The gala reception and presentation of the Thomas S. Szasz Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the Cause of Civil Liberties to Robert Higgs and Robert Spillane, followed by a special forum featuring Dr. Higgs on “Liberty and Leviathan,” based on his acclaimed book, Depression, War, and Cold War (Oxford University Press).

Thomas S. Szasz The Thomas S. Szasz Award is a tribute conferred annually by the Center for Independent Thought for the avocation of civil liberties and to encourage others to work to protect personal autonomy from state encroachment.

Robert Higgs Senior Fellow, The Independent Institute. Winner, 2006 Thomas S. Szasz Award, General Award. Author, Depression, War, and Cold War, Against Leviathan, and Crisis and Leviathan.

Robert Spillane Professor of Management Macquarie University Australia. Winner, 2006 Thomas S. Szasz Award, Professional Award.

Andrea Millen Rich President, Center for Independent Thought

David J. Theroux Founder and President, The Independent Institute

David R. Henderson Associate Professor of Economics, Naval Postgraduate School Research Fellow, Hoover Institution Author, The Joy of Freedom: An Economist's Odyssey

David J. Theroux Founder and President, The Independent Institute

Although comedian George Carlin’s infamous routine, “Seven Words You Can't Say on TV,” has become outdated, today many ideas are considered too “politically incorrect” to discuss in polite society. According to popular Los Angeles talk-radio host Larry Elder, many sacred cows- about racism and sexism, health care, welfare, education, the family, drug laws, the media, crime, gun control, and more- are soft-headed distortions that have worsened America's social problems. If “the truth shall make you free,” then, says Elder, these myths need a serious reality check- before we forget what truth and freedom look like. Larry Elder discussed what’s really wrong with America and how a free people, rather than an intrusive government, can fix it.

Why has Africa, despite its rich history, cultures, and abundant resources, largely remained in the grip of dictatorship, starvation, genocide and war? How can this tragic legacy of colonialism, socialism, and plutocracy be replaced with the welfare of economic liberalization, individual rights, and the Rule of Law? Based on his new book, "Africa in Chaos," award-winning economist George Ayittey will examine the record of American statism and the revolution for free-market societies.

George B. N. Ayittey Professor of Economics, American University Author, Africa in Chaos and Africa Betrayed

David J. Theroux Founder and President, The Independent Institute

When pioneering television journalist John Stossel joined ABC-TV's “20/20” in 1981, his peers and an admiring public hailed him as a crusading consumer reporter. His hard-hitting, in-your-face exposes of con artists and corporate liars and crooks won him 19 Emmys and an avid following. But, could the use of government power and the Nanny State be the biggest scam of all?

David J. Theroux, founder and president of The Independent Institute and the C.S. Lewis Society of California, discusses the writings of C.S. Lewis and Lewis's views on individual liberty, natural law and statism. The presentation was the keynote talk at the first annual conference of Christians for Liberty, that was held at St. Edwards University in Austin, TX, August 2, 2014.

Sr. Fellow David T. Beito appears on the Fox Business News' "Stossel" to debate whether government or private charity is a better way to abolish poverty. Beito, editor of the book The Voluntary City says that government is outdated and its War on Poverty is a failure.

Benjamin Powell debunks immigration myths