IEA Podcast

Why Socialists Once Championed Free Trade | IEA Book Club


Listen Later

The Institute of Economic Affairs hosted a Book Club event featuring author and Lecturer in Imperial History at the University of Exeter, Marc-William Palen, hosted by IEA Managing Editor Dan Freeman, to discuss his book "Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World."

In this fascinating conversation, Palen explores the often-overlooked history of left-wing free traders from the 1840s to the present day, challenging common narratives about the origins of free trade ideology. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the role of figures like Richard Cobden, Karl Marx, and Cordell Hull in shaping left-wing free trade thought. Palen examines how free trade was connected to anti-imperialism, peace movements, and workers' rights in leftist ideology.

The conversation also touches on the evolution of socialist attitudes towards free trade and the impact of the Cold War on political alignments around trade policy. This thought-provoking event offers fresh perspectives on the history of economic thought and international relations. Palen and Freeman explore the complexities of how free trade has been viewed across the political spectrum, providing insights relevant to contemporary debates about globalisation, protectionism, and the future of international trade.

The Institute of Economic Affairs is an educational charity, it does not endorse or give support for any political party in the UK or elsewhere. Our mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.



Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

IEA PodcastBy Institute of Economic Affairs

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

13 ratings


More shows like IEA Podcast

View all
Politics Unpacked by The Times

Politics Unpacked

118 Listeners

Best of the Spectator by The Spectator

Best of the Spectator

184 Listeners

The spiked podcast by The spiked podcast

The spiked podcast

207 Listeners

Coffee House Shots by The Spectator

Coffee House Shots

177 Listeners

Americano by The Spectator

Americano

262 Listeners

The Brendan O'Neill Show by The Brendan O'Neill Show

The Brendan O'Neill Show

359 Listeners

The Edition by The Spectator

The Edition

54 Listeners

Last Orders - a spiked podcast by Last Orders - a spiked podcast

Last Orders - a spiked podcast

55 Listeners

New Culture Forum by New Culture Forum

New Culture Forum

87 Listeners

The Daily T by The Telegraph

The Daily T

100 Listeners

IFS Zooms In: The Economy by Institute for Fiscal Studies

IFS Zooms In: The Economy

4 Listeners

Planet Normal by The Telegraph

Planet Normal

189 Listeners

Chopper's Political Podcast | GB News by GB News

Chopper's Political Podcast | GB News

11 Listeners

Not Another One by Steve Richards, Miranda Green, Tim Montgomerie and Iain Martin

Not Another One

23 Listeners

The Sceptic by The Daily Sceptic

The Sceptic

4 Listeners