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July 23, 2025 33 mins

Discussing Frederic Bastiat – with Nikolai Wenzel


In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by economist and classical liberal scholar Nikolai Wenzel for an in-depth discussion on the ideas and enduring legacy of Frédéric Bastiat.


What makes Bastiat one of the clearest and most compelling defenders of liberty? Why is "The Law" still so relevant today? And how did Bastiat expose the fallacies behind government intervention with such clarity and wit?


Nikolai Wenzel, Professor of Economics and Director of the MA in Economics at the virtual Universidad de las Hespérides, and Senior Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, offers a fresh perspective on Bastiat’s moral and economic insights—from the seen and the unseen, to the role of law in protecting individual rights.


Whether you're new to Bastiat or a longtime admirer, this conversation offers both clarity and inspiration for defenders of reason and freedom.



About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational Egoist

Michael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.


His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.


He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:


Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crime

https://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit-Hole-Corrections-Encourages/dp/197448064X


View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Liberty

https://books2read.com/u/4jN6xj


About Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational Egoist

Xenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, overseeing the publishing and promotion of each episode to reflect a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual integrity.


As a CEO, property manager, entrepreneur, and lifelong advocate for capitalism and individual rights, Xenia ensures the podcast stays true to its core values of reason, freedom, and personal responsibility.


Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, where passionate thinkers gather to discuss Ayn Rand’s ideas and their application to life, politics, and culture.


Join us at: https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-rand-meetup/

(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)

Because freedom is worth thinking about—and talking about.


Follow Life on Purpose – Xenia's thought-provoking essays at her Substack:

https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?utm_source=user-menu


#FrédéricBastiat #NikolaiWenzel #TheLaw #ClassicalLiberalism #AynRand #RationalEgoist #Liberty #IndividualRights #Economics #AIER #Reason #Freedom #Objectivism #Podcast


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