Scott interviews former reporter Anne Williamson about the flawed privatization of Russia after the fall of the USSR. While privatization had mixed success across the former Soviet Bloc, Russia ran into problems immediately with a poor definition of property rights. Williamson explains how this was not a mistake but was designed by American economists and businessmen who wanted to hold Russia down while enriching themselves. Williamson connects the dots to show how those policies led, in part, to the rise of Putin and the tension between the West and Russia today. 

Discussed on the show:

“Testimony of Anne Williamson” (ScottHorton.org)

“Russia: Don't Cry for Yukos” (Mises Institute)

Anne Williamson is a former reporter who covered Russia for the Wall Street Journal and New York Times during the 1990s.  

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: The War State and Why The Vietnam War?, by Mike Swanson; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; EasyShip; Free Range Feeder; Thc Hemp Spot; Green Mill Supercritical; Bug-A-Salt and Listen and Think Audio.

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