This DVD shows how the economic transformation of Hong Kong from a modest trading centre to a modern industrial and free-trade economy (prior to China's annexation) came about through a reliance on the market and economic liberty rather than on central planning through governmental direction. Great Britain established the crown colony of Hong Kong in 1841, just 65 years after the publication of "The Wealth of Nations". It was designated a free port from the start, with no duties or protective tariffs for its residents. This DVD takes an in-depth look at the economy of Hong Kong in its final days as a British colony. We see how it was transformed into a modern industrial economy solely by reliance on he invisible hand of the market. Seeing Hong Kong as a laboratory experiment that confirms Adam Smith's theories, the DVD outlines a proven strategy for the development of emerging economies and a powerful argument for a capitalist economy bolstered by balanced budgets, low tax rates, and avoidance of government borrowing.

As leaders of the Institute of Economic Affairs, or IEA in London for many years, Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon pioneered the thoughtful application of free-market principles and greatly influenced public policy and economic thought throughout he world. Approximate running time: 59 minutes.

As economic advisor to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Sir Alan Walters was an important figure in the transformation of economic policy and the resulting unprecedented boom that took place in the UK during the 1980s. He has written influential articles on public sector pricing, economic statistics, and cost-benefit analysis, and he has taught at the University of Birmingham, the London School of Economics, and Johns Hopkins University. Approximate running time of this title is 62 minutes.

An early leader of the classical liberalism revival movement, Leonard Liggio is one of the most ardent defenders of the tenets of personal liberty in the world today. Liggio is Executive Vice President of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, Distinguished Senior Scholar of the Institute for Humane Studies, and a research professor at George Mason University. He also serves on the Editorial Board of the "American Journal of Jurisprudence" in the Law School at Notre Dame, and he is past President of both the Mont Pelerin Society and the Philadelphia Society. The approximate running time: 95 minutes.

Ralph McInerny is among the most noted Catholic philosophers and authors of our day. He has taught at the University of Notre Dame since 1955, and since 1978 has been the Michael P Grace Professor of Medieval Studies. Alongside his academic work, he has authored the best-selling and internationally acclaimed "Father Dowling Mysteries" which were made into a series for public television. Approximate running time: 65 minutes.

Richard Cornuelle has greatly impacted how we think about voluntary institutions in the United States. Through such works as "Reclaiming the American Dream" and "De-Managing America, " and through his work with the Foundation for Economic Education and the Volker Fund, he has called important attention to the needs and possibilities of those organizations that exist to address social problems through non-governmental means. His latest work points to what he believes is a great liberating social transformation that is already underway. Interviewer William C. Dennis is a Senior Fellow at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation and Adjunct Scholar at the Acton Institute. From 1985 to 2001, he served Liberty Fund, Inc., and its sister organization the Pierre F. and Enid Goodrich Foundation in various capacities, including Program Officer, Director of Publications, and Director of Grants. Dennis was a professor of American History at Denison University from 1968 to 1985. Current professional interests include the importance of liberty in thinking about environmental questions. Program Length: 60 minutes.

Among the foremost scholars in the continuing development of the Austrian School of economic theory, Israel Kirzner discusses the working of a free society and illuminates the vital role of entrepreneurs in the economic process. Approxiamte running time: 61 minutes.

Henry Manne was one of the early proponents of the study of law and economics. He founded the Center for Law and Economics, now at George Mason University, and has directed scores of law and economics seminars attended by economists, judges, lawyers, educators and policy-makers. Mannes book "Wall Street in Transition" redefined the commonly held theory of the corporate firm and brought unprecedented criticism from the Securities and Exchange Commission, which later came to embrace some of his views. His book, "Insider Trading and the Stock Market" jolted the conventional wisdom of its day. His articles in "Barron's" and the "Wall Street Journal" sparked debate of government policy, and his remaining canon traces a true portrait in the quest for classical liberty. The approximate running time: 87 minutes.

The relationship of the individual and the state is the central theme of Anthony de Jasay's distinguished career. Here he discusses the concepts of power, politics, and freedom that led to such brilliant works as "The State". Approximate running time: 67 minutes.

Recognised as one of the most influential voices in the areas of market structure, the theory of the firm, law and economics, resource unemployment, and monetary theory and policy, Armen Alchian outlines the UCLA tradition of economics which he helped found and explores its many unanticipated consequences. Approximate running time: 64 minutes.

Considered a leading voice in criminology and political philosophy, Ernest van den Haag discusses his ongoing work in criminal law and criminology, and he explains how his great insights relate to his central belief in a free society. Approximate running time: 77 minutes.

Paul McCracken's influence on how we think about economic policy has reached from the academy, to the popular press, to the highest reaches of government. He is the Edmund Ezra Day Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration at the University of Michigan, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1948. Approximate running time: 61 minutes.

Manuel Ayau was the founder and former rector and teacher of economics at Universidad Francisco Marroquin. Begun as an alternative to the prevailing statist views of higher education in Guatemala, Francisco Marroquin is now regarded as that country's finest university. In addition to being a successful businessman, Ayau was a former Chairman of the Guatemala Stock Exchange, a member of the Guatemala House of Representatives, and served as President of the Mont Pelerin Society. After meeting him in 1979, Ronald Reagan described Ayau as "one of the few people in the high political sphere who understands what is going on down there." Interviewer William (Bill) Weston is president emeritus of Foundation Francisco Marroquin, a U.S. effort launched in 1981 by three California professors of economics: Armen Alchian, J. Clayburn La Force, and Arthur Kemp, to support education in market principles in Latin America. Earlier he was in charge of public affairs at Sun Oil Compnay, now Sunoco, from which he retired in 1975 to assist in the growth of the Law and Economics Center founded by Henry Manne and Roger Miller at the University of Miami. Program Length: 69 minutes

M Stanton Evans is the former editor of "The Indianapolis News" and founding director of the National Journalism Center in Washington DC. The Journalism Center is dedicated to teaching young journalists not only the technical skills of their trade, but a deep understanding of the issues they will be covering. Over 1300 young journalists have trained at the centre, and have gone on to jobs at all the major news channels, magazines, and newspapers across the country. Evans has been a columnist for the "Los Angles Times Syndicate" and a commentator for CBS radio-TV, NPR, and the Voice of America. He is the author of seven books. Approximate running time: 66 minutes.

One of the 20th century's leading thinkers on the relationship between free trade and the economics of developing countries, Lord Peter Thomas Bauer discusses his clear ideas on the effectiveness of government aid and intervention in the Third World. Approximate running time: 58 minutes.

This DVD uses pictures and quotations from the Founding period of the US to discuss the idea of liberty as it was understood by the revolutionary generation and how the concern for the preservation of liberty culminated in the writing of the Constitution in 1787. How many students know how the US came to dissolution in the decade before the Constitution was signed? This DVD tells the turbulent story of America's trials and tribulations in the period between the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Constitution. Visually, the film brings the story to life and introduces the viewer to what 18th century America looked like. There are shots of artefacts from the Liberty Bell to the clothing and money of the time. There are scenes of restored historical sites, and images from the great American painters of the age illustrate the patriots and the historical events they created. 'Interviews' with the founders themselves bring the rich history of the framing of the Constitution to life.

John Hospers is Professor Emeritus in Philosophy at the University of Southern California and author of such important philosophical texts as "Meaning and Truth in the Arts", "Human Conduct" and "An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis". Approximate running time: 59 minutes.

Raoul Berger was the foremost scholar of constitutional law to defend the doctrine of originalism in our day. His thought is set in the context of his long and rich life, from Russian emigre in Chicago to musician, to his masterful examinations of the legal underpinnings of a free society. From his earliest days as a young Russian emigre in Chicago, to his role as a leading scholar of constitutional law, Raoul Berger is presented in this new program that combines original footage of his life, his personal reflections, and commentary.

Trained in both economics and law, Ljubo Sirc combines the perspective of a scholar with his firsthand observations of the dangers of the communist regimes. Since 1983, he has served as Director of the Centre for Research into Post-Communist Economies in London. He is the author of numerous books and articles in a variety of languages. His autobiography, 'Between Hitler and Tito' was published in 1989. Approximate running time: 66 minutes.

Contrary to a prevalent belief, the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century dramatically improved the standard of living of the people. The 3 parts of this DVD attempt to show how this remarkable transformation came about. "The Industrial Revolution" series focuses on England's transformation in the 18th and 19th centuries which initiated a process of economic growth and social and political change that some call the greatest economic discontinuity in history. The significance of the Industrial Revolution is explained by showing its causes and consequences. Approximate running time: 87 minutes.

One of the foremost historians of the Industrial Revolution discusses what really happened to the quality of life and standard of living for those who lived throughout the industrialised West. Approximate running time: 66 minutes.

Gary Becker was named the 1992 Nobel laureate in Economics for 'having extended the domain microeconomic analysis to a wide range of human behaviour and interaction, including non-market behaviour'. He is the University Professor of Economics and Sociology at the University of Chicago and the Rose-Marie and Jack R Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Approximate running time: 90 minutes.

Ronald Coase received the 1991 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science. His articles 'The Probelem of Social Cost' and 'The Nature of the Firm' are among the most important and most often cited works in the whole of economic literature.

Recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics and a leader of the Chicago school of monetary economics, Milton Friedman has long been recognised as one our most important economic thinkers. A Senior Research fellow at the Hoover Institution since 1977, he is also the Paul Snowden Russell Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Chicago, where he taught from 1946 to 1976.

One of our most distinguished contemporary cultural historians, Jacques Barzun reflects on his long academic career and the movement of ideas he helped to shape through his insightful writings on liberal education in America. Approximate running time: 60 minutes.