Hillsdale College, in conjunction with the Acton Institute and the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, launched its Center for the Study of Monetary Systems and Free Enterprise. As part of its educational mission, the Center administers two programs to promote understanding and appreciation of free market systems: the Free Market Forum and the Visiting Speakers Program.
As its inaugural event, in the fall of 2006 the College hosted the first Free Market Forum on “The Role of Markets and Governments in Pursuing the Common Good.” The program included presentations by Rev. Robert Sirico of the Acton Institute, Richard Epstein of the University of Chicago Law School, and author George Gilder. In addition, four panel discussions covered a wide range of topics that incorporated free market strategies:
* The Rise of the U.S. to Economic Superpower
* The Great Depression and the New Deal
* The Role of the Federal Reserve
* Globalization and the U.S. Economy
The Free Market Forum seeks to encourage the study of free enterprise. Consequently, over 50 invitees, including faculty members from colleges and universities around the country with ties to the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities or the Acton Institute, attended as guests of the Free Market Forum. Included in this group were representatives from ten state-based policy centers. These scholars and state policy leaders came together for a dynamic exchange of information, to enhance the discussions at the colloquium and to encourage the exchange of ideas in the future.
Read the papers given at the 2006 Free Market Forum.
The second Free Market Forum on “The Role of Markets and Governments in Pursuing the Common Good” was held on the campus of Hillsdale College on September 27-29, 2007. Over 100 faculty members and state policy leaders from across the United States and Canada attended the discussions. Evening speakers included Walter Williams, Burton Folsom, Jr., and Mark Steyn. Six panel discussions filled the remainder of the weekend:
* Monetary Policy and the Common Good
* The Legacy of Milton Friedman
* How to Teach Economics
* Globalization and the Common Good
* The Moral Foundations of Classical Economics
* Christian Benevolence and the Welfare State
Read the papers given at the 2007 Free Market Forum.
Due to the growth of the program, the third annual Free Market Forum was held in Dearborn, Michigan, on September 25-27, 2008. Almost 400 faculty members, state policy leaders, and other guests gathered to hear the opening address by political analyst Karl Rove. Other evening speakers were Jonah Goldberg and world renowned economist Hernando de Soto. Once again, over 100 faculty members and state policy leaders from across the United States and Canada took part in the weekend. Professor Ken Elzinga provided valuable insights on "How to Teach Economics" in his Saturday morning lecture. Four panel discussions rounded out the three-day event:
* Markets and Politics
* Freedom and the Environment
* 21st Century Challenges to Property Rights
* The Theoretical Roots of American Bureaucracy
Read the papers given at the 2008 Free Market Forum.
The fourth Free Market Forum took place in Dearborn, Michigan, on September 30-October 1, 2010. Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, gave the opening address to an audience of over four hundred. Seventy-five faculty members and state policy leaders from more than 20 states and Canadian provinces participated in the Forum. Eric Claeys of George Mason University spoke on “Economic Liberty and the Constitution.” Fred Barnes analyzed the upcoming 2010 elections at the closing dinner. Panel discussions during the Forum examined the following issues:
*The Role of Government in Improving Health Care
*Free Markets, Government, and Energy Policy
*U.S. Economic Policy since Fall 2008
Read the papers given at the 2010 Free Market Forum.
For the 2011 Free Market Forum, participants gathered in Atlanta, Georgia. This year’s program was expanded to include 100 faculty members from 31 states, several Canadian provinces, and Lithuania. In addition, 20 state policy leaders from the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico took part in the forum, as well as several hundred friends of Hillsdale College. Daniel Hannan, member of the European Parliament, was the opening speaker. Chris Chocola, president of Club for Growth, and Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley also addressed the audience. Panel sessions covered three issues:
*The National Debt and Entitlement Reform
*Can We Shrink the Federal Bureaucracy?
*The Debate over Public-Sector Unions
Read the papers given at the 2011 Free Market Forum.
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