Everyone knows the U.S. government has grown in size, scope, and power during the past century—but how did this enormous transformation happen?

The Independent Institute's authoritative book Crisis and Leviathan: Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government, by Robert Higgs, has the answers.

By manipulating crises, both real and imagined, governments extend remorseless controls—to the great detriment of human liberty and well-being. Americans have suffered this growth in government in the past. And, unfortunately, during this coronavirus pandemic, we may now be witnessing one of the greatest expansions ever.

Grounded in historical evidence, the renowned economist and historian Robert Higgs explains how during critical episodes in the history of the United States, the political class has used everything from half-truths to outright deception to extend the reach of government power. But citizens can reverse this suffocating process that is threatening our country.

In this event, Graham H. Walker (Executive Director) and Mary L. G. Theroux (Senior Vice President) at the Independent Institute examine the folly of the "corona crisis and leviathan" and the ominous impact of the consequent government-mandated shutdowns, multi-trillion dollar "stimulus" and welfare spending, attacks of constitutional and civil liberties, massive unemployment and business failures and skyrocketing federal debt. They then discuss the changes needed to reverse this dangerous development in order to restore liberty and human well-being.

Graham H. Walker

Graham H. Walker is Executive Director and Assistant Editor for The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy at the Independent Institute. He received his Ph.D. in public law and government from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Walker has served as Associate Professor of Politics at Catholic University of America, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, Visiting Scholar in Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton, NJ), Senior Research Scholar at the Witherspoon Institute, Headmaster at Oaks Christian School, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, President at Patrick Henry College, Legislative Aide to former Congressman David Stockman, and Fellow at the Presidio Institute.

Mary L. G. Theroux

Mary L. G. Theroux is Senior Vice President of the Independent Institute. Having received her A.B. in economics from Stanford University, Ms. Theroux is Managing Director of Lightning Ventures, L.P., and Vice President of the C.S. Lewis Society of California. She is former Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Alameda County Salvation Army; former Chairman and current member of the San Francisco Salvation Army Advisory Board, and also serves on the National Advisory Board of The Salvation Army. Ms. Theroux was also Chairman of Garvey International, Inc., and Co-Founder, President, and CEO of San Francisco Grocery Express, Ltd. Articles on Ms. Theroux have appeared in Business Week, Forbes, Savvy, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and other publications.