Can We Morally Assess Business?

By Gregory Robson

One hears so much about how businesses are greedy, selfish, wasteful, and evil, with little reference to the nature and value of firms, that one might understandably begin to think that business itself, among human institutions, is especially susceptible to grave immorality.

Not so. Businesses are clearly immoral at times, sometimes grievously so. But they should not be singled out as especially bad or evil.

Capitalism, Corruption, and the Ugly Pig

By Michael Munger

In this thought-provoking book review, Michael Munger explores the inherent tension between capitalism and the democratic push for "equality of outcomes." He dives into how the pursuit of social justice, often framed as equity, can challenge the core principles of a free market.

The Wrong Road to Freedom

By David Henderson

In his new book review, David Henderson  suggests Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz’s new book is very much not a roadmap to freedom. In his review, Henderson explores the potential pitfalls of the push for industrial policy and government intervention in the economy. He argues that this approach threatens innovation, competition, and long-term economic growth. Henderson lays out a compelling case for why policymakers should reconsider taking this risky path.

Beware of Economic Misconceptions

By Arnold Kling

In this new article, Arnold Kling breaks down prevalent economic misconceptions, shedding light on why people often misunderstand key economic concepts like opportunity cost, market dynamics, and the role of incentives. Kling provides insightful analysis to help clear up these misunderstandings and improve economic literacy.

Reclaiming Tribalism

with Michael Morris

Is tribalism destroying democracy? According to cultural psychologist Michael Morris of Columbia University, just the opposite may be the case. As he explains in his new book, Tribal, our tribal instincts can also be the source of our success--in politics, society, business, and even professional sports. Listen as Morris and EconTalk's Russ Roberts discuss real examples of how smart leaders pulled tribal levers to improve performance, solve stubborn problems, and create positive change.

Explore more.

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From the Shelf with curator Arnold Kling

The Social Instinct: How Cooperation Shaped the World

by Nichola Raihani

Join Arnold Kling with special guest Bart Wilson as they discuss Raihani’s book on human evolution, and why cooperation is key to our future survival.

Read Kling’s review.

See previous episodes of From the Shelf.

October 29, 2024 1-2 pm EDT

Pre-registration is required