In Capital and Interest, Frédéric Bastiat, a renowned 19th-century French economist and statesman, takes a bold stand against the rise of socialist ideology that emerged after the French Revolution. Through his insightful essays, he addresses fundamental questions that continue to resonate today Who should control the money? How is wealth created, and how should it be shared among society? Bastiat challenges the common notion that capital should be easily accessible without repayment, and that interest is simply usury. He argues that capital arises from savings, which facilitate borrowing and empower individuals to thrive. By emphasizing the law of supply and demand, he illustrates how interest rates decrease as capital becomes more abundant. Bastiat contends that without a leisure class—those with surplus funds to lend—neither the average person nor society can flourish. This expertly translated essay by Horace White of Chicago is presented in manageable segments for an enriching listening experience. - Summary by Michele Fry