands. Inflation peaked at over 30 per cent and unemployment reached its highest level since the War....
A tribute to James Buchanan
Last month one of the iconic figures of twentieth century classical liberalism, James McGill Buchanan, passed away aged 93. Buchanan has been rightly credited for his leading role in forging the ‘public choice' approach to political...
The war on democracy
In 1953 a bitter Bertolt Brecht wrote, 'Would it not be easier / In that case for the government / To dissolve the people / And elect another?' With these lines, Brecht brilliantly captured the dripping contempt that some purportedly 'democratic'...
The Biggest Vested Interest of All: How Government Lobbies to Restrict Individual Rights and Freedom
The Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan wrote in The Monthly in March 2012 that: Australia's fair go is today under threat from a new source. To be blunt, the rising power of vested interests is undermining our equality and threatening our democracy. But...
IPA FreedomWatch Factsheet: The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012
The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012 makes a number of significant changes to anti-discrimination law in Australia.
Delingpole Press Council ruling shows threat to free speech
The Australian Press Council's ruling against an article by journalist James Delingpole is yet another example of why the APC cannot be trusted with statutory powers, says John Roskam, executive director of the free market think tank, the...
A 'nudge' in the wrong direction
Like many sinister concepts, the idea of governments ‘nudging' people may seem on first glance somewhat innocuous. Rather than relying on coercion such as using bans, fines and regulation to achieve social change, nudge employs a supposedly...
The economics of food
Have you ever not ordered something at a restaurant because it had strange ingredients, and ordered the roast chicken instead? Ever tried a restaurant because the social vibe of the place made you think it would be a great night out? They're safe...
The big government merry-go-round
Unintentional self-parody has long being a forte of governments around the world. Yet a movement in recent years to create multi-layered government and quasi-governmental agencies, each existing simply to lobby each other to in turn lobby other...
