Podcast Summary:

Victor Davis Hanson: Why Aren't Young Christians ‘Default’ Free-Market Supporters Anymore?
Guest: Mark Tooley, President of the Institute on Religion and Democracy
Host: Jack Fowler (for Victor Davis Hanson)
Podcast: Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words (The Daily Signal)
Date: February 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores the shifting attitudes toward free-market capitalism among young Christians and conservatives, focusing on how and why these changes are taking place within religious and educational institutions. Mark Tooley, a longtime advocate for democracy and economic liberty, outlines the historical and contemporary challenges posed by leftist economic thought within Christianity and explains both the roots of skepticism about capitalism among younger believers and the efforts being made to reassert the moral and spiritual foundations of free markets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mark Tooley’s Background and the IRD’s Mission

• [02:35] Mark Tooley introduces himself as a lifelong Northern Virginian who became a “church activist” after being troubled by his denomination's leftward tendencies post-Georgetown.
• [03:10] The IRD (Institute on Religion and Democracy) was founded in the early 1980s to defend democracy and religious freedom against "Godless communism," focusing on democracy as a system rooted in principles, not just structure.

Defining Free Markets in the American Tradition

• [05:06]
  • The protection of private property and free markets is "essential to sustaining democracy, liberty, limited government, rule of law."
  • Without free markets, "the state is no longer a limited state, but one that is potentially tyrannical."
• Memorable Quote:

  “No free markets, no liberty, no free markets, no prosperity, no economic growth.”
  — Mark Tooley [06:07]

Christianity’s Complicated Relationship with Capitalism

• [08:02]
  • The 1980s: Mainline Protestant missions often supported Marxist regimes (e.g., Sandinistas in Nicaragua).
  • The IRD was created to counteract liberation theology—then prevalent across both Catholic and Protestant spheres.
• [10:59]
  • Notable founders include Michael Novak, Richard John Neuhaus, George Weigel, and Carl Henry.
  • The IRD affirms that, while the Church should not be a political instrument, when it does speak politically, it should favor liberty, democracy, and human rights grounded in Christian teachings.
• [12:25]
  • There is a current lack of high-profile Catholic free-market thinkers with direct influence on the Church (compared to Michael Novak's influence on Pope John Paul II).
  • Tooley suggests Protestant circles might be even more deficient now in free-market advocacy than Catholic ones.

Failures in Education and the Erosion of Free-Market Knowledge

• [14:55]
  • Educational neglect: "A growing superficial popularity for socialism among the young...they have a romantic fantasy view of what socialism is."
  • Even religious and conservative youth are often suspicious of capitalism, seeing it as "materialistic, secular, utilitarian."
• Notable Anecdote:
  • Tooley conducted a book study on Michael Novak’s The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism with conservative Christian interns; “they were not persuaded,” with even the most likely supporters only 60% in agreement, and “one student was actually visibly upset by some of its assertions.” [15:41]

Concrete Steps to Reinvigorate Free-Market Advocacy

• [18:24]
  • IRD hosts monthly "New Wiggery" dinners in D.C. to facilitate conversation about classical liberty among young conservatives.
  • Launching a new program on Christianity and free markets: publishing, hosting events, and creating a D.C. fellowship to champion the spiritual and moral case for economic freedom.
• [19:11]
  • Noted lack of an explicitly Christian, pro-market institutional voice in Washington—a gap IRD is working to fill.

Outcomes and Impact of IRD’s Broader Work

• [21:40]
  • Goal: “A smart and faithful and effective social and political witness by Christianity in America across churches and denominations committed to democracy, human rights, religious freedom for all people committed to liberty.”
  • The religious landscape has shifted: denominations are less important; younger generations get their religious influences online, not from institutions.
• Memorable Quote:

  "How you reach religious people in America is completely different from what you would have done 20, much less 35 years ago. So that's what we're trying to achieve, to make the smart, faithful arguments on behalf of liberty within Christianity's political witness through these new channels of information."
  — Mark Tooley [22:51]

Navigating the “Free Trade vs. Fair Trade” Debate

• [24:00]
  • Tooley recognizes the moral and spiritual concerns of industries harmed by global trade ("if I were a farmer or in an endangered industry"), but asserts that, at a macro level, society benefits when the state avoids micromanaging the economy.
• Reference: Milton Friedman’s argument that foreign government subsidies lowering prices can benefit American consumers.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On economic liberty and American identity:

  “No free markets, no liberty, no free markets, no prosperity, no economic growth.”
  — Mark Tooley [06:07]

• On Christian political witness:

  “The church is not a political instrument, but when it does speak politically, it should have a decided preference for liberty, for democracy, for human rights, for religious freedom based on Christian teachings about human dignity.”
  — Mark Tooley [09:20]

• On changing ways Christians are reached:

  "...if you're under a certain age, under 60, you're not interested in denominations. You're not interested in institutions, even if you're in a denomination, and you're self collating your religious information online. And maybe you have a pastor, but he's not your chief spiritual influence. You've got somebody online who may be your chief influence."
  — Mark Tooley [22:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Mark Tooley’s background and IRD’s foundation | 02:35–05:06 | | Defining the free market and its centrality to America | 05:06–06:12 | | The church, liberation theology, and defending capitalism | 08:02–12:25 | | Education’s failure and conservative youth skepticism of markets | 14:55–16:40 | | IRD’s initiatives for young believers and practical steps | 18:24–20:02 | | The IRD's broader mission and changing religious engagement | 21:40–22:55 | | Free trade vs. fair trade, moral considerations | 24:00–24:45 |

Conclusion

Mark Tooley paints a sobering picture of the decline in default support for free-market principles among young Christians and conservatives, attributing it to both institutional failures and broader cultural changes. Despite inherent challenges, he remains optimistic that targeted efforts—especially in Washington—can restore a robust Christian case for economic liberty. The conversation underscores a critical urgency: the need to reconnect spiritual values and moral reasoning with the free-market tradition in today’s changing religious and political landscape.