Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of The ARI Bookshelf, Tristan de Liège, Ben Bayer, Don Watkins, and Robertas Bakula discuss What Went Wrong with Capitalism by Ruchir Sharma.
The book examines the history of government bailouts, Federal Reserve policy, and the growing reach of the regulatory state. Contrary to popular belief, Sharma argues, government intervention in America didn’t shrink after Reagan — it kept growing. He also offers proposals for reversing these trends.
The discussion covered:
● 0:00 - Introduction
● 3:35 - How Sharma refutes the myth that America has moved towards free markets in the last fifty years;
● 12:36 - How the government and the Federal Reserve created distortions and downturns;
● 32:34 - How the regulatory state expanded and decreased productivity;
● 45:47 - Why the book’s treatment of inequality is self-defeating;
● 56:32 - How the book’s views on capital misallocation and antitrust are contradictory;
● 1:09:37 - How the book lacks sufficient philosophical perspective.
The video was recorded on July 11, 2025 and posted on August 8, 2025.
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– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
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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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******
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In this episode of The ARI Bookshelf, Tristan de Liège, Ben Bayer, Don Watkins, and Robertas Bakula discuss What Went Wrong with Capitalism by Ruchir Sharma.
The book examines the history of government bailouts, Federal Reserve policy, and the growing reach of the regulatory state. Contrary to popular belief, Sharma argues, government intervention in America didn’t shrink after Reagan — it kept growing. He also offers proposals for reversing these trends.
The discussion covered:
● 0:00 - Introduction
● 3:35 - How Sharma refutes the myth that America has moved towards free markets in the last fifty years;
● 12:36 - How the government and the Federal Reserve created distortions and downturns;
● 32:34 - How the regulatory state expanded and decreased productivity;
● 45:47 - Why the book’s treatment of inequality is self-defeating;
● 56:32 - How the book’s views on capital misallocation and antitrust are contradictory;
● 1:09:37 - How the book lacks sufficient philosophical perspective.
The video was recorded on July 11, 2025 and posted on August 8, 2025.
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
