Chris Voss Podcast – The Hidden History of Neoliberalism: How Reaganism Gutted America and How to Restore Its Greatness by Thom Hartmann

·44 min·4 clips

Thom Hartmann explains how Reagan's mission was to cut the middle class down to size to silence young people, women, and minorities.

Chris Voss introduces Thom Hartmann, a progressive radio host and author, to discuss his new book on neoliberalism. Hartmann defines neoliberalism as a set of political concepts often called Reaganism or trickle-down economics. He states the American middle class peaked just before Reagan took office and has since declined from 65% to 45% of the population, with unionization dropping from one-third to 6% in the private sector. Hartmann explains neoliberalism's core tenets: that the marketplace should rule over government, capital should move freely globally, and labor unions distort the market. He links this to Reagan's policies, including deregulation and attacks on unions. Hartmann delves into history, citing Russell Kirk's 1951 book 'The Conservative Mind', which argued a wealthy middle class would lead to social upheaval, influencing Reagan's goal to shrink it. He describes neoliberalism's test case in Chile under Pinochet, advised by Milton Friedman, which led to economic collapse and state violence. Hartmann notes the ideology was later forced on Russia in the 1990s, leading to oligarchy. He contrasts this with China's decision to adopt Alexander Hamilton's 'American system' of tariffs and industrial policy, which fueled its economic rise. Hartmann discusses current politics, stating Biden challenges neoliberalism but is hampered by Democrats like Manchin and Sinema. He mentions Elizabeth Warren's National Right to Organize Act and Biden's retention of Trump's tariffs as anti-neoliberal steps. The conversation touches on the January 6th insurrection as a 'rehearsal', the threat of fascism from oligarchy, and the 2022 election issues like abortion. Voss praises Hartmann's ability to weave historical threads, and Hartmann promotes his upcoming book on American democracy.

As heard by us

A clear look at Reagan-era money, labor, and the Democratic turn to corporate fundraising.

The episode presents Tom Hartman's argument as a long arc linking a 1978 Supreme Court ruling on corporate money, Reagan's 1980 rise, and the later New Democrats.

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Why you'd press play

A blunt route through Reaganism, union decline, and the Democratic money machine.

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