Thomas Leonard on Race, Eugenics, and Illiberal Reformers

Were the first professional economists racists? Thomas Leonard talks with host Russ Roberts about his book, Illiberal Reformers, a portrait of the progressive movement at the turn of the 20th century. Economists at the time were eager to champion the state's ability to regulate capitalism successfully. Leonard exposes the racist origins and the role eugenics played in professional economics' early days. Woodrow Wilson takes a beating as well.