#1. Is greed a good thing?
Famed economist Milton Friedman makes an amazing argument about the concept of capitalism, greed and society. “Of course none of us are greedy, it’s only the other guy that’s greedy.”
#2. Why do we fight?
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This incredible film gives a background on the history of corruption and the military industrial complex. This movie starring John McCain shows the normally hawkish senator calling for investigations into how war profiteers have bilked the taxpayers and lined their pockets at our expense.
#3. Should we be proud of our accomplishments, or humble?
Ayn Rand’s incredible, wide-ranging interview with Phil Donahue features a discussion of how people should be proud of their own accomplishments. Rand criticizes the idea that we should be humble about our great deeds, and suggests we should delight and revel in achievement.
#4. Economics in one rap song.
This incredibly funny and catchy rap song details the battle of ideas between those who believe in a centralized economic system (John Maynard Keynes) and those who believe in an automatic, self organizing system of freedom (Hayek).
#5. Keynes v. Hayek Round 2
Econstories’ follow up to the original rap video is even better than the original, and does a better job of explaining the difference between the major economic schools that are prominently debated today.
#6. The Commanding Heights – Battle for the World Economy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ms2WOZi74
Who should control the economy, and therefore our lives? This excellent PBS documentary discusses the power of capitalism and globalization, and how free trade contributes to the destruction of poverty.
#7. We’re the Government… And You’re Not!
This hilarious tongue in cheek portrayal of how the US government screws its citizens won five awards for short films. What does it mean to be a good citizen? This short film will make you laugh and cry.
#8. The Soviet Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVZjyyAE-78
A horrifying film about the dangers of Communism and socialized government. The greatest murders in history were all socialists and communist. But since Soviet Russia was an ally of the United States in WW2, their murders have not been as widely publicized. This incredible documentary will open your eyes as to the dangers of big government.
#9. Why inflation is bad… Ducktales style!
This fun, short video from the popular animated series Ducktales does an excellent job of explaining why inflationary policies are bad for the economy.
#10. Make Mine Freedom!
Another fun, animated short explains how socialism, communism, and big government make promises of utopia, but they can’t deliver.
#11. BUSTED: The Citizens Guide To Surviving Police Encounters
One of the best videos ever made. The ACLU shows you, the average citizen, how to deal with police encounters.
#12. I, Pencil
This excellent short film explains how the capitalist economy creates the wonders of production. By showing the process for the creation of a simple pencil is a more complex task than could ever be accomplished by one person.