Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society

On the occasion of the publication of a new edition of his book Intellectuals and Society, Thomas Sowell returns to Uncommon Knowledge for a wide-ranging interview. (52:37)

“It gives them a much bigger role in the world. I mean if you believe in free markets, what about all these people who want to have social justice. People just go out there; they make whatever deals they can with each other, work things out and then go on their way. Here is all this unused brilliance standing on the sideline watching with impotent rage.”

Recorded on Thursday, March 15, 2012

Cast

Thomas Sowell

Thomas Sowell

Related

Articles

Political Economy In Financial Regulation

Interest-paying electronic money, completely safe without deposit insurance, would be a great thing. For example, Silicon Valley Bank would never have had huge uninsured deposits that ran if there had been an easy safe place for large depositors to put their money.

September 22, 2026

Videos

How Should The Fed Respond To Supply Shocks?

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee sits down with Steve for a conversation about how central banks should respond to supply shocks. Steve also asks Austan for the inside story on what happens at FOMC meetings.

September 23, 2026

Articles

Which Is Worse: McGovern’s $1,000 Or Trump’s $5,000?

Many people have appropriately criticized President Trump’s promise to give $5,000 to every American adult if the voters elect enough Senators and House members to keep Republican control of each chamber.

September 18, 2026