The World in Time / Lapham’s Quarterly Episode 87: Peter S. Goodman
Apr 1, 2022
In this engaging conversation, Peter S. Goodman, Global Economic Correspondent for The New York Times and author of 'Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World,' dives deep into the ramifications of billionaire domination in our economy. He critiques the 'cosmic lie' surrounding trickle-down economics and examines its roots in the Reagan era. The podcast also tackles the detrimental impact of profit motives on American healthcare and advocates for systemic changes to combat economic inequities and promote fair growth.
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Davos Man's Global Impact
- "Davos Man" represents ultra-wealthy billionaires who see themselves as the solution to global problems, not the cause.
- Their influence corrodes democracy and deepens inequality, fueling social unrest and political backlash worldwide.
Neoliberalism's 'Cosmic Lie'
- The neoliberal economic ideology heralded by Reagan and Thatcher cast government as the problem, not the solution.
- This ideology enabled billionaires to dismantle public services, funnel wealth upward, and block democratic reforms.
Billionaires Shape Discourse
- The billionaires shape public political discourse through their lobbying, media influence, and staged philanthropy.
- This creates a false narrative that justifies extreme inequality and the dismantling of government support systems.
