The Relationship Between Freedom and Servitude in Human Society

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There was a point about 10,000 years ago when human evolution reached a practice major. grains can be stored in massive quantities and effectively are the first accumulation of wealth. Hunter gatherers don't accumulate wealth; they're hard to tyrannize. The agriculturalist's life with envy is not that different from Cain's or Abel's but it does have some degree of unanimity.

Journalist and author Sebastian Junger talks about his book, Freedom, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. The book and conversation are based on a 400-mile walk Junger took with buddies along railroad rights-of-way, evading police, railroad security, and other wanderers. Junger discusses the ever-present tension between the human desire to be free and the desire to be interconnected and part of something. Along the way, Junger talks about the joy of walking, the limits of human endurance, war, and why the more powerful, better-equipped military isn't always the winner.