facebook pixel
New Ideal - Reason | Individualism | Capitalism

The Marxists’ Exploitation Myth

Podcast audio:

In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Ben Bayer and Nikos Sotirakopoulos challenge the exploitation theory of value at the root of many attacks on capitalists by both the political left and right.

Among the topics covered:

  • How the exploitation theory is entrenched in mainstream political thought;
  • How the exploitation theory fails to grasp how the capitalist produces value;
  • How mainstream defenses of capitalists fail to grasp how they produce value;
  • How capitalists benefit all of us immensely by increasing our productivity;
  • Rejecting the Marxist “pyramid of exploitation” for Rand’s “pyramid of ability.”

Mentioned in this podcast is Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged.

The podcast was recorded on February 21, 2025, and released on February 26, 2025. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here.

SUPPORT ARI

If you value the ideas presented here, please become an ARI Member today.

Do you have a comment or question?

Share this article:

Ibis Slade

Ibis Slade is a junior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute and a content creator. He focuses on American intellectual and moral history.

Updates from New Ideal

Book Image  

Ayn Rand Institute App

Explore unique philosophical content that challenges conventional views — in courses you can take on the go.

Available on Google Play and
the App Store.

Welcome to New Ideal!

If you like what you’re reading, be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter! You’ll also receive a FREE copy of our book, Illuminating Ayn Rand.