Naomi Oreskes

The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market

We often hear that government is inefficient, a burden, while the free market is the ultimate engine of prosperity. But what if this widely accepted truth isn't just an observation, but a carefully constructed narrative? This episode delves into Naomi Oreskes' 'The Big Myth,' exploring how a powerful, decades-long campaign by certain business factions and their allies successfully instilled a deep-seated distrust of government and an almost religious faith in the 'free market.' We examine how this 'Gospel of the Free Market' is a cultivated ideology, not an objective truth, and the deliberate engineering by business interests that created this pervasive distrust. We also uncover the unseen costs of this myth, from underinvestment in public goods and increased inequality to a diminished capacity to address collective challenges. This isn't about choosing sides, but about critically assessing the narratives that shape our understanding of society and economics, and reclaiming our ability to build a future where both public and private spheres contribute effectively.