Selling Free Enterprise Book Summary

In 'Selling Free Enterprise,' Elizabeth A. Fones-Wolf uncovers the compelling narrative behind the promotion of free enterprise in America. Through a detailed exploration of advertising, media, and public relations, she reveals how the concept of free enterprise became ingrained in the American psyche. The book challenges readers to consider the powerful forces that shape economic ideals and societal values. Fones-Wolf's meticulous research highlights the intersection of capitalism and culture, posing critical questions about freedom and market values. This thought-provoking work invites readers to reflect on the implications of selling not just products, but a way of life.

By Elizabeth A. Fones-Wolf

Published: 1994

"In the marketplace of ideas, the truth is often drowned out by the clamor of profit; yet, it is the earnest voices of those who dare to question that light the way toward genuine progress."

Book Review of Selling Free Enterprise

The post-World War II years in the United States were marked by the business community's efforts to discredit New Deal liberalism and undermine the power and legitimacy of organized labor. In Selling Free Enterprise, Elizabeth Fones-Wolf describes how conservative business leaders strove to reorient workers away from their loyalties to organized labor and government, teaching that prosperity could be achieved through reliance on individual initiative, increased productivity, and the protection of personal liberty. Based on research in a wide variety of business and labor sources, this detailed account shows how business permeated every aspect of American life, including factories, schools, churches, and community institutions.

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In the marketplace of ideas, the truth is often drowned out by the clamor of profit; yet, it is the earnest voices of those who dare to question that light the way toward genuine progress.

Selling Free Enterprise

By Elizabeth A. Fones-Wolf