Zero Sum: How Putin Turned Capitalism into Russian Roulette

When the Soviet Union collapsed, it wasn't the end of history—it was the beginning of capitalism's most seductive experiment. Russia became a Wild East where Big Macs symbolized freedom and suitcases of cash ruled reality. Western corporations flooded Moscow with intoxicating chaos, chasing astronomical returns that seemed too good to be true. They were! Charles Hecker, talks to me about his provocative book "Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia." He explains how corporate greed and willful blindness transformed this capitalist Camelot into Putin's authoritarian trap—a cautionary tale of moral compromise that still tempts businesses today. Get full access to Talk Cocktail Podcast at jeffschechtman.substack.com/subscribe