YBS Lectures | The Rise of Authoritarianism in the West

In this talk, Yaron Brook examines the alarming growth of authoritarianism within Western democracies. He discusses how expanding government regulations, heightened surveillance, and centralized control over both economic and social spheres are eroding individual freedoms. Brook traces these developments to deeper philosophical and cultural shifts, notably the rejection of individualism in favor of collectivist ideologies. Highlighting the dire consequences of this trend for liberty and prosperity, he calls for a revival of Enlightenment principles—emphasizing reason, individual rights, and limited government—as the antidote to authoritarianism's rise.This talk was given on December 1, 2024 in Oslo, Norway at the Gamle Raadhus Scene.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/yaron-brook-show--3276901/support.Yaron is the executive chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute and a world class speaker. He is the coauthor of the national best-seller Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government, Equal is Unfair: America's Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality and In Pursuit of Wealth: The Moral Case for Finance. He speaks around the world on a variety of topics including the morality of capitalism, Ayn Rand and her philosophy, finance and economics, and the value of inequality.