Populist narratives are gaining traction across the political spectrum, claiming that free markets have failed the American middle class. Critics argue that trade, immigration, and technological change have hollowed out manufacturing jobs and created an economy that no longer works for most Americans.

In Crushing Capitalism: How Populist Policies Are Threatening the American Dream, economist Norbert J. Michel challenges this bleak interpretation. Drawing on historical data and contemporary analysis, Michel argues that the American Dream is not dead—but that it is being threatened by a growing push toward industrial policy, economic restrictions, and government intervention.

Americans today enjoy unprecedented levels of prosperity, upward mobility, and opportunity. Rather than retreat from free-market principles, Michel makes the case for preserving the institutions and economic freedoms that have long fueled American success.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with the author, and the Washington Post’s Megan McArdle, as we explore the myths shaping today’s economic debates, the real story behind the rise of American prosperity, and the risks of moving away from market-driven solutions.