Free Markets Are a Myth: Dr. Allan Lichtman Explains "Conservative at the Core"

Dr. Allan Lichtman, Distinguished Professor of History at American University, offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of conservative thought in the United States in his compelling book, Conservative at the Core: A New History of American Conservatism, sharing his rich ideas, experiences, and insights. Applying philosopher Dr. Imre Lakatos’s framework, Prof. Lichtman argues that conservative rhetoric, like "free enterprise" and "states' rights", is merely a disposable "outer belt" hiding a true "core": protecting private enterprise through tariffs and crony capitalism, alongside selective culture-war politics. Lichtman places modern conservatism's roots in post-WWI anti-pluralist reactions rather than the mid-20th century. He identifies Donald Trump as the culmination of this legacy rather than an aberration. The discussion also highlights the historic realignment of Southern conservative Democrats to the GOP, the pattern of conservative presidents driving up federal deficits, and the impact of unprecedented disinformation on election forecasting. Ultimately, Lichtman views conservatism's central crisis as a reliance on chronic dishonesty. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. Disclaimer: 1. The background music incorporated in this video is the intellectual property of its respective developer and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Notwithstanding that it is a free-to-use version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy, and Deepak Bhatt do not own, and expressly do not claim, any rights, title, or interest in or to this music. 2. Dr. Allan Lichtman shared key insights from his book, “Conservative at the Core: A New History of American Conservatism”, in an engaging episode of the Business Talk podcast. The uploaded video contains copyrighted content, so changing any graphics, music, or on-screen appearance of the author or host is not allowed.