Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Ben Bayer and Nikos Sotirakopoulos critique a recent Wall Street Journal article that tries to explain Zohran Mamdani’s rise and the persistence of socialism in American politics.
Among the topics covered:
● 0:00 - Introduction;
● 4:09 - Why socialism is not an innate impulse
● 7:34 - Why socialism is not simply the product of ignorance of history;
● 18:11 - Why naïve idealism does not explain socialism’s popularity;
● 30:59 - Why impatience with real problems does not explain socialism’s popularity
● 39:48 - Why “woke” ideology is only a superficial explanation for socialism’s popularity
● 47:27 - How to fight socialism.
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged [amazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191145], her article “Faith and Force: The Destroyers of the Modern World,” [courses.aynrand.org/works/faith-and-force-the-destroyers-of-the-modern-world/] the Ayn Rand Lexicon entry on Socialism [aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/socialism.html], and Bayer’s articles “The Dishonesty of ‘Real Socialism Has Never Been Tried’” [newideal.aynrand.org/the-dishonesty-of-real-socialism-has-never-been-tried/] and “The Old Morality of the New Religions.” [newideal.aynrand.org/the-old-morality-of-the-new-religions/]
The podcast was recorded on August 25, 2025 and posted on August 28, 2025. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
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Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Ben Bayer and Nikos Sotirakopoulos critique a recent Wall Street Journal article that tries to explain Zohran Mamdani’s rise and the persistence of socialism in American politics.
Among the topics covered:
● 0:00 - Introduction;
● 4:09 - Why socialism is not an innate impulse
● 7:34 - Why socialism is not simply the product of ignorance of history;
● 18:11 - Why naïve idealism does not explain socialism’s popularity;
● 30:59 - Why impatience with real problems does not explain socialism’s popularity
● 39:48 - Why “woke” ideology is only a superficial explanation for socialism’s popularity
● 47:27 - How to fight socialism.
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged [amazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191145], her article “Faith and Force: The Destroyers of the Modern World,” [courses.aynrand.org/works/faith-and-force-the-destroyers-of-the-modern-world/] the Ayn Rand Lexicon entry on Socialism [aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/socialism.html], and Bayer’s articles “The Dishonesty of ‘Real Socialism Has Never Been Tried’” [newideal.aynrand.org/the-dishonesty-of-real-socialism-has-never-been-tried/] and “The Old Morality of the New Religions.” [newideal.aynrand.org/the-old-morality-of-the-new-religions/]
The podcast was recorded on August 25, 2025 and posted on August 28, 2025. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
