Summary: This year, two books are being published defending classical liberalism: one by Richard Epstein and another by John Tomasi. How persuasive is the case for classical liberalism? How does classical liberalism differ from conservatism, libertarianism, or fusionism? Is there an inherent flaw in classical liberalism that explains why it degenerated into welfare state socialism? If so, how can classical liberal theory be inoculated from degenerating in this fashion again? This panel was featured as Showcase Panel II at the 2011 National Lawyers Convention on November 11, 2011. Featuring: Prof. Richard A. Epstein of New York University School of Law; Prof. Andrew M. Koppelman of Northwestern University School of Law; Hon. Michael W. McConnell of Stanford Law School and former Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; Prof. John O. McGinnis of Northwestern University School of Law; Prof. Paul A. Rahe Hillsdale College; Prof. Douglas B. Rasmussen of St. John’s University; Prof. John Tomasi of Brown University; and JudgeSandra Segal Ikuta of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit as the moderator. Introduction by Mr. Leonard A. Leo, Executive Vice President of The Federalist Society.
