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Institutions and Economic Development
Tuesday, 17 April 2008

Episode #027
(53:48 min 49.2MB)
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1993 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics laureate Douglass C. North speaks on the formation of human societies. Restricted social orders continue to be the norm in most of the contemporary world. These limited access societies are ruled by elites through monopolies or rents. These coalitions are based on personal ties, hence he calls such societies “natural” states. However, a number of countries have developed into open access societies where competition in economic and political markets, instead of rent-creation, sustains civil order.

The challenge therefore is how to transit from a limited access society into an open access one. He explains that the answer is not deliberately imposing the characteristics of a free society on a restricted one. What is needed is to encourage a limited access society towards maturity by working within the constraints of its cultural heritage, informal norms and belief systems.

Read more on the natural state here.

The music is provided by Dieter Bachmann.

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The Role of Civil Society in Philippine Democracy
Tuesday, 31 March 2008

Episode #026
(11:33 min 10.3MB)
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National Institute for Policy Studies President Mario Taguiwalo explains the economic and social background that gives birth to Philippine civil society. He expounds on its rise during the Marcos dictatorship and its continued flourishing in restored democracy. He speaks of civil society as the central channel of engaging politicians due to the lack of ideologically based political parties in the country.

The music is provided by Dieter Bachmann.

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Liberalism and Morality: Capitalism and Christian Values
Tuesday, 05 February 2008

Episode #025
(20:32 min 18.7MB)
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The final part of this installment has Fr. Robert Sirico touching upon the correlation between business ethics and corruption. He explains that personal corruption is one reality, but that it is institutional corruption which forces the lack of business ethics. This occurs when the political apparatus extends into the private sphere.

Fr. Sirico elaborates on the Church’s teaching of subsidiarity which states that needs are best met at the local level. Individuals have the responsibility to address their own needs. It is only when individuals are not able to accomplish this, that they must look towards the next level on the ladder of social organization. The highest level (the state) should only intervene when there is great need, and this intervention should only be temporary. As a result, limiting bureaucratic interference in the private arena would reduce corruption and make society more efficient.

The music is provided by Dieter Bachmann.

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Liberalism and Morality:
Reconciling Christian Values and Free Market Principles

Thursday, 17 January 2008

Episode #024
(16:52 min 15.4MB)
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In the fourth installment of this series, Fr. Robert Sirico asserts that reconciling Christian values and free market principles begins with giving importance to profit. Profit is the result of an activity planned well and the fruit of human labor. However, the solution to poverty is not redistribution. It is creating mechanisms for superfluous wealth production that let people share.

The music is provided by Dieter Bachmann.

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Liberalism and Morality: Economics, Liberty and Morality
Thursday, 17 January 2008

Episode #023
(15:30 min 14.1MB)
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Fr. Robert Sirico discusses how economics, liberty and morality center on the human person. A free environment creates opportunities that allow him to choose and harness resources. Criticism against economics arises because many choices are based on subjective values. However, it is a misconception to understand morality as relativistic. Virtue is something consistent across all humanity. Morality underlines the responsibility to create a flourishing society that is worthy of human dignity.

The music is provided by Dieter Bachmann.

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Liberalism and Morality: The Call of the Entrepreneur
Thursday, 17 January 2008

Episode #022
(22:07 min 30.3MB)
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The second instalment of this series features Fr. Robert Sirico’s commentary on the film: The Call of the Entrepreneur as well as portions of the open forum that followed. Fr. Sirico discusses the value that business brings to a society. He explains that it is through entrepreneurship that the poor’s hopes are met and their needs are addressed. He stresses that in order to have this, liberty is required. Without freedom, the human spirit and its creativity are discouraged.

The music is provided by Dieter Bachmann.

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Liberalism and Morality: A Five-Part Series
Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Episode #021
(20:21 min 27.9MB)
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In this first episode of a five-part series, Alexandra Cuyegkeng and Siegfried Herzog introduce Fr. Robert Sirico and Kris A. Mauren, founders of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. Fr. Sirico and Kris explain the reasons behind establishing the institute and its mission of reconciling liberalism and morality. They also talk about their Asian visit and their impressions of the Philippines.

Alexandra and Siegfried also highlight the Manila premiere of Acton’s first film: The Call of the Entrepreneur.

The succeeding instalments will feature excerpts from Fr. Sirico’s commentary on the film along with snippets from several of his talks: “Economics, Liberty and Morality,” Reconciling Christian Values and Free Market Principles” and “Capitalism and Christian Values.”

The music is provided by Dieter Bachmann and Kevin MacLeod.

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