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American Socrates
Charles M. Rupert
55 episodes
6 days ago
Send us a text In 1970, economist Milton Friedman declared that the only social responsibility of business is to increase profits. Half a century later, his doctrine still shapes our economy, our politics, and our daily lives. But what does “profit first” really mean for workers, communities, and democracy? In this episode of American Socrates, we dig into Friedman’s famous essay and its consequences. We explore how corporations gained legal power as “agents” of shareholders, why critics like...
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Philosophy
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All content for American Socrates is the property of Charles M. Rupert and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Send us a text In 1970, economist Milton Friedman declared that the only social responsibility of business is to increase profits. Half a century later, his doctrine still shapes our economy, our politics, and our daily lives. But what does “profit first” really mean for workers, communities, and democracy? In this episode of American Socrates, we dig into Friedman’s famous essay and its consequences. We explore how corporations gained legal power as “agents” of shareholders, why critics like...
Show more...
Philosophy
Education,
Society & Culture,
Self-Improvement,
Courses
Episodes (20/55)
American Socrates
What is the Social Responsibility of Corporations?
Send us a text In 1970, economist Milton Friedman declared that the only social responsibility of business is to increase profits. Half a century later, his doctrine still shapes our economy, our politics, and our daily lives. But what does “profit first” really mean for workers, communities, and democracy? In this episode of American Socrates, we dig into Friedman’s famous essay and its consequences. We explore how corporations gained legal power as “agents” of shareholders, why critics like...
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6 days ago
27 minutes

American Socrates
Who Invented the Idea of Debt?
Send us a text Debt isn’t just money owed — it’s one of the oldest tools of social control. In this episode of American Socrates, we explore David Graeber’s Debt: The First 5,000 Years and traces the history of debt from ancient Mesopotamia to modern America. We unpack how debt has always carried moral weight, shaping who obeys, who suffers, and who is forgiven. From Biblical jubilees and Roman debt crises to student loans, credit cards, and mortgages today, we reveal how both political parti...
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1 week ago
29 minutes

American Socrates
Why Do Poor People Exist?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the myths about poverty in the United States. Poverty isn’t caused by laziness or bad choices—it’s built into the system. From outdated government definitions of poverty to wage stagnation, skyrocketing housing and healthcare costs, and the decline of unions, we break down the forces that trap millions of Americans in struggle. We expose how both Republicans and Democrats have gutted safety nets, how race and gender inequalities ...
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2 weeks ago
29 minutes

American Socrates
Is Working Hard Really a Virtue?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the true value of work and challenge the myth that effort automatically equals virtue. From the Protestant Work Ethic to modern corporate life, we examine how meaningless labor can drain dignity, isolate workers, and trap us in a cycle of exhaustion. Using stories, metaphors, and real-world examples, we unpack why so many “essential” jobs remain undervalued, and how the system pushes us to work for survival rather than purpose. F...
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3 weeks ago
26 minutes

American Socrates
Is Your Job Bullshit?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we break down David Graeber’s groundbreaking book Bullshit Jobs and explore why so many modern jobs feel pointless, frustrating, or downright meaningless. From flunkies and goons to box-tickers and taskmasters, we explain each type of “bullshit job” in a way U.S. listeners can relate to. We also dive into the structural forces of capitalism that create these roles, showing why efficiency often produces more work that serves appearances rath...
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1 month ago
28 minutes

American Socrates
Careers are Dead. What Comes Next?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we explore why traditional careers are disappearing and what it means for workers today. From generational trades like millers and shoemakers to the mid-20th-century “sweet spot” of lifelong careers, we trace how industrialization and rapid technological change have shortened skill lifespans and made career paths unpredictable. We discuss the rise of skill obsolescence, the challenges for modern education, and the importance of soft skills ...
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1 month ago
23 minutes

American Socrates
Do You Own Your Labor, Or Does Your Boss?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, I take on the question of who really owns our labor and what it means to be free in a system that rents out our lives by the hour. Drawing from Locke, Marx, and the reality of working-class struggle, we unpack alienation, wage slavery, and the dream of reclaiming ownership of ourselves. I don’t want this to be an academic debate, but instead a bold call for working people to question the systems that make them feel hopeless and isolated, to...
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1 month ago
30 minutes

American Socrates
Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Marx?
Send us a text Most of us grow up hearing warnings about Karl Marx — socialism steals, communism destroys freedom, and Marxism equals totalitarianism. But how much of that is true, and how much is fear shaped by caricature? In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the real Marx: his critique of capitalism, his insights on class struggle, and his concept of alienation — all from a working-class perspective. We contrast Marx’s ideas with the historical misinterpretations that fueled the...
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1 month ago
28 minutes

American Socrates
Do We Live with Less Freedom Than Medieval Peasants?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we take a deep dive into life before capitalism, exploring feudalism, debt, and the shift to modern wage labor. From the predictable obligations of medieval serfs to the precarious freedom of today’s workers, we examine how stability and autonomy have been historically valued — and often set in conflict. Drawing on David Graeber’s insights on debt and Ellen Meiksins Wood’s analysis of enclosure, we unpack how capitalism’s “freedom” can disg...
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2 months ago
28 minutes

American Socrates
Why Does Capitalism Fail to Liberate the Working-Class?
Send us a text Is capitalism really the key to human freedom—or just a clever illusion? In this episode of American Socrates, we challenge the myth that capitalism guarantees liberty. From sweatshops to Silicon Valley, we explore how freedom is distributed unequally in a class-based society. Drawing on global case studies and political theory, we ask: who really benefits from capitalist freedom—and who pays the price? We also unpack the myth that criticizing capitalism means endorsing tyranny...
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2 months ago
31 minutes

American Socrates
Who Has Earned a Good Life?
Send us a text Is success really earned? In this episode of American Socrates, we unpack the seductive myth of meritocracy. With the help of philosopher Iris Marion Young, we explore why "merit" is often unknowable, socially biased, and used to justify inequality. Along the way, we contrast views from John Rawls and Michael Sandel, explain how meritocracy harms working people, and offer a radical alternative: a society based on dignity, not ranking. If you've ever wondered whether hard work r...
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2 months ago
29 minutes

American Socrates
Is that All We Are To Them, Consumers?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we dive deep into the world of consumer culture through the lens of Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer’s concept of the culture industry. Why do so many movies, songs, and stories feel predictable and recycled? How does capitalism shape not just what art gets made, but how we think, feel, and imagine? Using examples from Hollywood blockbusters to AI-generated music, we explore how art becomes commodified and what we lose when creativity is r...
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2 months ago
30 minutes

American Socrates
Why Does the GDP Go Up when the World Burns?
Send us a text Gross Domestic Product tracks how much stuff we produce—but does it tell us how well we’re doing? In this episode of American Socrates, we question the dominance of GDP as our society’s main scoreboard. Through a powerful personal story and a clear-eyed breakdown of alternative metrics—from the Human Development Index to Gross National Happiness—we expose how GDP hides inequality, erases care work, and confuses growth with well-being. What if success meant more than just making...
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3 months ago
26 minutes

American Socrates
When Did Economists Stop Caring About Justice?
Send us a text Why did economics stop asking moral questions? In this episode of American Socrates, we uncover the forgotten roots of political economy—where ethics, power, and justice were central to understanding wealth. Learn how modern economics lost its soul, why GDP isn’t enough, and what thinkers like Amartya Sen and Friedrich Hayek can teach us about freedom, inequality, and the future of economic thinking. Keywords: political economy, moral economics, Amartya Sen, Friedrich Hayek, GD...
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3 months ago
26 minutes

American Socrates
What is Libertarian Socialism?
Send us a text Socialism without bureaucracy. Freedom without capitalism. This episode introduces libertarian socialism—a decentralized, bottom-up alternative to both capitalist exploitation and state control. Learn how it differs from state socialism, what it looks like in practice, and why it offers a third path beyond chaos or authoritarianism. If you’ve ever wanted freedom and justice, this is your roadmap. Keywords: libertarian socialism explained, anarchism vs socialism, state socialism...
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3 months ago
29 minutes

American Socrates
How Do We Justify Private Property?
Send us a text Private property is often used to justify capitalism—but what if capitalism is actually its enemy? We trace the philosophical history of property from Erasmus and Locke to Marx and Proudhon, then offer a radical reinterpretation: that property is justified not by labor alone, but in concert with exclusive use. This episode presents a libertarian socialist argument that defends personal ownership while condemning capitalist accumulation. Keywords: private property vs capitalism,...
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3 months ago
31 minutes

American Socrates
What if Taxes are Our Best Defense Against Tyranny?
Send us a text We’ve all heard the argument: tax the rich so we can afford healthcare, schools, or clean energy. But what if that’s the wrong logic entirely? In this episode, we challenge the myth that taxes are needed to “pay for” public spending—and reveal the deeper purpose of taxation in a modern economy. Drawing on insights from Modern Monetary Theory and the work of Stephanie Kelton, we show how taxes can control inflation, shape social behavior, and most importantly—redistribute power....
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3 months ago
27 minutes

American Socrates
What Is a Job Guarantee?
Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the bold idea of a federally-backed Job Guarantee—the promise of dignified, meaningful work for anyone who wants it. We trace the roots of the proposal, from the New Deal to modern economic debates, and ask: could a Job Guarantee end involuntary unemployment once and for all? Along the way, we unpack how it differs from welfare or “make-work,” and what it could mean for working-class communities. At the heart of it lies a deeper ...
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4 months ago
24 minutes

American Socrates
What is the Real Cause of Inflation?
Send us a text Prices are rising—but who’s really to blame? This episode cuts through the noise to expose the real drivers of inflation: corporate greed, supply chain breakdowns, and power—not just “too much money.” We explain why raising interest rates hurts working people most, and how inflation is often used as an excuse to cut public programs. A must-listen for anyone confused or frustrated by today’s economy. Keywords: what causes inflation, inflation explained simply, corporate greedfla...
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4 months ago
24 minutes

American Socrates
Why Can't We Just Print More Money?
Send us a text Is printing money reckless—or revolutionary? In this episode, we break down Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) for everyday people. Learn how banks really create money, why the U.S. government doesn’t need to tax before it spends, and how elites use outdated myths to justify austerity. Featuring insights from economist Stephanie Kelton, we explore how public money could fund universal care, jobs, and justice—without raising taxes on working people. Keywords: modern monetary theory, M...
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4 months ago
30 minutes

American Socrates
Send us a text In 1970, economist Milton Friedman declared that the only social responsibility of business is to increase profits. Half a century later, his doctrine still shapes our economy, our politics, and our daily lives. But what does “profit first” really mean for workers, communities, and democracy? In this episode of American Socrates, we dig into Friedman’s famous essay and its consequences. We explore how corporations gained legal power as “agents” of shareholders, why critics like...