Podcasts about American Capitalism

Paul Gigot speaks with former Sen. Phil Gramm about what free trade has done to American manufacturing, the political and economic damage that Donald Trump's volatile tariff policy could have during the 2026 midterm elections, and his new book, “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From 1985-2002 under both Republican and Democratic administrations, Phil Gramm served in the U.S. Senate representing the state of Texas. He joined Diane King Hall at the NYSE to discuss his latest book "The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism" and the state of the U.S. Economy. Sen. Gramm weighs in on President Trump's tariff policy, saying tariffs don't work economically and impede the ability for the country to import products. Later he adds commentary on the "Big Beautiful Bill" being debated in Congress.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – / schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – / schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - / schwab-network About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Popeye might have gotten strong from eating spinach, but for the family of C.F. Seabrook, New Jersey's narcissistic patriarch of industrialized farming, spinach has been a curse. In his new book The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, New Yorker staff writer John Seabrook charts the dramatic rise and fall of his family's Seabrook Farms. Part family memoir, part critique of industrialized agricultural capitalism, Seabrook tells the story of his grandfather C.F. Seabrook, the "Henry Ford of agriculture”, who built a frozen vegetable empire on 20,000 acres in New Jersey. Rather than a celebration of American innovation, however, The Spinach King is a parable about the dark side of capitalist ambition, explaining how the pursuit of industrial-scale farming led to worker exploitation, family destruction, and ultimately, the dynasty's collapse. Seabrook's motivation for writing about the rise and fall of his grandfather's empire? “Revenge,” he confesses, against a monster who cheated his own father and then psychologically humiliated his son. Five Key Takeaways 1. Industrial Agriculture's Labor Problem Remains Unsolved C.F. Seabrook discovered that while you can mechanize many aspects of farming, crucial tasks like harvesting and cultivation still require human hands. This 100-year-old challenge persists today—American agriculture still depends heavily on immigrant labor because Americans won't do the difficult, seasonal work.2. Capitalism Without Checks Corrupts Families The Seabrook story illustrates how pure capitalist pursuit can destroy the very thing it's meant to benefit. C.F. Seabrook's obsession with profit and control led him to psychologically abuse his sons, cheat his own father, and ultimately tear apart his family dynasty through paranoia and manipulation.3. Generational Conflict Doomed the Business The company's downfall wasn't primarily due to labor issues or market forces, but from irreconcilable differences between C.F. and his Princeton-educated son. The elder Seabrook's anti-union, authoritarian approach clashed with his son's more progressive values, creating internal warfare that destroyed the business.4. Personal Motivation Drives Powerful Storytelling John Seabrook openly admits he wrote the book for revenge against his grandfather, who had psychologically tormented his father. This personal stake transforms what could have been dry business history into a compelling family reckoning with broader implications for American capitalism.5. Agricultural Scale Has Natural Limits Unlike grain farming, vegetable agriculture may have inherent scaling limitations. Seabrook's grandfather tried to apply Henry Ford's mass production principles to farming, but vegetables—especially those requiring hand-picking—resist the kind of industrial scaling that works for manufacturing or grain production.John Seabrook has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for more than three decades. He is the author of The Song Machine, Flash of Genius, Nobrow and other books. The film ​“Flash of Genius” was based on one of his stories. He and his family live in Brooklyn.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, capitalism has unleashed unimaginable growth in opportunity and prosperity. And yet, at key points in American history, economic disruption has led to a greater role for government, ostensibly to protect against capitalism's excesses. Today, government regulates, mandates, subsidizes and controls a growing share of the American economy. Today on the show, retired U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, one of America's premier public policy advocates, and noted economist Donald J. Boudreaux look at the seven events and issues in American history that define, for most Americans, the role of government and how the 21st century world works. To many, these 5 periods of American history—the Industrial Revolution, Progressive Era, Great Depression, decline of America's postwar preeminence in world trade, and the Great Recession—along with the existing levels of income inequality and poverty, represent strong evidence for expanding government in American life. Gramm and Boudreaux argue that the evidence might point to a contrary verdict. Phil Gramm served six years in the U.S. House of Representatives and eighteen years in the U.S. Senate where he was Chairman of the Banking Committee. Gramm is a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He was Vice Chairman of UBS Investment Bank and is now Vice Chairman of Lone Star Funds. He taught Economics at Texas A&M University and has published numerous articles and books. Donald J. Boudreaux is an American economist, author, professor, and co-director of the Program on the American Economy and Globalization at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. His writings have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, The Washington Times, and many scholarly publications. Their new book is The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.

In this powerful and timely episode of The Neil Haley Show, Neil sits down with Senator Phil Gramm, former U.S. Senator and economist, and Donald J. Boudreaux, a respected economics professor and thought leader, to discuss their groundbreaking book:The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.Together, they break down the most widespread lies about capitalism and why free markets, competition, and innovation continue to be the greatest forces for human progress and prosperity.

In this episode, Mark Thornton discusses The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism, the new book by Senator Phil Gramm and Professor Donald J. Boudreaux.Mark reflects on the persistent misconceptions about capitalism in America and offers up a "Marxist interpretation" of our dilemma. He explores how entrenched ideologies shape the way information is presented, the influence of state actors on education and media, and the ways in which these forces skew perceptions of economic history. Ultimately, Mark argues for a more critical and evidence-based approach to understanding capitalism.Additional Resources"Your Kids Are Already Communists, and College Will Make It Worse" (Minor Issues, Episode 89): Mises.org/MI_89"Political Bias in Academia" (Minor Issues, Episode 95): Mises.org/MI_95Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues

Conventional wisdom is brimming with economic myths: the Industrial Revolution impoverished the masses; bobber barons were the scourge of the Gilded Age; the Great Recession was caused by irresponsible deregulation. Senator Phil Gramm and economist Don Boudreaux attempt to set the record straight in their new book, “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.”

What role should the government play in small business owners economic life? It seems that with the Trump tariffs are at tax that the government is putting on all our lives, but should it just stay out of it?My next guests argue that that the evidence points to that  government interference and failed policies pose the most significant threat to economic freedom.Senator Phil Gramm served six years in the U.S. House of Representatives and eighteen years in the U.S. Senate where he was Chairman of the Banking Committee. Senator Gramm is a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.I also talk with Donald J. Boudreaux who is an American economist, author, professor, and co-director of the Program on the American  Economy and Globalization at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.They have a new book called “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism”.Here is what we discussed:The genesis myth: the industrial revolution impoverished workersThe progressive era regulation: the myth and the history The myth that the great depression was a failure of capitalism The myth of trade hollowing out American manufacturing The financial crisis myth: deregulation caused the financial crisis The myth and reality of income inequality in America The myth that poverty is a failure of American capitalismBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

On episode 192 of The Compound and Friends, ⁠⁠Downtown Josh Brown⁠⁠ is joined by Chris Davis and John Authers to discuss: Warren Buffett's Legacy, the future of Berkshire Hathaway, 3 massive transitions happening in the market, the trade war, and much more! This episode is sponsored by Apex Fintech Solutions. Learn more at: ⁠https://apexfintechsolutions.com/augmented-advice⁠ Sign up for The Compound Newsletter and never miss out: ⁠⁠thecompoundnews.com/subscribe⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/thecompoundnews⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠twitter.com/thecompoundnews⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/the-compound-media/⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠tiktok.com/@thecompoundnews⁠⁠ Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. Michael Batnick and Josh Brown are employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management and may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this video. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. The Compound Media, Incorporated, an affiliate of ⁠⁠Ritholtz Wealth Management⁠⁠, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here ⁠⁠https://ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers⁠⁠. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Obviously nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. See our disclosures here: ⁠⁠https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Sen. Phil Gramm joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss his new book, The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism. Phil and Jonah reminisce on the triumphs of the Industrial Revolution, better days in Congress, and Ronald Reagan's disdain for protectionism. Show Notes:—Order Sen. Gramm's book, The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including Jonah's G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn to invest alongside the top minds in commodities. Join The Commodity University today. CLICK: https://2ly.link/211gp Today on the Jay Martin Show, Professor Richard Wolff breaks down the meteoric rise of China's economy and how this will affect the world moving forward. From the Belt and Road Initiative to electric vehicle dominance and global GDP realignment, Wolff explores how China's hybrid economic model has challenged Western supremacy. Together, we examine whether the U.S. is in denial about its decline, if China's rise is sustainable, and if missing economic data from Beijing signals deeper troubles ahead. Follow Professor Wolff on X: https://x.com/profwolff Check out Democracy at work: https://www.youtube.com/@democracyatwrk Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at https://2ly.link/211gx Be part of our online investment community: https://cambridgehouse.com https://twitter.com/JayMartinBC https://www.instagram.com/jaymartinbc https://www.facebook.com/TheJayMartinShow https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-house-international 0:00 – The Real Goal of Belt and Road 10:23 – Could China Repeat the Rise-and-Fall of Empires? 19:10 – Is the Panama Canal Story Political Theater? 26:09 – Why China Is Dominating the EV Market 41:12 – Belt and Road: Economic Play or Political Power Move? 45:34 – The New Global Power Bloc: BRICS vs G7 50:02 – Is China's Success Built on Private Capitalism or State Control? 54:49 – America's Cultural Taboo 58:26 – Why Is China Hiding Its Economic Data? 1:04:32 – The Flawed Faith in Statistics Copyright © 2025 Cambridge House International Inc. All rights reserved.

Since the 1980s, Donald Trump has been railing against what he calls unfair trade with a focus on Japan and then China. Also during the '80s, President Reagan, remembered as a free trader, was an interventionist when it came to the closed Japanese market. A decade later, Bill Clinton threatened punitive tariffs on Japanese luxury cars. Moreover, the question of what to do about the decline in U.S. manufacturing and living standards has weighed on policymakers and the working class for 40 years. In this episode, historian Nelson Lichtenstein traces the origins of today's backlash to free trade as President Trump tries, with the blunt force instrument of tariffs, to undo global economic arrangements decades in the making. Recommended reading: A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism by Nelson Lichtenstein

Breht goes on the Pokepreet Podcast as a guest to have a fun and fiery conversation about his ideological development, why the United States is so hostile to socialism even relative to other hyper-capitalist countries, the current grotesque state of global capitalism-imperialism, and much more! "In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with Breht O'Shea to dive deep into the current state of world imperialism, the decline of the American empire, and the evolving global power dynamics. Brett opens up about how his ideology has transformed over time, offering a candid and enlightening perspective on his journey.  This is one of the best conversations we've had on the podcast and I hope you enjoy!" If you like the episode, go leave him a good review on Apple or Spotify and show him some Rev Left Love!  Find Pokepreet: Podcast main webiste: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/pokepreetpod  Twitter: https://x.com/Thepokepreetpod   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pokepreet_1/?locale=es&hl=en Substack:https://substack.com/@pokepreet ----------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left HERE

This week on Economic Update, Professor Wolff delivers updates on the firing of government workers by Trump/Musk with an economic analysis showing it to be an attack on the U.S. working class followed by a discussion of Trump's foreign policy of turning against Europe as merely an adjustment to an "American Capitalism First" project that is as old as the U.S. The second half of the show, features an interview with U.S. federal employee Colin Smalley, a sixteen-year member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and an IFPTE union member who discusses how and why workers are fighting back.   The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely on viewer support to continue doing so. You can support our work by joining our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork Or you can go to our website: https://www.democracyatwork.info/donate   Every donation counts and helps us provide a larger audience with the information they need to better understand the events around the world they can't get anywhere else. We want to thank our devoted community of supporters who help make this show and others we produce possible each week.1:01 We kindly ask you to also support the work we do by encouraging others to subscribe to our YouTube channel and website: www.democracyatwork.info

Is Bill Clinton responsible for this Trump Era? In this episode, Dr. Nelson Lichtenstein, professor of History at UC Santa Barbara, and co-author of the book A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism joins the pod to examine the complexities of Bill Clinton's presidency and its enduring effects on American democracy today. We discuss how Clinton's embrace of neoliberalism, exemplified through policies like welfare reform and NAFTA, caused rifts within the Democratic Party and set the stage for right-wing populism. As we dig into the consequences of prioritizing political pragmatism and bipartisanship over progressive ideals, we ask: did Clinton's era create an environment ripe for the rise of figures like Donald Trump?Dr. Lichtenstein highlights political dynamics during the 1990s, the importance of maintaining a strong, progressive base, and lessons that contemporary Democrats can apply as they navigate today's political landscape, while encouraging reflection on labor's role, coalition-building among progressives, and strategies for re-engaging disillusioned voters. -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

In this episode, I sit down with Glory Liu, author of Adam Smith's America: How a Scottish Philosopher Became an Icon of American Capitalism. We delve into her book which examines the intellectual history and evolving interpretations of Adam Smith's ideas in America. Liu, Assistant Research Professor at Johns Hopkins University, discusses how Adam Smith's works have been understood and often misunderstood throughout history. Our conversation covers how economic ideas, power, Milton Friedman and capitalism.Links & resources:Adam Smith's America (book)Glory Liu'swebsite

Breht discusses American Capitalism's Death Drive Accelerationism, how the only path that's left for capitalism is to return us to fuedalism "at a higher level", how dialactics plays out in this context, and why the purposeful cultivation of inner silence and stillness and love is more important than ever.  Support the show on Patreon Follow RLR on IG HERE Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio

President Donald Trump appointed Andy Puzder ambassador to the European Union this past week. But before he heads to Brussels, Puzder is warning about the left-wing scourge of stakeholder capitalism. As the former chief executive of CKE Restaurants, a major fast food corporation operating Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, Puzder knows what it takes to run […]

President Donald Trump appointed Andy Puzder ambassador to the European Union this past week. But before he heads to Brussels, Puzder is warning about the left-wing scourge of stakeholder capitalism. As the former chief executive of CKE Restaurants, a major fast food corporation operating Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, Puzder knows what it takes to run a successful business. That's why he's so alarmed at the trends he's witnessing in corporate America. He spoke to The Daily Signal about his new book, “A Tyranny for the Good of its Victims: The Ugly Truth about Stakeholder Capitalism.” In this episode, we cover: • How BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street accumulated unprecedented control over U.S. corporations • The real meaning behind ESG policies and their impact on American business • Why major brands are adopting policies that seem to conflict with their customer base • The effectiveness of consumer boycotts against woke corporate policies • Capitalism's historic role in reducing global poverty Purchase your copy of “A Tyranny for the Good of Its Victims” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ayJ1gZ  Keep Up With The Daily Signal Sign up for our email newsletters: https://www.dailysignal.com/email   Subscribe to our other shows: The Tony Kinnett Cast: https://www.dailysignal.com/the-tony-kinnett-cast  Problematic Women: https://www.dailysignal.com/problematic-women  The Signal Sitdown: https://www.dailysignal.com/the-signal-sitdown  Follow The Daily Signal: X: https://x.com/DailySignal  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailysignal/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDailySignalNews/  Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@DailySignal  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DailySignal  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/TheDailySignal  Thanks for making The Daily Signal Podcast your trusted source for the day's top news. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anson Frericks, the former President of Anheuser-Busch and author of Last Call for Bud Light, joins the podcast to discuss the decline of Bud Light, the implications of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) policies, and the cultural shifts impacting corporate America. Anson shares insider perspectives on the controversial Dylan Mulvaney partnership, the challenges of stakeholder capitalism, and his vision for restoring shareholder-focused values. Dive into this eye-opening conversation to learn: The origins of Anheuser-Busch's downfall and the Dylan Mulvaney controversy. How ESG policies have reshaped corporate decision-making. Why Bud Light's branding shift alienated its loyal customers. The future of American capitalism and the role of free markets. Interested in learning more about Anson and his book Last Call for Bud Light? Pre-order your copy now by clicking here! Upgrade Your Wallet Game with Ekster!  Get the sleek, smart wallet you deserve—and save while you're at it! Use coupon code FINDINGGENIUS at checkout or shop now with this exclusive link: ekster.com?sca_ref=4822922.DtoeXHFUmQ5  Smarter, slimmer, better. Don't miss out! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

What's wrong with the U.S. economy? Not much according to Wall Street. But according to Adam Chandler, author of 99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life, there's a fundamental contradiction at the heart of American capitalism. While the U.S. leads in AI investment ($50 billion of $56 billion globally in 2020) and Wall Street performance, Chandler notes, there's significant labor unrest at companies like Starbucks and Amazon. He argues that while the American economy appears strong, many workers aren't seeing the benefits. He notes that real wages have declined over 40 years for people of color and those without college degrees, despite recent technological advances. He critiques the American ethos that equates hard work with success, arguing that this overlooks structural barriers and the role of public investment in success stories. Chandler advocates for better worker protections, clearer work-life boundaries, and stronger social safety nets, citing successful pandemic-era programs like expanded child tax credits and unemployment benefits. He also discusses the concept of a "third life" - spaces outside work and home where people can socialize and engage as citizens, arguing these are crucial for democracy but increasingly rare. Our discussion concludes with a discussion of Universal Basic Income as a potential solution to workforce disruption from AI, with Chandler citing encouraging results from various pilot programs.Adam Chandler is a journalist and author based in New York. A former staff writer at The Atlantic, his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, WIRED, Vox, Slate, New York Magazine, Texas Monthly, Esquire, TIME, and elsewhere. Chandler is the author of Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom and a recurring guest on The History Channel's The Food That Built America. He regularly appears across television, radio, and digital platforms including CBS Sunday Morning, NPR's Planet Money, Morning Edition, and Here & Now.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

"It's the economy, stupid" - Clinton advisor James Carville, 1992.Bill Clinton left office with a 66% approval rating. This was in large part because 81% of Americans approved his handling of the economy - 71% said the 1999 was the best economy of their lifetimes (according to Gallup). But how much credit does a president really deserve for an economy? And how does Clinton's record on free trade, welfare reform, and deregulation hold up today? Labor historian Nelson Lichtenstein, author of A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism, joins me to discuss the economic legacy of Bill Clinton.Support the show

Midway through his eighth year in office, President Bill Clinton kicked off a White House conference on the "new economy." The internet age was underway, unemployment was low, inflation was dormant, the stock market boomed, major industries had been deregulated, and Congress was preparing to pass a big trade deal with China. The future seemed so bright as Americans enjoyed the longest economic expansion in the country's history. The "new economy" cheerleaders did not foresee the working-class discontent that now defines American capitalism in the Age of Trump. In this episode, historian Nelson Lichtenstein delves into the illusions and missteps that hollowed out the working class.  Further reading: A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism by Nelson Lichtenstein Why Bidenomics Did Not Deliver at the Polls by Dani Rodrik (Project Syndicate) The Decline of Union Hall Politics by Michael Kazin (Dissent)

I share some personal views on another Trump presidency and allow myself a moment to indulge in some optimism. I dive into the concept of America's decline, comparing it to the fall of Rome, and explore the potential for continuation of the empire. I riff on the commentary of Peter Thiel on Bari Weiss's show, Trump's Rogan appearance, Michael Goldstein on the Art of Bitcoin Rhetoric, the Kurt Steiner piece on American Empire: A Morale Project, and Isaac Simpson's piece on the El Segundo Hard Tech movement. 00:00 Body of an American - The Pogues01:17 Thoughts on Trump 10:31 Trump's Policies 17:53 The Power of Memes and Bitcoin20:50 Reflections on the Future of America23:36 The Decline of Rome and America27:14 The American Empire: Great and Good?30:14 The Stagnation and Decadence of Modern America34:15 El Segundo Hard Tech movement38:46 The Stock Market and American Capitalism are intertwined This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gentlemanspeculator.com

What role did Irish Catholics play within the U.S. left? Were Irish radicals more interested in freedom from British rule or in anticapitalism? And what effect did religious beliefs have on Irish Americans' inclinations to break with the mainstream? David Emmons highlights Irish Americans' contributions to dissidence, progressivism, and radicalism in the United States. David Emmons, History's Erratics: Irish Catholic Dissidents and the Transformation of American Capitalism, 1870-1930 University of Illinois Press, 2024 The post Irish American Dissidents appeared first on KPFA.

As our centennial series continues, Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate in economics, university professor at Columbia University, chief economist at the Roosevelt Institute, and author of The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society  (W.W.Norton, 2024), reviews the history of American capitalism and the ebb and flow of regulation.

Sean Illing talks with Glory Liu, the author of Adam Smith's America: How a Scottish Philosopher became an Icon of American Capitalism. Smith is most well-known for being the “father of capitalism,” but as Liu points out in her book, his legacy has been misappropriated — especially in America. They discuss his original intentions and what we can take away from his work today. Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area Guest: Glory Liu (@miss_glory), author; lecturer, Harvard University References: Adam Smith's America: How a Scottish Philosopher became an Icon of American Capitalism by Glory Liu (Princeton; 2022) Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life by Nicholas Phillipson (Yale; 2012) Free to Choose: A Personal Statement by Milton & Rose Friedman (Harcourt; 1980) “Adam Smith's ‘History of Astronomy' and view of science” by Kwangsu Kim (Cambridge Journal of Economics v. 36; 2012) Works by Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations (1776) Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) Lectures on Jurisprudence (1763) Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Be the first to hear new episodes of The Gray Area by following us in your favorite podcast app. Links here: https://www.vox.com/the-gray-area Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In her new book, Freeman's Challenge, the Harvard historian Robin Bernstein reveals the early 19th century origins of America's for profit prisons. Telling the tragic story of William Freeman, an Afro-Native teenager guilty of what she calls the “terrorist” act of killing a white family, Bernstein simultaneously explores the origins of America's first for profit prison in Auburn, NY. As she explains, there was and there still is an intimate connection between American incarceration and American capitalism - a chilling nexus which, for Bernstein, represents the import of slave “economics” into the for profit prison system. Robin Bernstein is the Dillon Professor of American History and professor of African and African American studies and studies of women, gender, and sexuality at Harvard University. She is the author of Racial Innocence: Performing American Childhood from Slavery to Civil Rights.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Omar Ocampo, Researcher at the Institute for Policy Studies, questions whether American capitalism is sustainable, given the huge wealth gap. The 813 billionaires in the U.S. hold more than $5.7 […] The post Is American Capitalism Sustainable? appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Michael Eisenberg is a Co-Founder and General Partner @ Aleph, one of Israel's leading venture firms with a portfolio including the likes of Wix, Lemonade, Empathy, Honeybook and more. Before leading Aleph, Michael was a General Partner @ Benchmark. In Today's Show with Michael Eisenberg We Discuss: 1. The State of AI Investing: Why does Michael believe that "foundation models are the fastest depreciating asset in history"? Are we in an AI bubble today? As an investor, what is the right way to approach this market? Who will be the biggest losers in this AI investing phase? Where will the biggest value accrual be? What lessons does Michael have from the dot com for this? 2. Where Is the Liquidity Coming From? Why does Michael believe that it is BS that private equity will come in and buy a load of software companies and be the primary exit destination? Why does Michael believe that IPO windows are always open? Should founders go out now? What is good enough revenue numbers to go out into the public markets? Why does Michael believe that Lina Kahn is a threat to capitalism? How does Michael predict the next 12-24 months for the M&A market? 3. AI as a Weapon: Who Wins: China or the US: Does Michael agree with the notion that China is 2 years behind the US in AI development? Does Michael agree that AI could be a more dangerous weapon in wars than nuclear weapons? Why does Michael suggest that for all founders in Europe, they should leave? US, China, Israel, Europe, how do they rank for innovating around data regulation for AI? 4. Venture 101: Reserves, Selling Positions and Fund Dying: Why does Michael only want to do reserves into his middle-performing companies? What framework does Michael use to determine whether he should sell a position? Which funds will be the first to die in this next wave of venture? Why does Michael not do sourcing anymore? Where is he weakest in venture? Why does Michael believe that no board meeting needs to be over 45 mins?    

The American Civil War and the end of slavery in the US may seem like one and the same from our modern perspective, but for those living through the conflict, the abolition of human bondage was anything but certain. Even into the last days of the war, slave traders in Confederate-held cities continued to auction off human beings, realizing handsome profits as they imposed violence and family separation on their subjects. In his new book, An Unholy Traffic: Slave Trading in the Civil War South, Robert K.D. Colby brings together a wide variety of sources to offer up a never-before seen look into the slave trade during the American Civil War. In this episode, he joins Ben and guest co-host Tim Talbott to explain how the slave trade evolved, why slave traders remained confident in the future of slavery even during the Civil War, and how the combined trauma of slavery and war impacted enslaved Americans long after their freedom had been secured. Robert K.D. Colby is Assistant Professor of History at Ole Miss who specializes in the Civil War and the history of slavery. His newest book, An Unholy Traffic was published by Oxford University Press in April 2024 and is available in both print and audiobook. Tim Talbott is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust in Fredericksburg, Virginia and founding member and President of the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association. Tim holds a MA in Public History from Appalachian State University, where Ben had the great fortune to study alongside him. Relevant Links: ·      The Smithsonian Digital Volunteers Transcription Center website ·      RTN Episode 270: Women & American Slavery w/ Stephanie E. Jones Rogers ·      RTN Episode 117: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism w/ Edward Baptist   This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

Guest: Nelson Lichtenstein is Research Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His books include State of the Union: A Century of American Labor, and his latest,  A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism coauthored with Judith Stein (1940–2017). The post Bill Clinton & the Transformation of American Capitalism appeared first on KPFA.

Guest: Glory Liu is a lecturer in social studies at Harvard University. She is the author of Adam Smith's America: How a Scottish Philosopher Became an Icon of American Capitalism. The post How Adam Smith Became A Capitalist Icon appeared first on KPFA.

"The only true aging is the erosion of one's ideals," says Ralph Nader, the former third-party presidential candidate who just turned 90 after more than 60 years of consumer advocacy and fighting for small business in America. From influencing the transformative passage of car safety legislation to advancing numerous environmental protection and public accountability causes, Nader has fought against the proliferation and insinuation of corporate power in our government.In between all of that, Nader has also found the time to develop a prolific writing career. In this week's episode, Nader joins Bethany and Luigi to discuss his new book, "Rebellious CEO: 12 Leaders Who Got It Right." The three talk about the possibilities of ethically profitable business, Nader's lifelong pursuit of justice, his views on the state of capitalism today, the political disillusionment of the public, and how we can reclaim democratic control of capitalism.

Check out Enlisted https://enplay.link/whatifalthist Don Shift's books-https://www.amazon.com/stores/Don%20S... Instagram: Rudyard William Lynch (@rudyardwlynch) • Instagram photos ...https://www.instagram.com › rudyardwlynch Twitter:https://twitter.com/whatifalthist?ref... Patreon, First 200 pages of cultural history of America and 400 of history of the new world alongside exclusive maps:https://www.patreon.com › whatifalthist Bibliography: The Great Wave by David Hackett Fischer Ages of Discord by Peter Turchin Secular Cycles by Peter Turchin The End of the World is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan Disunited Nations by Peter Zeihan The Accidental Superpower by Peter Zeihan The Economics of Discontent by Jean Michel Paul On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis The True Believer by Eric Hoffer Atrocities by Matthew White The Ages of American Capitalism by John Levy Strategy by Lawrence Freeman Long Cycles by Goldman Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card Maps of Meaning by Jordan Peterson Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Evil by Baumeister Man and His Symbols by Carl Jung The Happiness Hypothesis by John Haidt The Secret to our Success by Joseph Heinrich

NOTE| This episode is longer than usual→ ‘Top Of The Game (in) Overtime' shows are released occasionally BRAD'S BIO Brad Gerstner is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and hedge fund manager. He is founder, chairman and CEO of Altimeter Capital, a leading technology investment firm he started during the 2008 financial crisis. Brad and his team are known for fundamental analysis and deep expertise in consumer internet, software and artificial intelligence across the capital formation cycle, a style colloquially known as crossover investing.  The efficient and productive use of capital “knows no buckets”, and Brad is at the forefront of these crossover opportunities across the private, quasi-public and public markets. He has been involved in over 100 IPOs and some of his notable investments include Snowflake, Bytedance (TikTok) Zillow, Uber, Meta (Facebook), Plaid, Okta, Gusto and Zillow among many others.  Brad was born and raised in Indiana and his father's failed business taught him many lessons early in life. “In life you are either running towards something or away from something” as he puts it. His investing career started while day trading to pay for law school at Indiana University, followed by being appointed to be Deputy Secretary of State of Indiana, the youngest in history. His true calling was in business and attended Harvard to obtain an MBA. Right after graduation he was a founding principal of General Catalyst and worked / co-founded / sold several travel and consumer internet related startups, followed by serving as a portfolio manager at PAR Capital and eventually launching Altimeter.  In 2016, Altimeter was the largest shareholder of United and helped usher changes at the company, including its board. In 2022, Gerstner wrote a now seminal open letter to Mark Zuckerberg stating Meta was losing focus, had too many employees and was losing investor confidence recommending that the company cut expenses by 20%, focus on AI and limit Metaverse spending to $5 billion a year.  A few weeks later, Meta effected many of his recommendations and the company's stock has increased ~4X since.  He has been a regular guest on the All In Podcast and has a podcast (BG2) with co-host and former Benchmark GP Bill Gurley. Brad recently unveiled  Invest America, a plan  to create a broad and passive basket of stocks representing the American economy for every child in America rooted in the power of capitalism, compound interest and returns. Brad is at the top of his game and his influence is hard to overstate, underpinned by his intellect, vision, capital allocation savvy, curiosity and belief in opportunity for all – no matter where one starts.  I've known Brad for 25 years, is a great friend and every time we speak I learn a few things, including this episode - enjoy this remarkable human being. BRAD RELATED LINKS Brad's Twitter  CNBC Report  Meta Board & Mark Zuckerberg  Time to Get Fit Letter On CNBC Squawk Box discussing Invest America On Delivering Alpha re: AI BG2's First Episode on YouTube + Twitter Profile on Forbes (Midas List 2022) GENERAL INFO| TOP OF THE GAME: Official website: https://topofthegame-thepod.com/ RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/topofthegame-thepod/feed.xml Hosting service show website: https://topofthegame-thepod.podbean.com/ Javier's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/javiersaade & Bio: https://tinyurl.com/36ufz6cs  SUPPORT & CONNECT: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/96934564 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551086203755 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOPOFGAMEpod Subscribe on Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/vLKLE1SKjf6G Email us: info@topofthegame-thepod.com   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING – AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS  

In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Nelson Lichtenstein about the failures of the Clinton presidency. They discuss his collaboration with Judith Stein for the book, why Clinton focused on economic issues, Al From, Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), and the impact of Ross Perot on the 1992 Presidential election. They talk about important figures in Clinton's economic team, failures of healthcare, economic negotiations with Japan and NAFTA. They also talk about the 1994 Crime Bill, repealing Glass-Steagall, legacy of the Clinton presidency, and many more topics. Nelson Lichtenstein is Research Professor in the Department of History at University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he directs the Center for the Study of Work, Labor, and Democracy. He has his Bachelors from Dartmouth College and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He has held fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Rockefeller and Guggenheim Foundations, the University of California, and from the Fulbright Commission and the Oregon Center for the Humanities. He has also been elected to the Society of American Historians and received the Sidney Hillman Foundation's Sol Stetin Award for lifetime achievement in labor history. He is the author of numerous books including his most recent book (co-authored with Judith Stein), A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism. Twitter: @nelsonlichtens1 Get full access to Converging Dialogues at convergingdialogues.substack.com/subscribe

Amazon is about to host Black Friday NFL football on Prime — This is the Holy Grail of American Capitalism.The most controversial dish at your Thanksgiving table? It's cranberries, specifically canned cranberries — So we have to tell you about Ocean Spray's wild (and surprisingly legal) cranberry monopoly.And the latest twist in the OpenAI drama? The coup has turned into a mutiny — 97% of OpenAI employees have threatened to quit, which reveals the real winner (Microsoft).$MSFT $AMZN $WMTSubscribe to our newsletter: tboypod.com/newsletterWant merch, a shoutout, or got TheBestFactYet? Go to: www.tboypod.comFollow The Best One Yet on Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok: @tboypodAnd now watch us on YoutubeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Americans as a population have an usually large appetite for psychoactive drugs, whether legal or illegal. And American history has been marked by periodic moral panics over drug use and normalization or legalization, as we're experiencing right now. What is it about US society that makes drug use simultaneously so appealing and reviled? Writer and scholar Benjamin Fong weighs in. The post Fund Drive Special: Drugs and American Capitalism appeared first on KPFA.

Greg Olear talks with historian and research professor Nelson Lichtenstein, author of “A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism,” about the “fabulous decade” of the 1990s, neoliberalism, Robert Rubin, Clinton-era deregulation, NAFTA, healthcare, and the current rise of the labor movement. Plus: a prince sings.Follow Nelson:https://twitter.com/NelsonLichtens1Buy the book:https://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Failure-Presidency-Transformation-Capitalism/dp/0691245509Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50prevail and use code 50prevail for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months!Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell us more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short. *

Guest: Nelson Lichtenstein is Research Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His books include State of the Union: A Century of American Labor, and his latest,  A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism with Judith Stein (1940–2017) who was Distinguished Professor of History at City College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. The post The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism appeared first on KPFA.

In this episode I do a lil Q&A from your submissions. I answer questions about time management, my feelings on American Capitalism, tips for your wedding and how to navigate adult friendship slash make new friends as an adult. Enjoy!Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anders talks to Labor Historian Nelson Lichtenstein about his new book, "A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism." Book info: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691245508/a-fabulous-failure Live Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/minion-death-cult-live-w-the-antifada-pod-damn-america-tickets-691958234707

Slavery was an integral part of the American republic from the moment of independence until the abolition of the so-called “peculiar institution” with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865. The social and economic impact of the slave system, however, are much larger in terms of both time and geography. In this episode, Bob and Ben speak with Edward Baptist about slavery's origins, its evolution, and how enslaved people's work laid the foundation for modern capitalism. He also shares stories of the people who suffered under- and those who profited from- the inhumane system of American slavery. Dr. Edward E. Baptist is Professor of History at Cornell University and author of The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism (Basic Books, 2014), which won the 2015 Avery O. Craven Prize from the Organization of American Historians and the 2015 Sidney Hillman Prize. This is an enhanced rebroadcast of RTN #117, which originally aired on January 14, 2019. This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

On this episode of "The Federalist Radio Hour," Oren Cass, executive director of American Compass, joins Federalist Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to discuss how to reconcile the rise in populist, working-class conservatism and the goals of profit-driven companies and explain why conservatives are best equipped to usher in a new era of capitalism.You can find the "Rebuilding American Capitalism Provides the Agenda for Conservative Economics" handbook here.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5457726/advertisement

Las Vegas has pulled off an epic pivot: From sin city to family fiestas. First Republic Bank's stock has plummeted 99%, and all the options to handle the crisis are bad. And Wendy's is bringing its chili to aisle 6 because grocery stores have become the Garden of Eden of American Capitalism. $FRB $LVS $WEN Want merch, a shoutout, or got TheBestFactYet? Go to: www.tboypod.com Follow The Best One Yet on Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok: @tboypod And now watch us on Youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emma hosts writer Malcolm Harris to discuss his recent book Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World. First, Emma runs through updates on the EPA-enforced Norfolk Southern clean-up in East Palestine, updates on various special elections, Biden's inhumane plans for Title 42's expiration, and Seattle City Council's outlawing of caste discrimination, before parses through DeSantis' crime tour and why we need to aggressively combat these culture war issues. Malcolm Harris then dives right into the story of Palo Alto as a paragon for American Capitalism, from the gold rush through the Silicon Valley revolution, beginning with an era of grassroots vigilantism legitimized by the federal government allowing the US to slowly seize California from Native groups and Spanish colonies. Walking through the goldrush and the following era, Harris discusses early Palo Alto through analogs of overseas colonies – detached from the rest of the US until the construction of the transcontinental railroad, yet a hotbed of exploitation, immigration, and globalization – before looking at how this era defined the disruptive and destructive nature of American settler-colonialism and its capitalist emphases. Next, Malcolm and Emma explore the story of Leland Stanford and his university as a further stage in the development of the disruptive and hyper-capitalist ideology of Palo Alto, before taking on the shift in technological innovation in the 20th century as the region turned towards the radio age, and began to cultivate the private-government relationship that grew in tandem with the Military Industrial Complex. After working through the post-Cold War developments, as Palo Alto saw a mass influx in Military tech funding, juxtaposed with a simultaneous militant movement exemplified by the Black Panthers, Malcolm and Emma wrap up the interview by taking on the modern history of Big Tech and the clear parallels between its neoliberal and libertarian reactionary ideology and that created the system that helps it thrive. And in the Fun Half: Emma parses through the absurdity of Ben Shapiro's arguments on the wage-to-cost-of-living gap, Stephanie from Alabama comments on yesterday's interview on cops and courts, and Mike in Denver discusses the “Chritonesque” nature of Big Tech. Emma also dives into the genocidal transphobic rhetoric of Matt Walsh, Steven from Baltimore talks gender fluidity and Judith Butler, and Marjorie Taylor Greene expands on her calls for Civil War. Polling proves Donald Trump to be miles ahead of his Republican competition, and Mike from Buffalo takes on the stochastic terrorism of Matt Walsh and the like, plus, your calls and IMs! Check out Malcolm's book here: https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/malcolm-harris/palo-alto/9780316592031/ Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app Check out today's sponsors: Aura: Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/majority to try 14 days free and let Aura go to work protecting your private information online Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattBinder @MattLech @BF1nn @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Subscribe to Discourse Blog, a newsletter and website for progressive essays and related fun partly run by AM Quickie writer Jack Crosbie. https://discourseblog.com/ Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/

Monopoly is one of the best-selling board games in history. The game's staying power may in part be because of strong American lore — the idea that anyone, with just a little bit of cash, can rise from rags to riches. Mary Pilon, author of The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game.But there's another origin story – a very different one that promotes a very different image of capitalism. (And with two sets of starkly different rules.) That story shows how a critique of capitalism grew from a seed of an idea in a rebellious young woman's mind into a game legendary for its celebration of wealth at all costs. This episode was made in collaboration with NPR's Throughline. For more about the origin story of Monopoly, listen to their original episode Do Not Pass Go. This episode was produced by Emma Peaslee, mastered by Natasha Branch, and edited by Jess Jiang. The Throughline episode was produced by Rund Abdelfatah, Ramtin Arablouei, Lawrence Wu, Laine Kaplan-Levenson, Julie Caine, Victor Yvellez, Anya Steinberg, Yolanda Sangweni, Casey Miner, Cristina Kim, Devin Katayama, and Amiri Tulloch. It was fact-checked by Kevin Volkl and mixed by Josh Newell.Subscribe to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

Sean Illing talks with Glory Liu, the author of Adam Smith's America: How a Scottish Philosopher became an Icon of American Capitalism. Smith is most well-known for being the “father of capitalism,” but as Liu points out in her book, his legacy has been misappropriated — especially in America. They discuss his original intentions and what we can take away from his work today. Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area Guest: Glory Liu (@miss_glory), author; lecturer, Harvard University References:  Adam Smith's America: How a Scottish Philosopher became an Icon of American Capitalism by Glory Liu (Princeton; 2022) Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life by Nicholas Phillipson (Yale; 2012) Free to Choose: A Personal Statement by Milton & Rose Friedman (Harcourt; 1980) “Adam Smith's ‘History of Astronomy' and view of science” by Kwangsu Kim (Cambridge Journal of Economics v. 36; 2012) Works by Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations (1776) Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) Lectures on Jurisprudence (1763)   Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area. Subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts This episode was made by:  Producer: Erikk Geannikis Editor: Amy Drozdowska Engineer: Patrick Boyd Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Capitalism, it turns out, is more than just the exchange of goods in a market economy,” Katharina Pistor writes. “It is a market economy in which some assets are placed on legal steroids.”Pistor is a professor of comparative law at Columbia Law School, the director of the Center on Global Legal Transformation at Columbia University and the author of “The Code of Capital: How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality.” In the book, Pistor argues that economic value isn't just captured by markets; it is created by the legal system. An asset like a piece of land or a machine has some intrinsic value. But it is only when you graft legal attributes onto those assets — backed by the coercive power of the state — that they are transformed into wealth-generating capital.Pistor's theory has sweeping implications for some of the most fundamental economic questions of our time: How is wealth actually created? Why does our current economic system produce such huge inequalities? What causes financial crises? In Pistor's telling, you can't begin to answer such questions without understanding the legal foundation that our economy is built on.This is a conversation that delves into the deepest layer of our economic system — one that shapes all of our lives even as it remains largely invisible. We discuss the four legal attributes that transform an ordinary asset into a wealth-generating device, how the law creates corporations and financial instruments out of thin air, the “feudal calculus” that underpins our modern economy, why focusing solely on wealth redistribution will never be sufficient to solve economic inequality, how private lawyers — operating outside democratic institutions — end up shaping the rules of our economic system, the “law and finance paradox” that explains why financial crises happen, how legal manipulation has eroded the “social contract” of capitalism, whether the law can work as a tool to help fight climate change and more.Mentioned:“A Legal Theory of Finance” by Katharina PistorBook Recommendations:Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas PikettyCrashed by Adam ToozeAges of American Capitalism by Jonathan LevyThis episode is guest-hosted by Rogé Karma, the senior editor for “The Ezra Klein Show.” Rogé has been with the show since July 2019, when it was based at Vox. He works closely with Ezra on everything related to the show, from editing to interview prep to guest selection. At Vox, he also wrote and conducted interviews on topics ranging from policing and racial justice to democracy reform and the coronavirus.Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.“The Ezra Klein Show” is produced by Emefa Agawu, Annie Galvin, Jeff Geld, Kristin Lin and Rogé Karma. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris and Mary Marge Locker. Original music by Isaac Jones. Mixing by Jeff Geld and Sonia Herrero. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.