Defending Economic Liberty with Iain Murray | Let People Prosper 164

​What keeps the socialist temptation alive—and why does it resonate with younger Americans?

On this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I interview Iain Murray, Vice President for Strategy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Iain is one of the sharpest voices in the movement for economic liberty, directing CEI’s Center for Economic Freedom and shaping the debate on labor, trade, energy, and beyond.

We discuss his journey from the UK to the US, his time as a civil servant under heavy bureaucracy, and his work at CEI to expose the hidden costs of “regulatory dark matter.” We also dive into his book The Socialist Temptation, unpacking why socialism still attracts voters—and how free markets can win the argument with better storytelling. Along the way, we tackle Brexit, trade, environmental stewardship, and the battle of values driving today’s political realignment.

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(0:00) – Introduction to Economic Liberty
(3:05) – Iain’s Personal Journey from the UK to the US
(5:55) – CEI and the Fight for Freedom
(8:58) – The Hidden Cost of Regulatory Dark Matter
(11:47) – Why Socialism Persists
(14:50) – The Clash of Values in Politics
(17:54) – Freedom, Religion, and Liberty
(20:53) – Brexit and Its Lessons
(24:02) – Trade, Adaptation, and Economic Change
(26:58) – Protectionism vs. Economic Freedom
(30:05) – Environmental Stewardship Through Capitalism
(33:09) – Final Reflections and Call to Action