Episode
Ep.540 Louis XIV Made His Rivals Spend Fortunes Just to Keep Up
- Podcast
- Good Morning, Money!
- Published
- Aug 27, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 79
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Summary
Most businesses try to beat competitors by adding more features or lowering prices. Louis XIV used a different strategy: he changed the environment itself. At Versailles, status depended on proximity to the king, elaborate court rituals, expensive clothing, and constant participation in palace life. Rival nobles were pulled into a system that consumed their attention, money, and independence while strengthening the king’s control. In today’s episode, we break down why the strongest competitiv...