Mike Williams’ CAPITAL IDEA podcast series explores the economic, historical, empirical, and moral case for laissez faire capitalism. CAPITAL IDEA is an intelligent, sometimes capricious, often irreverent discussion for honest people of all political persuasions who want to better understand the only moral economic system. Let’s face it, our day-to-day activity IS economics—they call it microeconomics but where’s the connection to the broader issues? CAPITAL IDEA is here to help you chew on these ideas including how YOUR economy relates to the bigger picture. Flying solo, Mike Williams integrates his experience both as a capitalist and as a teacher/facilitator of the Defenders of Capitalism Project™. Mike’s frequent guests add insight and perspective as they probe diverse topics—with a common thread: ideas that will broaden your understanding of why defending, sustaining, and advancing capitalism are crucial to the survivability of freedom and human flourishing in America and the world.
Episodes
Friday Sep 16, 2022
Friday Sep 16, 2022
As Mike gets ready to go on a trip to Europe, he discusses with Mitch the faults and tragedy of regulation in the airline transportation industry. Looking at the history of regulation in the airline industry, it's easy to see there's an opportunity for advocacy of freedom and entrepreneurship, and it's what we need now more than ever.
Friday Sep 02, 2022
Friday Sep 02, 2022
A guide to citizenship, just in time for Midterm elections! Mike interviews author Anders Ingemarson on his newly revised book: Think Right or Wrong, Not Left or Right. They cover lots of ground including a framework for how to think about political parties and election issues, the principles involved and application to several specific issues.
Friday Aug 19, 2022
Friday Aug 19, 2022
Capitalism is about individual rights and individuals have a right to their guns but where is the line? Should Defenders of Capitalism defend the 2nd Amendment? Unconditionally? Mike and Mitch discuss the rational role for government in applying the 2nd Amendment to today’s world. Key concepts: property rights, when do “arms” become a threat or violation of other’s rights, the right to defend oneself and property, innocent until proven guilty and due process.
Friday Aug 05, 2022
Friday Aug 05, 2022
Why is unionization and membership on the rise? Are unions anti-capitalist and inherently bad for the economy? Mike and Mitch discuss the history and function of unions along with what that looks like for the future.
Friday Jul 22, 2022
Friday Jul 22, 2022
Mike is joined by Eric Daniels, PhD, professor of history and Assistant Director at the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism. They cover a wide range of topics including the history of capitalism and its being a result of the Enlightenment, education, the roots of progressivism, SCOTUS decisions, and especially the primary mistake made by conservative "defenders" of capitalism: the failure to focus on fundamentals and moral premises.
Friday Jul 08, 2022
Friday Jul 08, 2022
With the recent Supreme Court decision in West Virginia vs EPA, it looks like there is a small crack in the wall of "administrative law" that has been one of the keys to the growth of the Regulatory/Welfare State. Mike and Mitch discuss this decision and the underlying principles at stake including the famous Chevron and Auer deference. This is a small but significant win for Capitalism, since the administrative state has been eroding the rule of law for over a century. The "principle" that compels courts to defer to ABC agency's arbitrary interpretations of ambiguous statutes needs to be questioned and overthrown.
Friday Jun 17, 2022
Friday Jun 17, 2022
Mike talks with Erik Sandstrom, economist, data scientist, and Assistant Director of the Defenders of Capitalism Project. They discuss what inflation is, why it has reached 40-year highs in 2022, who it affects the most, and what the possibilities are for getting it under control.
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Housing is getting more expensive every day, pricing many people out of the market - and government policy is the main culprit. In this episode, Mike and Mitch discuss how laws and regulations needlessly increase the cost of housing, and what a real free market would look like.
Wednesday Apr 13, 2022
Wednesday Apr 13, 2022
Mike interviews Elan Journo, foreign policy expert, author of several books, & Senior Fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute. They discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, why America keeps making FP mistakes, what a principled foreign policy would look like, and appropriate use of military force as well as sanctions, diplomacy, etc.
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Who are the everyday looters in the Capital? The government officials who use insider information to profit for themselves. Mitch and Mike list the reasons why the looters in our capital are severely damaging the system our founders created and hypocritical to capitalists and entrepreneurs, who actually provide more value and opportunity in the economy.