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In this episode of American Socrates, we take a deep dive into life before capitalism, exploring feudalism, debt, and the shift to modern wage labor. From the predictable obligations of medieval serfs to the precarious freedom of today’s workers, we examine how stability and autonomy have been historically valued — and often set in conflict. Drawing on David Graeber’s insights on debt and Ellen Meiksins Wood’s analysis of enclosure, we unpack how capitalism’s “freedom” can disguise insecurity, and why understanding this history matters for building fairer, more balanced systems today. Listeners will walk away questioning modern work, rethinking freedom, and imagining alternatives that combine security and agency.

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Is capitalism really the key to human freedom—or just a clever illusion? In this episode of American Socrates, we challenge the myth that capitalism guarantees liberty. From sweatshops to Silicon Valley, we explore how freedom is distributed unequally in a class-based society. Drawing on global case studies and political theory, we ask: who really benefits from capitalist freedom—and who pays the price? We also unpack the myth that criticizing capitalism means endorsing tyranny, and offer a hopeful vision of real freedom: democratic, dignified, and shared.

Keywords: capitalism and freedom, does capitalism promote liberty, capitalist myth, economic freedom vs political freedom, freedom in capitalism, Thomas Sowell, real democracy, American Socrates podcast, critique of capitalism

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Is success really earned? In this episode of American Socrates, we unpack the seductive myth of meritocracy. With the help of philosopher Iris Marion Young, we explore why "merit" is often unknowable, socially biased, and used to justify inequality. Along the way, we contrast views from John Rawls and Michael Sandel, explain how meritocracy harms working people, and offer a radical alternative: a society based on dignity, not ranking. If you've ever wondered whether hard work really pays—or why failure feels like shame—this episode will change how you see fairness and justice in everyday life.

Keywords: meritocracy, Iris Marion Young, justice and fairness, Rawls, Sandel, inequality, political philosophy, working-class ethics, American Socrates podcast

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In this episode of American Socrates, we dive deep into the world of consumer culture through the lens of Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer’s concept of the culture industry. Why do so many movies, songs, and stories feel predictable and recycled? How does capitalism shape not just what art gets made, but how we think, feel, and imagine? Using examples from Hollywood blockbusters to AI-generated music, we explore how art becomes commodified and what we lose when creativity is reduced to a product designed to sell. Tune in for a thoughtful critique of modern consumerism—and a heartfelt call to support authentic, daring, and meaningful art as a form of cultural resistance.

Keywords: culture industry, consumerism, Adorno, Horkheimer, capitalism and art, commodification of culture, Hollywood movies, AI music, cultural resistance, American Socrates podcast

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Gross Domestic Product tracks how much stuff we produce—but does it tell us how well we’re doing? In this episode of American Socrates, we question the dominance of GDP as our society’s main scoreboard. Through a powerful personal story and a clear-eyed breakdown of alternative metrics—from the Human Development Index to Gross National Happiness—we expose how GDP hides inequality, erases care work, and confuses growth with well-being. What if success meant more than just making more? Discover why it's time to rethink what we measure—and what matters.

Keywords: GDP, economic growth, well-being, Human Development Index, Gross National Happiness, inequality, care work, economics and ethics, American Socrates podcast

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Why did economics stop asking moral questions? In this episode of American Socrates, we uncover the forgotten roots of political economy—where ethics, power, and justice were central to understanding wealth. Learn how modern economics lost its soul, why GDP isn’t enough, and what thinkers like Amartya Sen and Friedrich Hayek can teach us about freedom, inequality, and the future of economic thinking.

Keywords: political economy, moral economics, Amartya Sen, Friedrich Hayek, GDP, justice, economic history, philosophy of economics, capitalism critique, American Socrates podcast

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Socialism without bureaucracy. Freedom without capitalism. This episode introduces libertarian socialism—a decentralized, bottom-up alternative to both capitalist exploitation and state control. Learn how it differs from state socialism, what it looks like in practice, and why it offers a third path beyond chaos or authoritarianism. If you’ve ever wanted freedom and justice, this is your roadmap.

Keywords: libertarian socialism explained, anarchism vs socialism, state socialism vs libertarian socialism, bottom-up economics, decentralized socialism, worker co-ops, anti-authoritarian socialism, economic freedom

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Private property is often used to justify capitalism—but what if capitalism is actually its enemy? We trace the philosophical history of property from Erasmus and Locke to Marx and Proudhon, then offer a radical reinterpretation: that property is justified not by labor alone, but in concert with exclusive use. This episode presents a libertarian socialist argument that defends personal ownership while condemning capitalist accumulation.

Keywords: private property vs capitalism, John Locke property theory, libertarian socialism, Marx on property, anti-capitalist property rights, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Jeremy Waldron, personal ownership explained

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We’ve all heard the argument: tax the rich so we can afford healthcare, schools, or clean energy. But what if that’s the wrong logic entirely? In this episode, we challenge the myth that taxes are needed to “pay for” public spending—and reveal the deeper purpose of taxation in a modern economy. Drawing on insights from Modern Monetary Theory and the work of Stephanie Kelton, we show how taxes can control inflation, shape social behavior, and most importantly—redistribute power. Because in a democracy, taxation isn’t just about money. It’s about who rules.

Keywords: tax the rich explained, why we tax the wealthy, taxes don’t fund spending, MMT taxation, Stephanie Kelton tax myth, economic power, taxing billionaires, redistribution of power, modern money theory

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In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the bold idea of a federally-backed Job Guarantee—the promise of dignified, meaningful work for anyone who wants it. We trace the roots of the proposal, from the New Deal to modern economic debates, and ask: could a Job Guarantee end involuntary unemployment once and for all? Along the way, we unpack how it differs from welfare or “make-work,” and what it could mean for working-class communities. At the heart of it lies a deeper question: should access to a decent job be treated as a basic human right?

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