Challenges in Classical Liberalism

This book examines contemporary policy debates from opposing perspectives. It considers seven key topics in today’s society: land use, education, international trade, health insurance, technological change, and recreational alcohol and drugs. Two scholars with differing viewpoints discuss each topic, one working in the classical liberal tradition and the other advocating slower, incremental societal change. While classical liberalism historically presents a vision of society comprised of free and responsible individuals, this book shows the importance of considering the nuances of this vision today. Beyond theoretical regulation vs. de-regulation debates, the book highlights challenges for classical liberals by considering how dynamism and creative destruction may disrupt communities, leading to worse outcomes for some groups. This edited volume aims to deepen understanding of this challenge to a free society and partake in and encourage civil intellectual discourse and debate. It will interest students and scholars from various fields, including economics, political science, public health, and environmental studies.
Alice Louise Kassens is John S. Shannon Professor of Economics at Roanoke College, a Senior Analyst with the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research, Director of the Center for Economic Freedom, and Research Fellow with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Institute for Economic Equity. She is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Economic Teaching. Kassens earned her BA in economics and history from the College of William and Mary and her Ph.D. in economics from North Carolina State University.

Joshua C. Hall is Milan Puskar Dean and Professor of Economics at the John Chambers College of Business & Economics at West Virginia University. He was the 2019-2020 Benedum Distinguished Scholar in Behavioral and Social Sciences and a 2015-2016 WVU Foundation Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient. He is editor of the Journal of Regional Analysis & Policy. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Ohio University and his Ph.D. from West Virginia University in 2007. Before returning to WVU, he was the Elbert H. Neese, Jr. Professor of Economics at Beloit College.