Task Forces and Working Groups
Task Forces and Working Groups
economic policy
national security
energy policy
K–12 education
property rights

John and Jean De Nault Task Force on Property Rights, Freedom, and Prosperity

Significant gifts for the support of this task force are acknowledged from

  • John and Jean De Nault
  • The JM Foundation

The Property Rights, Freedom, and Prosperity Task Force explores the philosophical, historical, legal, and economic foundations of property rights through scholarship and collaborative research among an interdisciplinary group of scholars that includes economists and legal experts. Together, this team will explore property rights in a contemporary context. Members will examine how secure property rights help foster economic development, encourage natural resource stewardship, advance investment in intellectual and physical capital, encourage sound business practices, and promote liberty and individual responsibility.

Terry Anderson and Gary Libecap are cochairs of the Property Rights, Freedom, and Prosperity Task Force.

News and Commentary

February 15, 2011
Scott Kieff on the John Batchelor Show
Hoover fellow F. Scott Kieff comments on the recently released budget plan for 2012 by the Obama administration.

February 15, 2011
Fire the FDA Now
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein discusses that Congress should strip the FDA of its gatekeeper role for new drugs.

February 10, 2011
Regulators take wrong path on Comcast-NBC
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein comments on the Comcast aquisition of NBC .

February 9, 2011
California’s Crazy Climate Policy
Hoover fellow Gary D. Libecap talks about the Global Warming Solutions Act in 2006.

February 1, 2011
The Patent Process Run Amok
Hoover fellow F. Scott Kieff discusses how the Supreme Court’s Microsoft v. i4i case will likely stifle innovation.

January 27, 2011
Richard Epstein on the John Batchelor Show
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein is interviewed on the John Batchelor Show.

January 21, 2011
The Law with Epstein & Yoo: Chapter 5 of 5
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein and Berkeley law professor John Yoo critique the Supreme Court under John Roberts.

January 19, 2011
The Law with Epstein & Yoo: Chapter 4 of 5
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein and Berkeley law professor John Yoo reflect on Bush v. Gore on its tenth anniversary.

January 19, 2011
The Law with Epstein & Yoo: Chapter 3 of 5
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein and Berkeley law professor John Yoo discuss the question "Is California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional?"

January 18, 2011
The Law with Epstein & Yoo: Chapter 2 of 5
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein and Berkeley law professor John Yoo explain why the “encroachment” argument beats the “general welfare” argument in the case against Obamacare.

January 17, 2011
The Law with Epstein & Yoo: Chapter 1 of 5
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein and Berkeley law professor John Woo respond to the question "Is Obamacare unconstitutional?" on Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson.

January 16, 2011
Richard Epstein on the John Batchelor Show
Hoover fellow Richard A. Epstein is a guest on the John Batchelor Show.

Featured Op-eds
April 19, 2011 | Defining Ideas (Hoover Institution)

Let the Rich Get Richer

Income redistribution will not solve our nation’s budgetary problems...
April 19, 2011 | Wall Street Journal

Deconstructing the Galleon Insider Trading Case

The prosecution of Raj Rajaratnam is part of a war between the SEC and the law as articulated by the Supreme Court...
April 12, 2011 | John Batchelor Show

James Huffman on the John Batchelor Show

GUESTS: Jeffrey Bell, The American Principles Project; Chrystia Freeland, Reuters; James L. Huffman, Hoover; Dennis Berman, WSJ...
April 11, 2011 | Wall Street Journal

How Donor Disclosure Hurts Democracy

As a candidate, I learned how much potential campaign contributors fear incumbent retribution...
April 5, 2011 | John Batchelor Show

Stephen Haber on the John Batchelor Show

GUESTS: Co-host Larry Kudlow, CNBC and 77 WABC; John Fund, WSJ; Stephen Haber, Hoover Institution; Reza Kahlili, author of "A Time to Betray"...