Freedom Seminar
Economic Freedom & Development
About Freedom Seminar
The Northwood University Freedom Seminar is an annual symposium on the free-enterprise system led by distinguished academic and business leaders. The purpose of the seminar is to investigate topics of utmost interest to local, national, and global audiences.
The Focus of this year’s freedom seminar is on competing political ideologies. Although most people of have a favorable view of freedom, they have significant disagreements about what it means and how to secure it. These disagreements can be traced back to differences in their fundamental assumptions about human nature and society. In this series, we examine the philosophical differences between libertarian, conservative and socialist ideologies and how they lead to divergent opinions about moral, political, and economic issues.
2024 Freedom Seminar Sessions & Speakers
“The Morality of Capitalism,” sponsored by the Ayn Rand Institute and Young Americans for Liberty. This will take place at 6 p.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall.
“The Contributions of Black Entrepreneurs to American Prosperity,” sponsored by Young Americans for Freedom. This is set to take place at 7 p.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall.
“A Plan For America: How to Place the American Dream on a Sure Foundation Forever.” This is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Griswold Lecture Hall, located in the Griswold Communications Center on the Northwood University main campus.
“The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai’s Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom,” with producer Eric Kohn, Acton Institute. This begins at 7 p.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall.
“Free to Speak,” with producer Tom Skinner, Free to Choose Network. This starts at 7 p.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall.
This will have two different events in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise at Northwood University. The first begins at 9 a.m. with a panel discussing how America and Europe should deal with their environmental challenges. Panelists include Jason Hayes, director of energy and environmental policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy; and Kai Weiss, research and outreach coordinator at the Austrian Economics Center and a board member of the Hayek Institute.
The second Free Market Road Show event on April 2 starts at 10:30 and feature panelists discussing how America and Europe should deal with immigration and demographic challenges. Those panelists will include Barbara Kolm, director of the Austrian Economics Center, and president of the Hayek Institute; and Dr. Alexandar Tokarev, Northwood University economics professor.
This begins at 7 p.m. in Griswold Lecture Hall. Panelists include Dr. Nathan Schleuter of Hillsdale College, Dr. Robert Murphy of the Mises Institute, and Matthew Erard, J.D.
45th Annual Freedom Seminar Sessions
Unlike past years, when all presentations were held at a single location on consecutive days, the format for the 45th annual Freedom Seminar is a series of three distinct events. All of them focus on a different aspect of the economic freedom and development theme.
The final Freedom Seminar event of 2023 will be held on Saturday, April 15 at the Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan. It will provide a historical perspective on the relation between economic freedom and entrepreneurship. It also includes a visit to historic Greenfield Village, where many of the historic buildings and artifacts related to American enterprise are on display.
- “Travels – and Life Improved by the Real McCoy” with Dr. Timothy G. Nash – 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.
- “The Social Function of the Entrepreneur” with Dale Matcheck – 4:35 to 5 p.m.
A Global Perspective
The first Freedom Seminar event held in 2023 provided an international perspective with speakers and audiences from several countries. You can watch these sessions by following the links below:
- Keynote Address: “Progresses Afghan Women made and how they were paused!” with Manizha Wafeq and “Economic Freedom Around the World” with Petar Ganev (Watch these sessions).
- “The State of Freedom Around the World” – Roundtable Panel with Roxana Nicula and Fritz Thomas and “Where Does the Freedom Movement Go From Here?” with Alexander Skouras (Watch these sessions).
- “Problems with Socialism” panel with Dr. Alex Tokarev and Simeon Burns.
Threats to Economic Freedom
The second Freedom Seminar event held in 2023 focused on current government or business practices that are detrimental to economic freedom and development. The lectures and the panel on March 17th were part of the American tour of the Free Market Road Show.
Thursday, March 16th
- “The Problem with Externality Arguments” with David Friedman
- “Leave Me Alone and I’ll Make You Rich” with Art Carden
Friday, March 17th
- “How Excessive Government Debt will Destroy Economic Stability, Property Rights, and Free Markets” with Richard Rahn
- “Cronyism and Corruption” with Daniel Mitchell
- “Interest Rates and Inflation – Where are we Heading?” with Barbara Kolm
- “Threats to Free Enterprise and Innovation” with John Chisholm and Terry Anker
- “Environmental, Social, and Governance” with panelists Donald Kochan, Tawni Ferrarini & Charles Steele
Here at Northwood, we believe that freedom, individual responsibility, and enterprise are essential for human progress. The Freedom Seminar provides participants with a deeper understanding of these values and the ways in which they can be applied to improve public policy, business, and our personal lives. This event brings Northwood students, employees, and alumni together with community leaders, business professionals, and distinguished scholars for lectures, discussions, and debates about the benefits, opportunities, and challenges associated with living in a free society.
The Freedom Seminar is made possible by the generous support of the McNair Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Northwood University.
Special thanks to these 2023 Freedom Seminar Partners:
