The non-profit Council on Books in Wartime (from US publishers) during World War II single-handedly made a bunch of books like The Great Gatsby into major American texts by providing specialized paperback copies free to the troops. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 467 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AFD-Ep-467-Links-and-Notes-Council-on-Books-in-Wartime.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Apr 23, 2023 – The Council on Books in Wartime – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 467 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

From 1934 to 1936, the US Senate’s Nye Committee examined the role of the private defense industry (and capitalism more broadly) in fomenting global conflict and dragging the US into WWI. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 466 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AFD-Ep-466-Links-and-Notes-The-Nye-Committee.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Apr 15, 2023 – The Nye Committee – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 466 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

The recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank and federal intervention to protect its previously uninsured accounts has brought renewed focus to Federal Deposit Insurance. Contrary to popular belief, it was not part of the New Deal and was not championed by FDR. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 465 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AFD-Ep-465-Links-and-Notes-Federal-Deposit-Insurance.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Apr 9, 2023 – Federal Deposit Insurance – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 465 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

The failed anthracite coal mine workers strike of 1887-88 in eastern Pennsylvania illustrates some of the fault lines and contradictions within capitalism and highlight some of the ways our 21st century economy is devolving back toward older patterns. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 464 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AFD-Ep-464-Links-and-Notes-Anthracite-Coal-Strike-of-1887-88.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Apr 2, 2023 – The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1887-88 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 464 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

Unlocked from our Patreon: Have you ever wondered what the absolute peak example of neoliberal policy is? Bill and Rachel submit to you that it might be the tradable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in effect since 1986.

Links and notes for ep. 381 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bonus-AFD-Ep-381-Links-and-Notes-The-Low-Income-Housing-Tax-Credits-of-1986.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post [Unlocked] June 8, 2021 – The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit of 1986 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 381 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

Unlocked from our Patreon: Bill and Rachel discuss the Red Ark (or Soviet Ark) deportations of Russian-born American anarchists in 1919. (Don’t miss our two part series from 2019 on American anarchist history!)

Links and notes for ep. 377 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bonus-AFD-Ep-377-Links-and-Notes-The-Red-Ark.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post [Unlocked] May 25, 2021 – The Red Ark – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 377 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

At the start of the 20th century, eccentric inventor and utopian theorist King C. Gillette developed the disposable blade for safety razors, launching one of the most influential, trend-setting American corporations of all time, for good or ill. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 463 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AFD-Ep-463-Links-and-Notes-Gillette.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Mar 12, 2023 – Gillette – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 463 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

150 years ago last week, on March 3rd, 1873, the Comstock Laws on obscenity, including birth control and abortion supplies or information, became part of the US Criminal Code. (Bill and Rachel.)

Links and notes for ep. 462 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AFD-Ep-462-Links-and-Notes-March-1873_-Comstock-Laws.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post March 1873: The Comstock Laws – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 462 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

In 1972, some employees made a leveraged buyout of the Chicago and North Western Railway and re-branded it as “Employee-Owned.” The reality was much more complicated and reveals a lot about railroading and American capitalism generally in the 1970s and 1980s. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 461 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-461-Links-and-Notes-The-Employee-Owned-Chicago-and-North-Western-Railway_-Hype-vs-Reality.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post The “Employee-Owned” Chicago and North Western Railway: Hype vs Reality – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 461 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

A quick look at the evolution of car starter and ignition technology, from hand-crank disasters to viral video car theft trends. (Bill and Rachel.)

Links and notes for ep. 460 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-460-Links-and-Notes-Car-Starters-and-Ignitions.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Feb 20, 2023 – Car Starters and Ignitions – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 460 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.