The Future of American Political Economy Conference

Sold out! But you can still catch the livestream!

We apologize, but we’ve experienced overwhelming demand for this conference and have reached capacity. But you can livestream the event by clicking on the red button below. 

On July 23–24, some of the country’s most respected thinkers and leaders will come together to hash out what a conservative approach to the economy should look like today.

ISI’s weekend conference in Alexandria, Virginia, will feature an all-star roster of speakers: Hillbilly Elegy author J. D. Vance, Senator Marco Rubio, bestselling author Amity Shlaes, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and more than 20 others.

Although the conference is sold out, you can register for the video livestream.

Featured Speakers

JD Vance
J. D. Vance

Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Hillbilly Elegy

Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio

U.S. Senator

Amity Shlaes
Amity Shlaes

New York Times bestselling author of The Forgotten ManCoolidge, and Great Society

Jeff Sessions
Jeff Sessions

Former U.S. Attorney General

Panelists

You’ll hear lively panel discussions on a range of important topics, including: Cronyism and the Administrative State; China, Geonomics, and Great Power Competition; Big Tech Censorship and Monopoly Power; Thriving Families and Middle-Class Prosperity; and more.

The speakers include:

  • Helen Andrews, Senior Editor, The American Conservative
  • Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute
  • Rachel Bovard, Senior Director of Policy, Conservative Partnership Institute
  • Chris Buskirk, Editor and Publisher, American Greatness
  • Oren Cass, Executive Director, American Compass
  • Donald J. Devine, Senior Scholar, The Fund for American Studies
  • Saagar Enjeti, Cohost, Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar
  • Judge Glock, Senior Policy Adviser, Cicero Institute
  • Zach Graves, Head of Public Policy, Lincoln Network
  • Samuel Gregg, Research Director, Acton Institute
  • Josh Hammer, Opinion Editor, Newsweek
  • Samuel Hammond, Director of Poverty and Welfare Policy, Niskanen Center
  • Jennifer Huddleston, Director of Technology and Innovation Policy, American Action Forum
  • Julius Krein, Editor, American Affairs
  • Karin Lips, President, Network of Enlightened Women
  • Daniel McCarthy, Editor, Modern Age
  • Julia R. Norgaard, Assistant Professor of Economics, Pepperdine University
  • Ramesh Ponnuru, Editor, National Review
  • Richard M. Reinsch II, Editor, Law & Liberty
  • Jay W. Richards, Research Assistant Professor, Catholic University of America
  • Brigadier General Robert Spalding, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
  • Alan Tonelson, Founder, RealityChek blog

 

Key Details

Dates

July 23–24, 2021

 

 

Location

Hilton Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia

 

 

Schedule of Events

 

Friday, July 23

 

2 p.m.: Registration Opens

 

3 p.m.: Opening Remarks

John A. Burtka IV
President, ISI

 

3:15 p.m.: Which Way, American Political Economy?

The American System of Alexander Hamilton
Oren Cass

Political Economy from Adam Smith to Thomas Sowell
Jay W. Richards

Joint Q&A with Oren Cass and Jay W. Richards

 

4:35 p.m.: Break

 

4:45 p.m.: Cronyism and the Administrative State

Panel featuring Donald J. Devine, Josh Hammer, Julius Krein, Julia R. Norgaard, and Richard M. Reinsch II (moderator)

 

5:45 p.m.: Break

 

7 p.m.: Dinner with Keynote Address by J. D. Vance

Dinner sponsored by Bright News and Revolver News

 

 

Saturday, July 24

 

8:30 a.m.: Breakfast

 

9 a.m.: China, Geonomics, and Great Power Competition

Panel featuring Doug Bandow, Samuel Gregg, Robert Spalding, Alan Tonelson, and Daniel McCarthy (moderator)

 

10 a.m.: Senator Marco Rubio

Interviewed by John A. Burtka IV

 

10:45 a.m.: Break

 

11 a.m.: Big Tech Censorship and Monopoly Power

Panel featuring Rachel Bovard, Judge Glock, Zach Graves, Jennifer Huddleston, and Saagar Enjeti (moderator)

Panel sponsored by the Conservative Partnership Institute

 

Noon: Lunch

 

2:25 p.m.: Thriving Families and Middle-Class Prosperity

Panel featuring Chris Buskirk, Samuel Hammond, Karin Lips, Ramesh Ponnuru, and Helen Andrews (moderator)

Panel sponsored by American Greatness

 

3:30 p.m.: Break

 

4 p.m.: The Honorable Jeff Sessions

Interviewed by Rachel Bovard

 

4:45 p.m.: Break

 

7 p.m.: Dinner with Keynote Address by Amity Shlaes

Dinner sponsored by the Honorable C. Boyden Gray

 

Trustee Sponsors

 

The Honorable C. Boyden Gray

Trustee Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

 

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Knoche

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Student Sponsors

 

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Buchanan

Dr. Lee Burnett

Dr. Samuel T. Currin

Mr. Ed Grier

Dr. John Hillen

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Lainer

Mr. and Mrs. Burk Murchison

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Spence

 

Platinum Partners

Platinum Partners

Gold Partners

Gold Partners

Want to Make the Most of the Conference? Enjoy These Readings!

To ensure you get the most out of the weekend, we’ve compiled a special reading list that provides context for the important discussions we’ll have throughout the conference.

The list includes recent pieces by many of the speakers as well as classics by Adam Smith and Alexander Hamilton. 

Attention, Media Members

If you are a member of the media interested in covering the Future of American Political Economy Conference, please contact ISI about receiving a press pass.

Please email Manager of Events Allyssa Schulz-Fricker at aschulz@isi.org.