

How Lobbying Led to Crony Capitalism, with Brody Mullins
48 snips Oct 24, 2024
Brody Mullins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-author of "The Wolves of K Street," explores the intricate world of lobbying as it intertwines with American politics. He discusses how lobbyists, rather than political parties, often determine election outcomes, shedding light on corporate influence across administrations. Mullins delves into the evolution of lobbying since the 1970s, revealing its impact on society, and highlights the growing skepticism toward big business. The conversation raises crucial questions about the future of capitalism in an evolving political landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Lobbying Evolution
- Businesses initially focused on defensively combating regulations.
- They later realized they could proactively shape regulations to harm competitors.
The Tamiflu Stockpile
- Evan Morris, a Genentech lobbyist, stoked fears about the avian flu.
- This led to a $2 billion government stockpile of Tamiflu, benefiting Roche.
Academia's Role in Lobbying
- Google-funded academic Joshua Wright advocated for less antitrust enforcement.
- He used his academic credentials while being paid by tech companies.