Ron Paul Scholars Seminar educates on foreign policy and civil liberties

In June 2025, the Ron Paul Scholars Seminar took place as a one-day event aimed at discussing foreign policy and civil liberties. This seminar featured lectures from noteworthy advocates for liberty and peace, catering to individuals interested in enhancing their understanding of these critical topics. At the seminar, expert speakers provided insights into the principles of individual freedom and the importance of a non-interventionist foreign policy, echoing the foundational beliefs of the Austrian School of economics that both Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard espoused. Concurrent to the seminar, discussions regarding significant legislative movements were taking place in the U.S. Senate. During the weekend, Senate members worked on what was publicly termed the “Big Beautiful Bill” with the objective of swiftly passing it through to the House of Representatives in hopes of getting it to President Donald Trump’s desk prior to the Fourth of July. Such legislative efforts reflect ongoing political maneuvers in a politically charged climate, with potential repercussions on economic policies that could impact civil liberties. During this time, many also reflected upon the intellectual evolution of notable economist Murray Rothbard. At the Rothbard Graduate Seminar, discussions traced his journey through the economics Ph.D. program at Columbia University. His exploration led to a critical dissatisfaction with dominant economic theories of his time, ultimately driving him towards the principles of Austrian economics. This intellectual shift emphasized a need to contextualize historical narratives in accordance with the prevailing ideologies of their respective periods. As challenges persist in both historical interpretation and current economic climates — evidenced by ongoing unemployment claims remaining at their highest since early 2018, aside from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic — the endpoint stressed in various discussions at the seminar remains that a firm grasp of economic philosophy aligned with principles of freedom and peace remains vital. This philosophy stands in contrast to the mainstream collectivist views often taught in modern history classes.