‘The Low Road’ of America’s Free Market Capitalism

From the start, the United States has embraced the free market, founded as economists and philosophers were developing theories about laissez-faire capitalism. Perhaps one the most famous of those thinkers was Adam Smith — considered by some to be the father of modern economics.

Smith coined the phrase, the "invisible hand" — the idea that people acting in their own self-interest will benefit the entire society. It's a belief in the power of the market (with limited to no government intervention) that remains ingrained in American society to this day.

It’s also at the center of a new play "The Low Road" at the Public Theater about a young man who has a run-in with Smith, then proceeds to dedicate his life to fulfilling his self-interests. This week on Money Talking, Charlie Herman speak with the play's author, Bruce Norris, about the themes of the work and why he chose to tell the story of America's founding through the lens of economics.

"The Low Road" is running at the Public Theater through April 8, 2018.

A new play at the Public Theater explores Adam Smith's "invisible hand" and the dark side of laissez-faire capitalism. Trust us, it's a comedy! An interview with the play's author, Bruce Norris.