Occasional Papers

Occasional Papers (OP) are short publications usually based on a lecture or presentation given at the CIS. Our annual John Bonython and Acton Lectures are part of the OP series.
Categories
The Multi-layered Hayek
Friedrich August von Hayek was one of the intellectual giants of the 20th century. His contributions ranged from economics to philosophy, from law to psychology. This collection of essays aims to rediscover... Read More
Fairness in a Liberal Society
Richard Epstein unravels different conceptions of fairness, a term whcih is elusive and indefinable, yet an indispensible part of our language. Read More
In Defence of Secure Property Rights, 2nd revised edition
Secure private property rights are vital to the development of a growing, healthy Australian economy. Property rights allow owners to be free to access, use and benefit from and dispose of their property... Read More
In Defence of Secure Property Rights
Secure private property rights are vital to the development of a growing, healthy Australian economy. Property rights allow owners to be free to access, use and benefit from and dispose of their property... Read More
Principles for a Free Society
The need for a principled reconciliation between the prerogatives of individual liberty and social order has been a central preoccupation of classical liberal philosophy. Professor Richard Epstein of the... Read More
How Much Justice Does A Society Need?
In the ninth John Bonython Lecture, Kenneth R. Minogue, Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics, recalls that justice used to mean the rule of law, or the impartial application... Read More
The Fraternal Conceit: Individualist versus Collectivist Ideas of Community
In this Occasional Paper, Dr Chandran Kukathas defends the liberal conception of civil association, in which individuals bound by rules of just conduct can peacefully coexist and pursue their private individual... Read More
The Crisis in Law
Professor Norman Barry argues that the current crisis in the law stems from the demise of the common law (which consists of general rules of conduct guiding individuals in the pursuit of their self chosen... Read More
Law and Liberty
In the Fourth John Bonython Lecture, Shirley Letwin analyses the way in which the rule of law sustains individual liberty and a free society. Because the law provides a framework of rules for general cases,... Read More
The Case Against the Arbitration Commission
The Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission is the main obstacle to much-needed reform of industrial relations according to the author of this essay. Read More
Law and Liberty
In the Fourth John Bonython Lecture, Shirley Letwin analyses the way in which the rule of law sustains individual liberty and a free society. Because the law provides a framework of rules for general cases,... Read More
The Crisis in Law
In this Occasional Paper, Professor Norman Barry argues that the current crisis in the law stems from the demise of the common law (which consists of general rules of conduct guiding individuals in the... Read More

