Thomas Sowell on the Origins of Economic Disparities

Recorded on April 1, 2019
Is discrimination the reason behind economic inequality in the United States? Thomas Sowell dismisses that question with a newly revised edition of his book Discrimination and Disparities. He sits down with Peter Robinson to discuss the long history of disparities among humans around the world and throughout time. He argues that discrimination has significantly less of a role to play in inequality than contemporary politicians give it credit for, and that something as incontrovertible as birth order of children has a more significant and statistically higher impact on success than discrimination. He discusses why parental attention is the most important aspect of a child’s intellectual development.
Sowell goes on to break down different minority groups around the world who went on to have more economic and political success than their majority counterparts, such as the Indians in East Africa, Jewish people in Eastern Europe, Cubans in the United States, and the Chinese in Malaysia. He argues that there is an underlying assumption that if discrimination was absent equality would prevail, which historically has been proven wrong.
Sowell goes on to discuss changes in crime rates and poverty since the expansion of US welfare programs in the 1960s and how this has had a huge impact on the success of African Americans. He talks about his own experience growing up in New York, how housing projects used to be considered a positive place to live, and his experience as the first member of his family to enter the seventh grade. Robinson asks Sowell his thoughts on the case for reparations currently being made in Congress, and Sowell presents an argument about why a plan for reparations is not only illogical but also impossible to implement, with so many US citizens’ ancestors arriving long after the Civil War. He also explains that slavery was common throughout the known world for thousands of years and that abolition movements didn’t begin anywhere in the world until the late 18th century. He reminds us that the United States was not the only country guilty of participating in slavery and yet is the only country debating reparations.
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[@bug5654]

Thomas Sowell, age 9: Visits a library Thomas Sowell, age 90(ish): Wrote an entire library

[@timwhiting6721]

Hes brilliant !!

[@HaIsKuL]

"If you have a lot of self control, you don't need a lot of government control." - Thomas Sowell

[@bobxfromtexas6276]

Thomas Sowell 's books should be required reading for high school and college students.

[@eval_is_evil]

Maybe not high school (senior year perhaps) but college, definitely,yes!

[@Aaronisification]

Bob X from Texas totally ! His writing is clear and concise and more engaging than all the fiction young people are force fed in public schools. Less fiction and more non fiction like TS would be revolutionary

[@itsnotatoober]

Institutions aren't democracies, they're oligarchies. So that won't happen until pressure comes into play. Our schools are a joke

[@chivomartinez]

Even better, to create the civics and economic study guidelines for all our education system.

[@haybaler97]

I’m glad I turned my TV off. Uncommon Knowledge is pure gold.

[@erikarice6859]

T R I moved out at 18 and never had earth tv or cable. It was a choice and one of the best choices I ever made, looking back 16 years later.

[@harrytd]

Same here in the U.K. TR.

[@mrow7598]

In the 90s you could turn on the TV and learn something. Back when the History, Discovery and TLC actually had programs that would teach you something. Now its just Reality TV.

[@christiananaya6116]

"To me, capitalism is irredeemable." -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) "To me, she is irredeemable." -- Thomas Sowell EPIC mic drop!

[@whoisaiahmoore9100]

My law professor told me to subscribe to the New York Times but having my IQ boosted by listening to this man I have chosen otherwise.

[@erikarice6859]

“You can’t give anyone an education, you can only offer them an education.”

[@densealloy]

18:30 one of the lessons my wife and I told our kids over and over is " Do the right thing because it's the right thing to do. No one will ever know you did it but you. Integrity is more important than credit." And one of proudest moments was when our then 9 yoa went to the washroom in a restaurant and after a short time my wife went to check on her and found her helping an elderly woman wash her hands and get around. Our daughter didn't see her mother and when she came back we asked if she was okay, she replied she was and didn't mention the elderly woman who she assisted. We have two 20 something adults now who are good people and not just nice and to me there is a real difference.

[@Daddy0os]

I love how much fun Sowell has in these interviews. The man is a joy.

[@birgittabirgersdatter8082]

Daddy-O a joy to listen to as well.

[@donaldclifford5763]

I feel like my IQ just went up a few points. Thank you, Peter and Thomas.

[@sobc2737]

IQ doesn't exist.

[@deangailwahl8270]

Don't worry the democrat leaders and voters IQ just went down a few points.

[@Guatzelot]

As a high school dropout whi came from non-reading family I never thought I'd have an intellectual idol. But here he is. A man from a another nation, time-period and race. I truly adore Thomas Sowell.

[@itmademesignup9508]

Mr. Sowell is a national treasure. Easily top three people I would ever want to have dinner/a drink with.

[@yosh6278]

As a millennial I try to listen to T. Sowell as much as a I can. I started checking out his books from the library to understand more. Being black in this country does elicit some feelings, but they're just that feelings. He helps me to see where exactly these problems lie, and I have a clearer vision of what my parents didn't know, what I know and how best to deal with the cultural lag. I don't like the idea of playing "catch up" but at the same time I have to admit the culture causes me to suffer a bit.

[@thetruth7783]

WELCOME BACK Dr. Sowell. America has MISSED you. You are a great patriot. Every American should be required in school to read Thomas Sowells books.

[@JPG.01]

I do not think, that Mr. Sowell would agree to require people to read his books.

[@616Haggard]

It doesn't fit the slavery, reparations, afrocentrism narrative. In short, never gonna happen.

[@apocalypticskepticus3299]

Dr Sowell, Fridman and Hayek saved me from socialism. I am forever grateful!

[@beaunossaman4722]

Sowell is good for the soul.

[@scottaberle8684]

These interviews (almost uncountable now) with Thomas Sowell should be in the Library of Congress, and more importantly should be shown to "OUR CONGRESS"!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU HOOVER INSTITUTION :o) and to you Peter ;o)

[@kevinbatts2804]

A brilliant man. Thank you Thomas Sowell for being the kind of black man I can look up to.

[@blackhicko3769]

Kevin Batts : You and me both Kevin!

[@Gretchaninov]

So few people come close to Sowell in wit, intelligence, knowledge, discipline and calm, clear explanations. I just wish more people were exposed to his ideas...

[@dasmesser1]

I am a simple man: I see Thomas Sowell, I click "Like"

[@scottgebow6539]

I’m a huge fan of Dr. Sowell. May he live to 100 and beyond. God bless this man of great common sense.

[@CrimsonUniverse22]

This dude is almost 90 YEARS OLD and is still amazingly coherent and speaks intelligently. I would say less than 1% of the American population that is over 70 years old can speak as clearly and as well as Sowell.

[@livingtwice]

This man is a national treasure.

[@dralexkay2485]

Professor Sowell changed my life for sure. I am 6 months away from finishing my PhD and plan to tour the U.K. giving talks about the 'moral superiority of personal liberty' to quote Professor Sowell's best friend Walter E. Williams (who I highly recommend to anyone interested in this kind of thing). Thomas Sowell, Milton Friedman, Adam Smith and Walter Williams have all taught me not to depend on Government. Hell sometimes I think Government can't even fix that damn potholes, what makes you think they can cure income disparities? In the words of Milton Friedman, "where on earth do you find these Angels who are going to rearrange society for us?... I don't even trust you to do that!" The message of these great men need to live on. Thank you Professor, you are a once in a lifetime. Furthermore, you seem like a genuine nice guy!

[@pelicanbird901]

“Eternal vigilance is the price for Liberty”. Loved the interview!

[@fullthrottlemaxrpm]

I watch interviews with Sowell over and over again and I catch something new each time

[@craigevan9649]

45 minutes well spent! Thank you Thomas Sowell.

[@mandoarevee7578]

Happy 91st birthday Mr Sowell 🎉🎈🎊🎁

[@Betcsbirds]

One of the greatest men in US history.

[@PinkPanter572]

Thomas Sowell got old but he is still fighting. The man should be cherished.

[@TVPubCrawl]

Imagine for a moment what America would look 20-30 years from now if Universities/Colleges began teaching their students the principles of Thomas Sowell's books/lectures.

[@MP15aug]

you can not give someone an education, you can only offer someone an education. that is truly inspired.

[@thanksfernuthin]

I am still savoring the blessings of living in a world with Thomas Sowell in it.

[@Eukatae]

I was sad when Mr. Robinson appeared to be retiring, I was crushed when Mr. Sowell announced his retirement. I thought we would never see either of them again; especially not together. I have read and seen thousands of hours of Sowell yet I still manage to learn and enjoy every time. One of the greatest men of our time, perhaps of all time.

[@UNDFTDGordon]

Thomas Sowell's writing has changed my life. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't use the knowledge from his books.

[@wellofbeersheba]

Peter Robinson is a master of the interviewer's craft.

[@cordynasty]

It's kind of sad really. Thomas Sowell had been arguing with socialists for decades, and here he has to see, watching everything around America and going "I told you so. I'm so tired."

[@Ju5tJoshing]

Thomas Sowell is a national treasure.

[@wordsworth41]

Dr. Thomas Sowell and Mr. Peter Robinson - winning combination!

[@thegiftedteacher]

I've noticed that liberals will criticize a lot of people with right leaning economic views. But they never go after this guy.

[@sapatomaluco]

Uncommon Knowledge = The best channel in KZbin. Peter Robinson deserves a bronze chest in a public boulevard.

[@Gefreiter44]

I never miss an opportunity to listen to Dr. Sowell. He is logical and straightforward. I learn something new every time he speaks. This interview was riveting and impossible to ignore.

[@starsine9062]

A high school dropout, with a BA in Economics from Harvard, PhD in Economics from Chicago , before any Kind of affirmative action or removal of Calculus . A truly outstanding and brilliant mind. The positive is, I kind of think Dr Sowell is aware of his intellectual integrity and doesn’t seem to Value the much lauded, but to his mind rather mediocre intellectuals who seem to overlook him. A real polymath. He talks of Pinker, but Pinker should speak of him 👍🏾👨🏾‍💻.

[@ProChessPlayer]

Pure gold. Thomas Sowell needs more exposure!

[@michaeldavis243]

The tale of 2 blackouts shows how special Dr. Sowell! The man who changed my life

[@shyama5612]

if I had the ability to give years from my life to anyone else, top of the list would be Thomas Sowell. One extra year of his life is worth hundreds of simpletons like me. What a gift to the world! It's been sheer privilege listening to his wise words.

[@andrewdurfee3896]

"The first level of defense is morality"- Thomas Sowell . Sounds familiar, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams

[@PAVANZYL]

I watch this again and again, and every time I find something new and significant. What a great mind!

[@pennedarts]

Great to hear Thomas Sowell again. He is never boring. :-)

[@Aaronisification]

required read for all high school students. Cut back on the fiction and bring on the reality! They would love it. TS and associates are pure gold.

[@johanswede8200]

Sweden calling...We badly need facts based people like Thomas Sowell!!! He is my hero...

[@athenassigil5820]

A living breathing genius and his age hasn't slowed his intellect one bit. Complete admiration and a joy to hear him in this period of time. Soldier on, our professor of liberty.

[@harryradley]

This channel is criminally under-subscribed. People chop these interviews into clips and get 10 times the views 😑

[@tonycatman]

I love watching Sowell talk. It reminds me that I'm not as smart as I think I am, and that I don't have anywhere near the personal integrity I'd like to have. I always come away determined to be a better person.

[@VituMV]

I couldn't believe a new Thomas Sowell video was up on the tube. Very grateful for this interview AND a new book, would you believe it?! Cheers from Brazil to the common sense community. God Bless!

[@CMIC]

Mr. Robinson sure knows how to interview this great mind of our time. His questions really help to extract the nuggets of knowledge out of Thomas Sowell's brain. I love watching/listening to these interviews.

[@andrewmcginnis4149]

These are like when your favorite rapper drops an album in the middle of the night without announcement

[@AlwaysHopeful87]

Went to Harbor Freight to buy a tool. None in stock. Asked if I could buy the display model. Was told, "None of our floor stuff works. We do that because of theft. "

[@LexBravary]

A new interview with the legend himself? Good I can add this to the rotation of all his other interviews I frequently rewatch. The replay value on these is so strong.

[@tubularbill]

Whenever I need an IQ boost I listen to Dr Sowell.

[@bethcoddington2150]

AOC "To me Capitalism is irredeemable." Thomas Sowell "To me, she's irredeemable." BRAVO 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

[@timothysnow5]

Thank you for this great conversation

[@thatguygreg]

Another great Uncommon Knowledge episode with Dr Sowell, hardly a surprise! I am so glad I discovered Sowell, a true living legend. The part when he was telling us about how his family were so proud of him for reaching the 7th grade because that was farther than any of them had gone was very touching.

[@Vicflash]

I really enjoy the humbling and convincing crossroads of facts and interpretation that Thomas Sowell provides. We need more exposure to his knowledge and insights. Thank you.

[@scottmcgraw3749]

Always love hearing Thomas Sowell share his ideas. He is truly an American gem and true intellect. I pray he is in good health and remains so for many, many more years. We need men like him more than ever to help us reach Generation Z. God bless!

[@DUNGEONDRAGONZ]

We need more Thomas Sowell's in the world.

[@showmetheevidence777]

How can you not love his straight forward attitude - and the fact that he's so well learned in his area(s) of expertise. Here's a man who's successful because he's great at what he does, but who also spreads KNOWLEDGE! Our politicians should all be ashamed at the utter BS they spew when compare to someone like Sowell.

[@Zerofightervi]

I've just discovered this channel today, what a breath of fresh air.

[@brandoncepeda1211]

Thank you to Peter Robinson and the Hoover institution for providing these interviews with Thomas Sowell. At the time that I am writing this, I will be around 23 years old, and I am glad I learned about this man at a relatively young age. The amount of knowledge Thomas has to share is amazing and life changing. I know Thomas is an old man now, but I hope god blesses him with many more years of life so he can continue spreading the wisdom he carries with him.

[@TomKaren94]

Wow... Black poverty rate 22%. White poverty rate 11%. Poverty rate for black married couples... 7.5%.

[@miriambertram2448]

Did anyone here see the cartoon of Sowell holding up his Basic Economics to AOC and she begins melting!

[@haydenblack9594]

Anyone else here because of the riots?

[@intuneknight9681]

I'm Cuban and that man is telling the truth I love Thomas I think all people should read his books he is an amazing person.

[@bunkerbill]

Just please keep getting him back on. I love this man and hope that he will live for a very long time. We need people like this.

[@rakashaagain]

I'm a simple man. I see sowell I click!

[@liljesseclark043ili]

Sowell is just simply the best kind of person

[@krissykriss328]

IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW SMART YOU ARE, UNLESS YOU STOP AND THINK. THOMAS SOWELL 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@vparetti]

Listening to this great man takes focus. He makes a statement and is done. Short, accurate, and leaving me thinking, "Huh, what? That's it?" Yes! Listen closely Vince you may miss it. This man is a joy and an American treasure. I read his books while listening to the audio version at the same time. Very enlightening!

[@theoc.victor3185]

And I thought Dr. Sowell had gone into his well-earned retirement, last year. To see him here for one more episode makes for an even more pleasant surprise.

[@PhilosoFeed]

The absolute greatest of all time. I love both of these guys so much.

[@MinistryB4Industry]

I have five of this man's books, he's brilliant and a pleasure to listen to

[@juliangreco8201]

Tom Sowell is a gift to this world. Keep it up, Robinson

[@juliekemp419]

Bl...y great! Let's go to Lunch! What fine men. Love Tom. Have just been drenching myself in his and Peter's superb interviews. THANK YOU from this 71 yo Australian.

[@pkyamaha17]

I havnt watched cable tv or had any social media accounts in years, all i need is long form interviews and podcasts on youtube, and uncommon knowledge is the best one and thomas sowell is the best guest. I hope one day i can shake peter robinson's hand and simply say "thank you." I almost forgot, Im Not Norm is the other channel I can't live without.

[@B.P._]

I am trying to avoid being a mouthpiece of a political party and learning to genuinely think for myself. I have to say Thomas Sowell is being a great help.

[@aal2206]

Guy is a national treasure, honestly so much respect for this man.

[@meilyn22]

Ohh mehn! I learned a lot from this. Thank you sir!

[@damiensmith1690]

He looks much more energetic and cheerful than his past few interviews, pleased to see this

[@robcook6120]

His book "Basic Economics" change my life and the way I view the world. Easily one of the most brilliant men alive today.

[@joeymarino7907]

We need this man to teach for 1 hour 5 days a week, @night on prime time. America would be better for it.

[@ferbluesy]

It would be an inmense honour to meet this man. He is a huge source of knowledge.

[@andrewleatham3198]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww yisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. New Thomas Sowell interview. I could watch these two guys talk for hours.

[@imreborbas9029]

Man it's unreal how nice it is to listen to Sowell.

[@adolthitler]

Dear interviewer, bad attitude gets you poverty, good attitude gets you wealth.

[@googletaqiyya184]

The inner calm that comes from hard work to explore righteous truth displayed for all to see. God Emperor Sowell, hero to so many. May his words be immortalized for all of eternity.

[@wewrestlenot]

Listening to Dr Sowell is good for my brain 💕

[@mitchpowell608]

Love this guy...everytime I listen to his lectures I'm hopeful for the future. We have really smart people on this planet, and we really can solve our issues and continue becoming a better society.

[@Kurtlane]

I really like all Tom Sowell videos, but this is the best of all.

[@b.w.8104]

Im not sure what the good doctor's feelings on the matter may be, but he's got my vote to become the first mind downloaded to a super computer so he can live on, and continue to bring magnificent common sense to this world.

[@derekketcher9154]

"She's irredeemable" ...thank you