Capital Ideas 45: Benjamin Franklin - Founding Father and Capital Markets Architect episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 24, 2026 · 52 MIN

Capital Ideas 45: Benjamin Franklin - Founding Father and Capital Markets Architect

from Capital Ideas · host ICAN

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, renowned economist Mark Skousen joins the show to discuss his famous ancestor’s impact on our country, Benjamin Franklin. More than an inventor and statesman, he was an architect of American capital markets. In this episode, Skousen discusses how Franklin aggressively defended commercial society and built the financial building blocks that transformed a young colony into an economic superpower. From creating leaf-patterned anti-counterfeiting protocols for paper currency, and pioneering modern portfolio theory, to helping create America’s earliest property insurance company, Skousen breaks down Benjamin Franklin’s enduring legacy . Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN Law) is the only nonprofit public-interest litigation firm in the country focused exclusively on reigning in SEC overreach and expanding fair access to capital markets. Be part of a movement to protect innovation and opportunity in American markets while preserving essential investor protections—join our email list today: https://www.icanlaw.org/newsletter-signup

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, renowned economist Mark Skousen joins the show to discuss his famous ancestor’s impact on our country, Benjamin Franklin. More than an inventor and statesman, he was an architect of American capital markets. In this episode, Skousen discusses how Franklin aggressively defended commercial society and built the financial building blocks that transformed a young colony into an economic superpower. From creating leaf-patterned anti-counterfeiting protocols for paper currency, and pioneering modern portfolio theory, to helping create America’s earliest property insurance company, Skousen breaks down Benjamin Franklin’s enduring legacy . Investor Choice Advocates Network (ICAN Law) is the only nonprofit public-interest litigation firm in the country focused exclusively on reigning in SEC overreach and expanding fair access to capital markets. Be part of a movement to protect innovation and opportunity in American markets while preserving essential investor protections—join our email list today: https://www.icanlaw.org/newsletter-signup

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Capital Ideas 45: Benjamin Franklin - Founding Father and Capital Markets Architect

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This episode was published on June 24, 2026.

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As America approaches its 250th anniversary, renowned economist Mark Skousen joins the show to discuss his famous ancestor’s impact on our country, Benjamin Franklin. More than an inventor and statesman, he was an architect of American capital...

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