Just Asking Questions

Bob Murphy: Are We Flirting with Fascism?

4 snips
Aug 28, 2025
Guest
Bob Murphy
In this discussion, Bob Murphy, an Austrian school economist and host of The Bob Murphy Show, delves into America's creeping state capitalism after the government took a 10% stake in Intel. He highlights the historical context, linking it to events like bank bailouts and Fannie Mae. Murphy raises concerns over the Federal Reserve's influence and calls for its reevaluation. The conversation also touches on the implications of government interventions in industries like AI and semiconductor, questioning the balance of power between corporate interests and governmental oversight.
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INSIGHT

State-Grabs Aren't Capitalism

  • Government-forced equity stakes after grants are not capitalism but a merger of corporate and state power.
  • Bob Murphy says such actions alarm business leaders and drive investment away from the U.S.
ANECDOTE

Bailouts As Historical Precedent

  • Bob Murphy recounts past bailouts like GM and AIG as precedents for government ownership.
  • He warns that these episodes show U.S. history already contains repeated government takeovers of private firms.
INSIGHT

Equity Doesn't Fix Overpayment

  • Taking equity as 'getting something back' for grants is poor economics and creates perverse incentives.
  • Murphy argues taxpayers are better served by avoiding overpayment rather than buying stakes after the fact.
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