Wealth and Poverty by George Gilder (.ePUB)
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Wealth and Poverty: A New Edition for the Twenty-First Century by George Gilder, Steve Forbes (Foreword)
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Overview: Wealth and Poverty is George Gilder’s foundational defense of capitalism and free enterprise, written in response to the economic stagnation and welfare state expansion of the 1970s. First published in 1981, it became a cornerstone of Reagan-era economic policy, arguing that wealth is not merely a matter of capital or redistribution, but of creativity, moral behavior, and faith in the individual.
Gilder contends that entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and giving—not government planning—are the true engines of prosperity.
Core Argument
At the heart of the book is Gilder’s conviction that capitalism succeeds not because it rewards greed, but because it demands altruism. Entrepreneurs must serve the needs of others to survive. By contrast, welfare systems sever that feedback loop and foster dependency. Poverty, he argues, is not simply material—it stems from spiritual and cultural collapse, often worsened by well-intentioned but harmful policies.
Key Themes
• Capitalism as a moral system, not just an economic one
• The entrepreneur as society’s key figure, not the bureaucrat or planner
• Welfare policies that perpetuate poverty and erode responsibility
• The importance of faith, family, and work ethic to national prosperity
• How supply-side economics revives incentive and innovation
Historical Significance
Wealth and Poverty had immense influence on the Reagan Revolution, becoming one of the most cited texts of that era. It helped popularize supply-side economics, along with works by Milton Friedman and Arthur Laffer. The 2012 revised edition updates Gilder’s arguments to apply to Obamanomics, regulation, and modern monetary debates.
Narration Notes
Depending on edition, narration is typically clear and professional, but an ideal voice would match Gilder’s prose: intellectually assertive, poetic in rhythm, and rich in conviction.
Who Should Listen
• Advocates of free markets, supply-side economics, or conservative fiscal policy
• Fans of Hayek, Sowell, or Friedman
• Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policy thinkers
• Listeners curious about the moral vision behind capitalism
• Anyone seeking an economic rebuttal to socialism and state planning
In Summary
Wealth and Poverty is a passionate, intellectually bold celebration of the free economy, rooted in both economic insight and moral philosophy. For Gilder, wealth creation is not a zero-sum game—it is an act of giving, risk, and service. Whether you agree with his ideology or not, this audiobook remains one of the most influential conservative treatises of the 20th century—and essential listening for understanding the intersection of economics, ethics, and human nature.
Genre: Non-Fiction > General
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