Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Tristan de Liège examine recent socialist electoral victories, and analyze critical reactions that fail to identify the philosophical essence of the movement.
• [0:00] Introduction
• [4:55] Allegations of “extremism”
• [11:51] What the “extremism” charge hides
• [22:00] Are socialists “democratic”?
• [32:58] Socialism and communism
• [40:34] Socialist and MAGA populism
• [45:48] Religious communism, godless capitalism
Resources:
• Ayn Rand “Extremism’: or the Art of Smearing,” in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal [amazon.com/Capitalism-Ideal-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451147952]
• Entry on “socialism” in the Ayn Rand Lexicon [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/socialism/]
• Ben Bayer, “Meet the New Socialism, Same as the Old,” New Ideal, Sept 2, 2019 [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/meet-the-new-socialism-same-as-the]
• Ben Bayer, “ICE Tyranny Is What Democracy Looks Like,” New Ideal, Feb 25, 2026 [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/ice-tyranny-is-what-democracy-looks?utm_source=publication-search]
• “Why Socialists Fear the Republican Party Platform,” ARI Podcast, Jul 25, 2024 [youtube.com/watch?v=YHXGamIEZ6g]
• “Trump's Anti-Capitalist Control Over Businesses,” ARI Podcast, Sept 18, 2025 [youtube.com/watch?v=0D1039_JOBk]
This episode was recorded on July 23, 2026.
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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******
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 Tristan de Liège examine recent socialist electoral victories, and analyze critical reactions that fail to identify the philosophical essence of the movement.
• [0:00] Introduction
• [4:55] Allegations of “extremism”
• [11:51] What the “extremism” charge hides
• [22:00] Are socialists “democratic”?
• [32:58] Socialism and communism
• [40:34] Socialist and MAGA populism
• [45:48] Religious communism, godless capitalism
Resources:
• Ayn Rand “Extremism’: or the Art of Smearing,” in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal [amazon.com/Capitalism-Ideal-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451147952]
• Entry on “socialism” in the Ayn Rand Lexicon [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/socialism/]
• Ben Bayer, “Meet the New Socialism, Same as the Old,” New Ideal, Sept 2, 2019 [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/meet-the-new-socialism-same-as-the]
• Ben Bayer, “ICE Tyranny Is What Democracy Looks Like,” New Ideal, Feb 25, 2026 [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/ice-tyranny-is-what-democracy-looks?utm_source=publication-search]
• “Why Socialists Fear the Republican Party Platform,” ARI Podcast, Jul 25, 2024 [youtube.com/watch?v=YHXGamIEZ6g]
• “Trump's Anti-Capitalist Control Over Businesses,” ARI Podcast, Sept 18, 2025 [youtube.com/watch?v=0D1039_JOBk]
This episode was recorded on July 23, 2026.
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
