This debate on the size and scope of government features Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights, versus David Callahan, senior fellow, Demos, and editor of PolicyShop.net.

The size and scope of government has become one of the most contested issues in American politics—and is emerging as a focus of the 2012 election. What is government's proper role? Should it focus on protecting individual rights and free markets? Or on promoting equality and solving society's problems?