Episode

Billionaires, Workers, and the Exploitation Theory

Podcast
The Human Action Podcast
Published
Jan 18, 2026
Processing state
not_requested
Canonical source
https://mises.org/podcasts/human-action-podcast/billionaires-workers-and-exploitation-theory
Audio
https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.mises.org/2026-01/HAPod-534-20260118.mp3
JSON
/v1/public/podcasts/the-human-action-podcast-1569402/episodes/billionaires-workers-and-the-exploitation-theory
Markdown
/podcast/the-human-action-podcast-1569402/billionaires-workers-and-the-exploitation-theory.md

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Summary

Bob revisits Böhm-Bawerk’s critique of the exploitation theory of interest to answer modern claims that billionaires like Elon Musk must have “stolen” their wealth from workers who supposedly create 100 percent of a firm’s value. Related: Böhm-Bawerk’s Critique of the Exploitation Theory of Interest: Mises.org/HAP534a Böhm-Bawerk’s Karl Marx and the Close of His System: Mises.org/HAP534b Politicians don’t build prosperity. Entrepreneurs do. Join Keith Smith, Caitlin Long, Ryan McMaken, Per Bylund, and Timothy Terrell for our first event of 2026: Mises.org/HAHC The Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree