Markets and our economy don’t just happen — they’re crafted. While we often hear about the “free market” as a natural force governed by the invisible hand, the reality is far more intentional. In the US, markets are shaped by the decisions of policymakers, business leaders, and advocates. These decisions determine who benefits, who bears the risk, and what goals we prioritize. Understanding markets means understanding the people who design them and the values that guide those choices. It’s not just economics — it’s about power, accountability, and the kind of future and economy we want to build.
In his new book, “Marketcrafters: The 100 Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy,” Chris Hughes, economist, writer, and chair of the Economic Security Project, takes us on a journey through the modern history of American capitalism, telling the captivating stories of the most effective marketcrafters and the ones who bungled the job. He reveals how policymakers across the political spectrum have consistently attempted to organize markets for social and political reasons, like avoiding gasoline shortages, reducing inflation, fostering certain industries, fighting climate change, and supporting financial innovation. Hughes argues that by rediscovering the triumphs and failures of past marketcrafters, we can shape future markets to be more innovative, stable, and inclusive.
This virtual book talk — hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on June 5, 2025 — features Hughes in conversation with moderator Natalie Foster, senior fellow with EOP’s Future of Work Initiative and president and cofounder of the Economic Security Project.
For more information, including a transcript, speaker bios, and additional resources, visit our event page.
For highlights from this discussion, subscribe to EOP’s YouTube channel.
Or subscribe to our podcast to listen on the go.
Join us on Zoom on Thursday, June 26, at 3 p.m. Eastern time, for our next event, “Advising Small Businesses on Job Quality: Lessons from CDFIs.”
