Scholarship & a Free Society

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June 23-29 ● Towson University, Baltimore, MD area

The weeklong Scholarship & a Free Society seminar covers topics in history, philosophy, political science, and economics, as well as methods and applications designed to facilitate new research possibilities. Conversations between historians, economists, philosophers, and other professionals will lead to insights rarely found within one discipline. Participants will leave the seminar equipped with new research ideas and invaluable contacts.

Topic Sampling

• Non-Ideal Political Theory
• Social Justice and Classical Liberalism
• Contemporary Austrian Approaches to Political Economy and Institutional Economics
• Public Choice Approaches to the Study of Political Institutions
• Justificatory Liberalism & Public Reason
• Historical and Modern Implications of the Classical Liberal Tradition
• Entrepreneurship and the Austrian Tradition
• Voluntary Associations & Alternatives to State Welfare

These topics will raise questions central to academic research:

How can civil society address social, economic, and political challenges through voluntary association?
How should the humanities and social sciences combine normative concerns with empirical study?
How can emerging scholars achieve academic success and significantly advance liberty?

The workshop will also address methodological and substantive aspects of some of today's most pressing and difficult questions:

What relevance do norms and values have to social scientific research?
What explains the unprecedented levels of material and moral well-being that characterize the modern world and sets it apart from pre-modern societies?

Students accepted into the program can apply to present their own research to groups of up to 30 fellow students and faculty. This is an exceptional opportunity for presenters to receive feedback and improve their research. If you are interested in presenting a paper at the seminar, you will be able to upload a copy of your CV as well as your paper title and abstract as part of the application process.

 “This seminar helped me to consolidate my ideas on classical liberal/dissertation ideas.  It also gave me tools to get more research on the subject.  I would strongly recommend this seminar." – A. Guerra

“The rich diversity of ideas and insightful discussion opened questions and research possibilities that are stimulating to my current work." – Chad Van Schoelandt

All participants receive a full scholarship covering lectures, housing, meals and books. Participants only pay for their own travel.

The renowned faculty will cover research driving contemporary work relevant to classical liberals and the wider intellectual community. Read about the speakers at each seminar.

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