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==Viewpoints==
==Viewpoints==


===Pacifism===
⚫
===Moral and political views===

Caplan is an [[anarcho-capitalism|anarcho-capitalist]], citing influences such as [[Murray Rothbard]] and [[David D. Friedman]], and has written on the feasibility and desirability of a stateless society.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/anarfaq.htm |title=Anarchist Theory FAQ Version 5.2 |publisher=Econfaculty.gmu.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref> He promotes [[austerity]] for marginal reform<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/09/austerity_for_l.html |title=Austerity for Liberty, Bryan Caplan &#124; EconLog &#124; Library of Economics and Liberty |publisher=Econlog.econlib.org |date=2010-09-13 |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref> and is a vocal proponent of [[open border]]s, submitting that immigration restrictions keep the poor locked in a prison of poverty, limiting both freedom and prosperity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2010/10/caplan_on_immig.html|title = Caplan on Immigration|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|publisher = ''[[EconTalk]]'' (hosted by [[Russ Roberts]])}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/serials/files/cato-journal/2012/1/cj32n1-2.pdf|title = Why Should We Restriction Immigration|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|publisher = ''[[Cato Journal]]''|date = Winter 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://openborders.info/blog/my-path-to-open-borders|title = My Path to Open Borders|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|publisher = Open Borders: The Case|date = 2013-01-02|accessdate = 2013-01-30}}</ref> Caplan has identified himself as a [[pacifism|pacifist]] on pragmatic grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/04/the_common-sens.html|title = The Common-Sense Case for Pacifism|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2010-04-05|publisher =EconLog}}</ref> He has criticized [[left-libertarianism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/09/why_i_am_not_a_3.html |title=Why I Am Not a Left-Libertarian, Bryan Caplan &#124; EconLog &#124; Library of Economics and Liberty |publisher=Econlog.econlib.org |date=2010-09-21 |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/03/should_libertarians_oppose_capitalism.html |title=Should Libertarians Oppose "Capitalism"?, Bryan Caplan &#124; EconLog &#124; Library of Economics and Liberty |publisher=Econlog.econlib.org |date=2010-03-02 |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref> He also has criticized some economists' use of an efficiency-only moral standard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/hansondebate.htm |title=Liberty versus Efficiency |publisher=Econfaculty.gmu.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref>
Caplan has identified himself as a [[pacifism|pacifist]] on pragmatic grounds and has summarized his "common-sense case for pacifism" using three steps:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/04/the_common-sens.html|title = The Common-Sense Case for Pacifism|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2010-04-05|publisher =EconLog}}</ref>

# The immediate costs of war are clearly awful
# The long-run benefits of war are highly uncertain
# For a war to be morally justified, its long-run benefits have to be substantially larger than its short-run costs

In July 2011, Caplan debated his case for pacifism with [[Ilya Somin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2011/07/caplan-somin_li.html|title = Caplan-Somin "Liberty and Foreign Policy" Debate Page|date = 2011-07-15|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref> In a February 2013 debate with Jan Ting at the [[Students for Liberty]] conference, Caplan used a slightly different breakdown of the case for pacifism, using four steps instead of three.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2013/02/pacifism_in_4_e.html|title = Pacifism in 4 Easy Steps|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2013-02-17|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmdf9kZG-2A|title = Debate: Is War Ever Justified|publisher = [[LearnLiberty]]|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref>

Although a pacifist, Caplan has been critical of many of the arguments put forward by other pacifists. While critiquing [[Howard Zinn]]'s non-fiction graphic novel for the manner in which it was critical of US involvement in the [[Vietnam War]], Caplan said that "I often feel the need to save pacifism from the pacifists."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2012/08/how_not_to_be_a.html|title = How Not to Be a Pacifist|date = 2012-08-17|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref> Caplan has also been critical of [[Murray Rothbard]]'s "isolationism" as well as Rothbard's support for [[guerrila warfare]] and has argued that pacifism is superior to isolationism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/03/why_libertarian.html|title = Why Libertarians Should Be Pacifists, Not Isolationists|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2010-03-22|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref>

In September 2013, Caplan looked at the series ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' by [[George R. R. Martin]] (which is the basis of the ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' TV series) and concluded that even in Martin's fictional world, the case for pacifism holds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2013/09/game_of_thrones.html|title = ''Game of Thrones'' and the Common-Sense Case for Pacifism|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2013-09-17|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref>

Caplan plans to write a book titled ''Pragmatic Pacifism: The Realism of Idealism'' after finishing some of his other current and planned book projects.<ref name=book-plans>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/09/my_plans.html|title = My Plans|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2010-09-30|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref>

Caplan's arguments in favor of pacifism have been critiqued by [[Tyler Cowen]] on the [[Marginal Revolution (blog)|Marginal Revolution blog]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2011/04/bryan-caplan-defends-pacifism.html|title = Bryan Caplan defends pacifism|last = Cowen|first = Tyler|date = 2011-04-25|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref> and by many others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anotherpanacea.com/2011/04/caplans-pacifism/|title = Caplan's Pacifism|last = Miller|first = Joshua|date = 2011-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slouchingcolumbia.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/against-caplans-pacifism/|title = Against Caplan’s Pacifism|date = 2011-04-25|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref>

===Open borders===

Caplan is a vocal proponent of [[open border]]s, submitting that immigration restrictions keep the poor locked in a prison of poverty, limiting both freedom and prosperity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2010/10/caplan_on_immig.html|title = Caplan on Immigration|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|publisher = ''[[EconTalk]]'' (hosted by [[Russ Roberts]])}}</ref> He has made his case in an article for the ''[[Cato Journal]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/serials/files/cato-journal/2012/1/cj32n1-2.pdf|title = Why Should We Restriction Immigration|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|publisher = ''[[Cato Journal]]''|date = Winter 2012}}</ref> and numerous other writings on his blog and elsewhere, as well as in talks and debates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openborders.info/bryan-caplan|title = Bryan Caplan|publisher = ''Open Borders: The Case''|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref> In January 2013, Caplan wrote a blog post for ''Open Borders: The Case'' describing how he personally came to support open borders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openborders.info/blog/my-path-to-open-borders|title = My Path to Open Borders|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|publisher = Open Borders: The Case|date = 2013-01-02|accessdate = 2013-01-30}}</ref>

Caplan was cited as one of the leading proponents of the open borders position in an article in ''[[The Atlantic]]'' by Shaun Raviv.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/04/if-people-could-immigrate-anywhere-would-poverty-be-eliminated/275332/|title = If People Could Immigrate Anywhere, Would Poverty Be Eliminated?|last = Raviv|first = Shaun|date = 2013-04-26|accessdate = 2013-09-27|publisher = ''[[The Atlantic]]''}}</ref> Caplan's persuasiveness as an open borders advocate was analysed at ''Open Borders: The Case''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openborders.info/blog/how-persuasive-are-open-borders-advocates-the-case-of-bryan-caplan/|title = How persuasive are open borders advocates? The case of Bryan Caplan|date = 2012-10-23|accessdate = 2013-09-27|last = Naik|first = Vipul|publisher = ''Open Borders: The Case''}}</ref> Caplan's position on open borders has been critiqued by many individuals, including [[Steve Sailer]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://isteve.blogspot.com/2012/11/bryan-caplan-3-more-challenges-to.html|title = Bryan Caplan: 3 more challenges to Sailerian citizenism|last = Sailer|first = Steve|date = 2012-11-12|accessdate = 2013-09-27}}</ref> [[Vox Day]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voxday.blogspot.com/2013/08/bryan-caplan-and-open-borders-movement.html|title = Bryan Caplan and the Open Borders movement|last = Day|first = Vox|date = 2013-08-12|accessdate = 2013-09-27}}</ref> and others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://libertarianrealist.blogspot.com/2013/05/open-debate.html|title = Caplan: Open Debate on Open Borders Isn't "Just"|date = 2013-05-22|accessdate = 2013-09-27}}</ref>

===Anarcho-capitalism===

Caplan is an [[anarcho-capitalism|anarcho-capitalist]], citing influences such as [[Murray Rothbard]] and [[David D. Friedman]], and has written on the feasibility and desirability of a stateless society.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/anarfaq.htm |title=Anarchist Theory FAQ Version 5.2 |publisher=Econfaculty.gmu.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref> He promotes [[austerity]] for marginal reform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/09/austerity_for_l.html |title=Austerity for Liberty, Bryan Caplan &#124; EconLog &#124; Library of Economics and Liberty |publisher=Econlog.econlib.org |date=2010-09-13 |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2013/04/crazy_equilibri.html|title = Crazy Equilibria: From Democracy to Anarcho-Capitalism|date = 2013-04-02|accessdate = 2013-09-24|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref> Caplan identifies closely with [[Michael Huemer]]'s position on anarcho-capitalism (in addition to sharing other ethical and meta-ethical views with Huemer) and played an important role in promoting Huemer's ''The Problem of Political Authority'' on his blog, [[EconLog]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2012/02/whats_so_specia.html|title = What's So Special About Huemer's New Book?|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2012-02-01|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2013/01/huemers_common-.html|title = Huemer's Common-Sense Libertarianism|date = 2013-01-25|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref>

⚫
===Other moral and political views===

Caplan has criticized [[left-libertarianism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/09/why_i_am_not_a_3.html |title=Why I Am Not a Left-Libertarian, Bryan Caplan &#124; EconLog &#124; Library of Economics and Liberty |publisher=Econlog.econlib.org |date=2010-09-21 |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2010/03/should_libertarians_oppose_capitalism.html |title=Should Libertarians Oppose "Capitalism"?, Bryan Caplan &#124; EconLog &#124; Library of Economics and Liberty |publisher=Econlog.econlib.org |date=2010-03-02 |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref> He also has criticized some economists' use of an efficiency-only moral standard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/hansondebate.htm |title=Liberty versus Efficiency |publisher=Econfaculty.gmu.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-08-17}}</ref>


===Austrian economics===
===Austrian economics===
As Caplan wrote on an article that published on his George Mason University faculty page in 1997, he considered himself an [[Austrian economics|Austrian economist]] before graduate school, and much of his work draws upon themes in Austrian economics. However, he writes that he is not an Austrian economist anymore and most of his academic work on Austrian economics is critical. He has written that "while self-labeled Austrian economists have some valid contributions to make to economics, these are simply not distinctive enough to sustain a school of thought. The task of developing an alternate Austrian paradigm has largely failed, producing an abundance of meta-economics (philosophy, methodology, and history of thought), but few substantive results."<ref>Bryan Caplan, [http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/whyaust.htm Why I Am Not an Austrian Economist], Bryan Caplan faculty page, 1997, ''accessed June 13, 2013.''</ref>
As Caplan wrote on an article that published on his George Mason University faculty page in 1997, he considered himself an [[Austrian economics|Austrian economist]] before graduate school, and much of his work draws upon themes in Austrian economics. However, he writes that he is not an Austrian economist anymore and most of his academic work on Austrian economics is critical. He has written that "while self-labeled Austrian economists have some valid contributions to make to economics, these are simply not distinctive enough to sustain a school of thought. The task of developing an alternate Austrian paradigm has largely failed, producing an abundance of meta-economics (philosophy, methodology, and history of thought), but few substantive results."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/whyaust.htm|title = Why I Am Not an Austrian Economist|last = Caplan|first = Bryan| year = 1997|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref>

In September 2012, Caplan participated in a ''[[Cato Unbound]]'' debate along with [[Steven Horwitz]], [[George Selgin]], and [[Antony Davies]] on the value of Austrian economics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cato-unbound.org/issues/september-2012/theory-practice-austrian-school|title = Theory and Practice in the Austrian School|date = September 2012|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref> In his response essay, Caplan reiterated some of his earlier critiques of Austrian economics and also argued that Austrians' rejection and/or neglect of [[behavioral economics]] was puzzling given their philosophy of subjectivism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cato-unbound.org/2012/09/07/bryan-caplan/horwitz-economy-empirics|title = Horwitz, Economy, and Empirics|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2012-09-07|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = ''[[Cato Unbound]]''}}</ref>


===Public choice===
===Public choice===
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Caplan believes that much of [[higher education]] is [[Signalling (economics)|signaling]].<ref name="econlib1"/> He is a believer in [[dualism]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/Searle|title = Searle}}</ref> and in [[libertarian free will]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/freewill|title = Free will}}</ref> Caplan also holds the view that [[twin studies]] and [[adoption studies]] have demonstrated conclusively that parenting style has very little impact on the adult outcomes of children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2011/02/the_tiger_mothe.html|title = The Tiger Mother versus Cost-Benefit Analysis}}</ref>
Caplan believes that much of [[higher education]] is [[Signalling (economics)|signaling]].<ref name="econlib1"/> He is a believer in [[dualism]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/Searle|title = Searle}}</ref> and in [[libertarian free will]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/freewill|title = Free will}}</ref> Caplan also holds the view that [[twin studies]] and [[adoption studies]] have demonstrated conclusively that parenting style has very little impact on the adult outcomes of children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2011/02/the_tiger_mothe.html|title = The Tiger Mother versus Cost-Benefit Analysis}}</ref>

==Media==

Caplan has published multiple op-eds as well as a book review in the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704289504575313201221533826.html|title = The Breeders' Cup|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2010-06-19|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/11/twin-lessons-have-more-kids-pay-less-attention-to-them/|title = Twin Lessons: Have More Kids. Pay Less Attention to Them|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2011-04-11|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303552104577436333754014866.html|title = O Brother, Who Art Thou?|date = 2012-06-20|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''}}</ref> He also participated in a live chat with [[Laura Carroll]] and [[Will Wilkinson]] for the WSJ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/14/live-chat-should-you-have-more-kids/|title = Live Chat: Should You Have More Kids?|date = 2011-04-14|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''}}</ref>

Caplan debated "Tiger Mom" [[Amy Chua]] in ''[[The Guardian]]'' in June 2011 regarding the merits of different parenting styles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jun/11/conversation-strict-parenting-amy-chua|title = Is strict parenting better for children?|last = Saner|first = Emine|date = 2011-06-11|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = ''[[The Guardian]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2011/06/caplan_vs_chua.html|title = Caplan vs. Chua Debate in the ''Guardian''|last = Caplan|first= Bryan|date = 2011-06-11|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[EconLog]]}}</ref>

Caplan has been interviewed by the ''[[New York Times]]'' Economix blog,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/the-case-for-having-more-kids/?_r=0|title = The Case for Having More Kids|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2011-04-07|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref> and the ''[[Freakonomics]]'' blog.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freakonomics.com/2012/10/25/we-the-sheeple-a-new-freakonomics-podcast/|title = We the Sheeple: A New Freakonomics Podcast|last = Dubner|first = Stephen J.|date = 2012-10-25|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://freakonomics.com/2011/08/18/the-worst-mistake-i-ever-made-an-economists-parenting-quorum/|title = The Worst Mistake I Ever Made: An Economists’ Parenting Quorum|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date= 2011-08-18|accessdate= 2013-09-18}}</ref> He has also guest blogged for ''Freakonomics''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freakonomics.com/2011/04/13/kids-and-costs-a-guest-post-by-bryan-caplan/|title = Kids and Costs: A Guest Post on Twins by Bryan Caplan|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2011-04-13|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = [[Freakonomics]]}}</ref> Caplan's book and ''Freakonomics'' guest posts were also picked up by the ''[[New York Times]]'' parenting blog.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/an-economists-argument-for-more-children/|title = An Economist’s Argument for More Children|last = Belkin|first = Lisa|date = 2011-04-12|accessdate = 2013-09-18|publisher = ''[[New York Times]]'' (parenting blog)}}</ref>

Caplan appeared on ''[[Fox and Friends]]'' where he was interviewed by [[Gretchen Carlson]] about his advice on child-rearing and his book ''Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GkA7mraYdw|title = Bryan Caplan discusses Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids on Fox and Friends|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://freakonomics.com/2011/04/21/the-nurture-of-gretchen-carlson-a-guest-post-by-bryan-caplan/|title = The Nurture of Gretchen Carlson: A Guest Post by Bryan Caplan|last = Caplan|first = Bryan|date = 2011-04-21|accessdate = 2013-09-18}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 18:12, 28 September 2013

Bryan Caplan
Born (1971-04-08) April 8, 1971 (age 53)
Northridge, California
NationalityUnited States
Academic career
School or
tradition		Public Choice school
InfluencesDonald Wittman, Ayn Rand, David D. Friedman, Murray Rothbard, Tyler Cowen, Gordon Tullock
ContributionsRational Irrationality

Bryan Caplan (born April 8, 1971) is an American economist, a professor of Economics at George Mason University, research fellow at the Mercatus Center, adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute, and blogger for EconLog. He works in public choice theory and is interested in libertarian subjects.[1]

Personal life

Caplan grew up in Northridge, California. He currently lives in Oakton, Virginia. According to Caplan, he was first introduced to libertarian capitalist political philosophy through the writings of Ayn Rand and that it was his interest in philosophy that drew him to study economics.[2] Caplan has identified himself as an atheist.[2]

Academic career

Caplan earned a B.A. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1993 and a Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University in 1997. Since then, he has spent his entire career at George Mason University.[citation needed]

Myth of the Rational Voter

The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies, published in 2007, further develops the "rational irrationality" concept from Caplan's earlier academic writing. It draws heavily from the Survey of Americans and Economists on the Economy in making the argument that voters have systematically biased beliefs about many important economic topics. Caplan argues that voters indulge these biases at the polls, creating a negative externality because they do not directly bear the full cost of their action.[citation needed] Caplan writes that rational irrationality is an explanation for the failure of democracy.[3]

Viewpoints

Pacifism

Caplan has identified himself as a pacifist on pragmatic grounds and has summarized his "common-sense case for pacifism" using three steps:[4]

  1. The immediate costs of war are clearly awful
  2. The long-run benefits of war are highly uncertain
  3. For a war to be morally justified, its long-run benefits have to be substantially larger than its short-run costs

In July 2011, Caplan debated his case for pacifism with Ilya Somin.[5] In a February 2013 debate with Jan Ting at the Students for Liberty conference, Caplan used a slightly different breakdown of the case for pacifism, using four steps instead of three.[6][7]

Although a pacifist, Caplan has been critical of many of the arguments put forward by other pacifists. While critiquing Howard Zinn's non-fiction graphic novel for the manner in which it was critical of US involvement in the Vietnam War, Caplan said that "I often feel the need to save pacifism from the pacifists."[8] Caplan has also been critical of Murray Rothbard's "isolationism" as well as Rothbard's support for guerrila warfare and has argued that pacifism is superior to isolationism.[9]

In September 2013, Caplan looked at the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin (which is the basis of the Game of Thrones TV series) and concluded that even in Martin's fictional world, the case for pacifism holds.[10]

Caplan plans to write a book titled Pragmatic Pacifism: The Realism of Idealism after finishing some of his other current and planned book projects.[11]

Caplan's arguments in favor of pacifism have been critiqued by Tyler Cowen on the Marginal Revolution blog[12] and by many others.[13][14]

Open borders

Caplan is a vocal proponent of open borders, submitting that immigration restrictions keep the poor locked in a prison of poverty, limiting both freedom and prosperity.[15] He has made his case in an article for the Cato Journal[16] and numerous other writings on his blog and elsewhere, as well as in talks and debates.[17] In January 2013, Caplan wrote a blog post for Open Borders: The Case describing how he personally came to support open borders.[18]

Caplan was cited as one of the leading proponents of the open borders position in an article in The Atlantic by Shaun Raviv.[19] Caplan's persuasiveness as an open borders advocate was analysed at Open Borders: The Case.[20] Caplan's position on open borders has been critiqued by many individuals, including Steve Sailer,[21] Vox Day,[22] and others.[23]

Anarcho-capitalism

Caplan is an anarcho-capitalist, citing influences such as Murray Rothbard and David D. Friedman, and has written on the feasibility and desirability of a stateless society.[24] He promotes austerity for marginal reform.[25][26] Caplan identifies closely with Michael Huemer's position on anarcho-capitalism (in addition to sharing other ethical and meta-ethical views with Huemer) and played an important role in promoting Huemer's The Problem of Political Authority on his blog, EconLog.[27][28]

Other moral and political views

Caplan has criticized left-libertarianism.[29][30] He also has criticized some economists' use of an efficiency-only moral standard.[31]

Austrian economics

As Caplan wrote on an article that published on his George Mason University faculty page in 1997, he considered himself an Austrian economist before graduate school, and much of his work draws upon themes in Austrian economics. However, he writes that he is not an Austrian economist anymore and most of his academic work on Austrian economics is critical. He has written that "while self-labeled Austrian economists have some valid contributions to make to economics, these are simply not distinctive enough to sustain a school of thought. The task of developing an alternate Austrian paradigm has largely failed, producing an abundance of meta-economics (philosophy, methodology, and history of thought), but few substantive results."[32]

In September 2012, Caplan participated in a Cato Unbound debate along with Steven Horwitz, George Selgin, and Antony Davies on the value of Austrian economics.[33] In his response essay, Caplan reiterated some of his earlier critiques of Austrian economics and also argued that Austrians' rejection and/or neglect of behavioral economics was puzzling given their philosophy of subjectivism.[34]

Public choice

The bulk of Caplan's academic work is in public economics, especially public choice theory. He has agreed with political economist Donald Wittman that traditional public choice has reached conclusions inconsistent with the canonical assumption of voter rationality; many of his publications examine the effects of relaxing this assumption, an idea Caplan dubbed rational irrationality.[35] In a series of exchanges with Wittman, Caplan defended many of the conclusions of public choice while agreeing that Wittman's criticisms hold under the assumption of voter rationality.[36][37][38][39] Caplan has also done empirical work on public opinion which suggests voters indeed hold systematically biased views about economics.[40] His book, The Myth of the Rational Voter, provides a detailed account of Caplan's theory of rational irrationality as well as his summary of some empirical evidence of voters' systemically biased beliefs about economics.[citation needed]

Intellectual honesty

Caplan has written about the problem of preference falsification in the face of social pressure and said that: "I think the wisest course is to turn the other cheek. I will not call anyone else names, express my disappointment in them, or try to shame them."[41]

Caplan has called himself a "betting man" and stated that people who make predictions about the future should be willing to make bets about their claims. He has proposed and made a number of bets with others.[42][43] He has been critical of the view offered by Tyler Cowen and Noah Smith that financial portfolios are a better test of one's true beliefs than bets.[44]

Inspired by a blog post by Paul Krugman, Caplan also proposed the concept of an "Ideological Turing Test" (named by analogy to the Turing test).[45] His blog post inspired a number of tries at the ideological Turing test.[46][47]

Other views

In a Cato Unbound piece, Caplan identified himself as a natalist – he believes that more people are good for the world.[48] He identifies himself as a fan of Julian Simon, who was a proponent of the idea that larger populations lead to greater technological progress and a higher standard of living for all.[49]

Caplan believes that much of higher education is signaling.[3] He is a believer in dualism[50] and in libertarian free will.[51] Caplan also holds the view that twin studies and adoption studies have demonstrated conclusively that parenting style has very little impact on the adult outcomes of children.[52]

Media

Caplan has published multiple op-eds as well as a book review in the Wall Street Journal.[53][54][55] He also participated in a live chat with Laura Carroll and Will Wilkinson for the WSJ.[56]

Caplan debated "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua in The Guardian in June 2011 regarding the merits of different parenting styles.[57][58]

Caplan has been interviewed by the New York Times Economix blog,[59] and the Freakonomics blog.[60][61] He has also guest blogged for Freakonomics.[62] Caplan's book and Freakonomics guest posts were also picked up by the New York Times parenting blog.[63]

Caplan appeared on Fox and Friends where he was interviewed by Gretchen Carlson about his advice on child-rearing and his book Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids.[64][65]

References

  1. ^ Caplan autobiography http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/autobio.htm
  2. ^ a b "Autobiography of Bryan Caplan". Econfaculty.gmu.edu. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "The Magic of Education".
  4. ^ Caplan, Bryan (April 5, 2010). "The Common-Sense Case for Pacifism". EconLog.
  5. ^ "Caplan-Somin "Liberty and Foreign Policy" Debate Page". EconLog. July 15, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  6. ^ Caplan, Bryan (February 17, 2013). "Pacifism in 4 Easy Steps". EconLog. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  7. ^ "Debate: Is War Ever Justified". LearnLiberty. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  8. ^ "How Not to Be a Pacifist". EconLog. August 17, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  9. ^ Caplan, Bryan (March 22, 2010). "Why Libertarians Should Be Pacifists, Not Isolationists". EconLog. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  10. ^ Caplan, Bryan (September 17, 2013). "Game of Thrones and the Common-Sense Case for Pacifism". EconLog. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  11. ^ Caplan, Bryan (September 30, 2010). "My Plans". Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  12. ^ Cowen, Tyler (April 25, 2011). "Bryan Caplan defends pacifism". EconLog. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  13. ^ Miller, Joshua (April 26, 2011). "Caplan's Pacifism".
  14. ^ "Against Caplan's Pacifism". April 25, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  15. ^ Caplan, Bryan. "Caplan on Immigration". EconTalk (hosted by Russ Roberts). {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Caplan, Bryan (Winter 2012). "Why Should We Restriction Immigration" (PDF). Cato Journal. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Bryan Caplan". Open Borders: The Case. Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Caplan, Bryan (January 2, 2013). "My Path to Open Borders". Open Borders: The Case. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  19. ^ Raviv, Shaun (April 26, 2013). "If People Could Immigrate Anywhere, Would Poverty Be Eliminated?". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 27, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Naik, Vipul (October 23, 2012). "How persuasive are open borders advocates? The case of Bryan Caplan". Open Borders: The Case. Retrieved September 27, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Sailer, Steve (November 12, 2012). "Bryan Caplan: 3 more challenges to Sailerian citizenism". Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  22. ^ Day, Vox (August 12, 2013). "Bryan Caplan and the Open Borders movement". Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  23. ^ "Caplan: Open Debate on Open Borders Isn't "Just"". May 22, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  24. ^ "Anarchist Theory FAQ Version 5.2". Econfaculty.gmu.edu. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  25. ^ "Austerity for Liberty, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty". Econlog.econlib.org. September 13, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  26. ^ Caplan, Bryan (April 2, 2013). "Crazy Equilibria: From Democracy to Anarcho-Capitalism". EconLog. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  27. ^ Caplan, Bryan (February 1, 2012). "What's So Special About Huemer's New Book?". EconLog. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  28. ^ "Huemer's Common-Sense Libertarianism". EconLog. January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  29. ^ "Why I Am Not a Left-Libertarian, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty". Econlog.econlib.org. September 21, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  30. ^ "Should Libertarians Oppose "Capitalism"?, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty". Econlog.econlib.org. March 2, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  31. ^ "Liberty versus Efficiency". Econfaculty.gmu.edu. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  32. ^ Caplan, Bryan (1997). "Why I Am Not an Austrian Economist". Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  33. ^ "Theory and Practice in the Austrian School". September 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  34. ^ Caplan, Bryan (September 7, 2012). "Horwitz, Economy, and Empirics". Cato Unbound. Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ http://www.gmu.edu/depts/economics/bcaplan/micfoundrev.doc
  36. ^ http://www.econjournalwatch.org/pdf/CaplanCommentApril2005.pdf
  37. ^ http://www.econjournalwatch.org/pdf/WittmanReplyApril2005.pdf
  38. ^ http://www.econjournalwatch.org/pdf/CaplanRejoinderAugust2005.pdf
  39. ^ http://www.econjournalwatch.org/pdf/Wittman2ndReplyAugust2005.pdf
  40. ^ "The Myth of the Rational Voter". Cato Unbound. November 5, 2006. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  41. ^ "Preference Falsification: A Case Study".
  42. ^ "What Does the Betting Norm Tax?".
  43. ^ Caplan, Bryan (May 5, 2012). "The Bettor's Oath". EconLog. Retrieved January 30, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ Caplan, Bryan (July 1, 2013). "Bets, Portfolios, and Belief Revelation". EconLog. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  45. ^ Caplan, Bryan (June 20, 2011). "The Ideological Turing Test". EconLog.
  46. ^ Caplan, Bryan (June 23, 2011). "Two Tries at the Ideological Turing Test". EconLog.
  47. ^ "Religious Turing Test Update". EconLog. July 7, 2011.
  48. ^ Caplan, Bryan. "Population, Fertility and Liberty". Cato Unbound.
  49. ^ "The Julian Simon Club".
  50. ^ "Searle".
  51. ^ "Free will".
  52. ^ "The Tiger Mother versus Cost-Benefit Analysis".
  53. ^ Caplan, Bryan (June 19, 2010). "The Breeders' Cup". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  54. ^ Caplan, Bryan (April 11, 2011). "Twin Lessons: Have More Kids. Pay Less Attention to Them". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  55. ^ "O Brother, Who Art Thou?". Wall Street Journal. June 20, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  56. ^ "Live Chat: Should You Have More Kids?". Wall Street Journal. April 14, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  57. ^ Saner, Emine (June 11, 2011). "Is strict parenting better for children?". The Guardian. Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  58. ^ Caplan, Bryan (June 11, 2011). "Caplan vs. Chua Debate in the Guardian". EconLog. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  59. ^ Caplan, Bryan (April 7, 2011). "The Case for Having More Kids". Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  60. ^ Dubner, Stephen J. (October 25, 2012). "We the Sheeple: A New Freakonomics Podcast". Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  61. ^ Caplan, Bryan (August 18, 2011). "The Worst Mistake I Ever Made: An Economists' Parenting Quorum". Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  62. ^ Caplan, Bryan (April 13, 2011). "Kids and Costs: A Guest Post on Twins by Bryan Caplan". Freakonomics. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  63. ^ Belkin, Lisa (April 12, 2011). "An Economist's Argument for More Children". New York Times (parenting blog). Retrieved September 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  64. ^ "Bryan Caplan discusses Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids on Fox and Friends". Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  65. ^ Caplan, Bryan (April 21, 2011). "The Nurture of Gretchen Carlson: A Guest Post by Bryan Caplan". Retrieved September 18, 2013.

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