Dave Troy Presents

Henry Wallace and the World that Wasn't with Benn Steil

Feb 25, 2025

Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses his book about Henry A. Wallace, a presidential candidate whose ties to the KGB predated Trump’s. The conversation dives into Wallace's unique political journey, mystical beliefs, and innovative agricultural policies. Steil explores the impact of Wallace's vision, particularly his famous speech 'The Century of the Common Man,' and his contentious political battles, especially with Harry Truman, revealing shocking parallels to today’s political climate.

01:06:31

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Episode guests

Benn Steil

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Quick takeaways

Henry A. Wallace's political career was marked by a complex blend of agricultural innovation and mystical beliefs, influencing U.S. foreign policy post-World War II.

Wallace's advocacy for an economic democracy reflected a significant ideological shift that challenged the prevailing anti-communist sentiments of his time.

The dramatic events of the 1944 Democratic National Convention underscored the political maneuvering that ultimately led to Wallace's decline and removal from the ticket.

Deep dives

Henry A. Wallace's Vision and Historical Context

Henry A. Wallace, who served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and predicted world agricultural futures, was a complex figure heavily influenced by his early life in Iowa’s agricultural elite. His connections to influential figures and his work with agricultural journalism set the stage for his rise in political prominence. Wallace’s vision was characterized by his advocacy for a unified world centered around the ideals of the common man, contrasting sharply with the prevailing narratives of American exceptionalism. This paradigm was pivotal in shaping not only his political career but also the trajectory of post-World War II U.S. foreign policy.

Intro

3min

Henry Wallace: Visionary or Misunderstood?

17min

The Ambiguity of Economic Democracy

2min

Soviet Economic Influence on American Technocrats

3min

Henry Wallace and the Politics of the Common Man

23min

Wallace vs. Truman: The Battle for the Vice Presidency

18min

Reflections and Future Insights on Democracy

2min

Donald Trump wasn't the first presidential candidate to be groomed by the KGB to advance Russian interests. That dubious honor belongs to Henry A. Wallace, who ran for president in 1948.

Dave interviews Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss his latest book, 'The World That Wasn't, Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century.' The conversation explores Wallace's intriguing political and personal life, his contributions as Agriculture Secretary under FDR, his mystical beliefs, and his controversial political career. The discussion includes the impact of Wallace's policies, his interactions with and influence from historical figures like Nicholas Roerich, and his eventual fall from political grace leading up to the 1944 Democratic Convention. The guest also draws parallels between Wallace's complex legacy and contemporary political narratives, including potential influences on modern American politics.

Links:

https://america2.news/donald-trump-isnt-the-first-presidential-candidate-groomed-by-the-kgb/

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/genuine-case-collusion?ref=america2.news

https://www.cfr.org/expert/benn-steil

https://x.com/bennsteil

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/nyregion/nyc-911-calls-riverside-drive.html

https://www.roerich.org/

Interview begins at 02:47.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:20 Henry Wallace: A Counterfactual History

02:27 Henry Wallace's Early Life and Agricultural Innovations

06:39 Wallace's Mystical Pursuits and Political Controversies