
Phil Magness
Occupant of the David Theroux Chair at the Independent Institute. Historian and economist specializing in economic history, particularly tariffs and classical liberal thought.
Top 10 podcasts with Phil Magness
Ranked by the Snipd community

47 snips
May 28, 2025 • 1h 19min
Missing the Marx
Phil Magness, a historian and economist at the Independent Institute, dives into the corrupting effects of tariffs on the economy and critiques the rising influence of Karl Marx posthumously. He discusses how Marx's obscurity during his lifetime contrasts sharply with his later prominence, influenced by the Soviet Union. The conversation also touches on classical liberal principles and how historical narratives can be distorted by political agendas, especially regarding issues like the 1619 Project and the complexities of American political history.

24 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 41min
Raging Against Modernity
Phil Magness, an economic historian and political scientist, discusses the rise of post-liberal thought and its critique of liberal modernity. He highlights key thinkers, the movement’s appeal to aesthetic and moral grievances, debates over executive power and emergency rules, and how these ideas are reshaping conservative politics and policy debates.

20 snips
Apr 6, 2025 • 54min
Everything You Need To Know About Tariffs
Phil Magness, an economic historian from right-wing think tanks, joins to unravel the complex history of tariffs in American politics. They explore the fierce Hamilton-Jefferson debates and how tariffs served as both economic tools and political weapons throughout history. The discussion highlights the Smoot-Hawley Act's impact on the Great Depression and the ideological divides within the Republican Party regarding trade. They also navigate the current challenges in U.S.-China trade relations and the potential repercussions of future tariffs.

16 snips
Apr 2, 2025 • 12min
Challenge Your Narrative & Confront Uncomfortable History
Phil Magness, a senior fellow at the Independent Institute and author of "The 1619 Project Myth," dives deep into the manipulation of history by both the Left and Right. He discusses how political ideologies distort facts to support their narratives, emphasizing the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths. Magness critiques nostalgic views of the 1950s, examines conflicting narratives surrounding slavery and the 2020 election, and warns against the dangers of using history as a weapon in political discourse.

11 snips
Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 9min
Phil Magness: The Problem With Trumponomics
Phil Magness, an economic historian at the Independent Institute, delves into the complexities of Trump’s tariffs and trade policies. He discusses the historical impact of tariffs as both revenue sources and political tools, highlighting lessons from the Smoot-Hawley Tariff. Magness critiques the nostalgia for past economic strategies and explores the implications of proposed initiatives like the Mar-a-Lago Accord. He emphasizes the unpredictability of Trump's economic agenda, especially regarding onshoring production and public sentiment surrounding tariffs.

11 snips
Dec 10, 2024 • 54min
Everything You Need To Know About Tariffs
Phil Magness, an economic historian known for his expertise in American economic history, joins the discussion about tariffs in U.S. politics. They dive into how tariffs have evolved from Hamilton and Jefferson's contentious debates to modern implications, particularly during Trump's administration. The conversation reveals how tariffs can act as both economic strategies and political weapons, examining their historical significance and the potential consequences for future trade relations, especially with China.

May 12, 2025 • 32min
Will 2025 Repeat the Great Depression? 'Perfect Storm' For Economic Fallout | Phil Magness
Phil Magness, Senior Research Fellow at the Independent Institute, dives into the potential economic fallout from Trump's tariff policies. He highlights alarming historical parallels that could lead to another Great Depression. Magness discusses the constitutional debates surrounding tariffs, the risks of a multipolar world, and how current economic conditions threaten American households. Additionally, he examines the Federal Reserve's struggles with inflation and market reactions to trade policies, warning of the lasting impact on the U.S.'s global standing.

Feb 7, 2025 • 45min
President Trump and Title IX
Phillip Magness, a tax historian, joins the discussion to delve into the historical significance of tariffs in U.S. revenue generation, particularly before the federal income tax was introduced. The conversation touches on Trump's recent executive order about Title IX and transgender athletes, emphasizing its political implications. They also explore the complexities of school choice initiatives and the evolving landscape of education reform. Intriguingly, they contemplate the possibility of revitalizing tariffs as a major funding source for the federal government.

Apr 10, 2024 • 9min
Inflated Revenue Claims in Pursuit of a Wealth Tax
Economic historian Phil Magness critiques proposals to tax unrealized income, debunking revenue predictions. Topics include billionaire tax, challenges of taxing unrealized gains, implications of wealth tax, inflated net worth claims, and wealth inequality narratives.

Oct 26, 2023 • 38min
DECOLONIZATION: From Theory to Practice | Phil Magness & Kate Wand
Economic historian Phil Magness joins Kate Wand to discuss the proliferation of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in academia and the mainstream, its connection to the far-left's response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the dangers of embracing divisive rhetoric, the infiltration of CRT in education, the academic meaning of decolonization, the dangers of social justice, and the reaction from the far left and academic institutions, including silver linings and increased scrutiny of donations.


