The government requires a license to work about 500 different jobs. How arbitrary and unreasonable can those licensing requirements be before they violate your constitutional (state or US) rights to earn an honest living? Can the government pass laws just to protect established businesses with good lobbyists? If the regulations violate your rights, what can you do?

My guest today is Arif Panju (@arifpanju) of the Institute for Justice (@IJ). Arif and IJ have sued the government in state and local courts to protect the rights of regular folks to earn a living without unreasonable government interference. We talk about several important cases that they have litigated, including Patel v Dept of Licensing and Regulation and St Joseph Abbey v Castille, 712 F3d 215.

What do these cases (and similar cases) mean for economic freedom? What do they mean for you?

Other cases mentioned: Buck v Bell and Kelo v New London.