RealClear Radio Hour: American Colossus and Private Alternatives
Industrial development and private initiative are fundamental to our contemporary way of life, but what do they mean in the larger context of history? This week on RealClear Radio Hour, I sit down with two brilliant historians to discuss how industry and private markets helped develop American culture and society.
My first guest is John Steele Gordon, historian and author of An Empire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power. John lays out American history through a lens not normally viewed, giving a colorful account of a nation built by smugglers, rebels, and entrepreneurs who went on to become industry giants.
Rounding out the second half of the show is Trinity College professor, Edward Stringham. The author of Private Governance: Creating Order in Economic and Social Life recounts successful stories of voluntary associations and bottom-up order throughout history. He hits examples from the first stock market in Amsterdam in the 1600s to the still extant private police force that emerged during the gold rush in San Francisco.
You can hear from both of our amazing guests this week by listening to the full show as-aired on iTunes, or you can check out the individual podcasts hosted on YouTube and SoundCloud. Make sure to check back next week for another episode of RealClear Radio Hour.
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John Steele Gordon
https://soundcloud.com/realclearradiohour/american-colossus-podcast-by-john-steele-gordon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFTAFwlb7Xc
Edward Stringham
https://soundcloud.com/realclearradiohour/private-alternatives-podcast-by-edward-stringham