Thomas Sowell on School Choice and the Price Our Children Pay for Bad Ideas | Peter Robinson | Thomas Sowell | Hoover Institution

Thomas Sowell on School Choice and the Price Our Children Pay for Bad Ideas | Peter Robinson | Thomas Sowell | Hoover Institution

January 27, 2026 · 1h 12m · Episode 453

About this episode

Thomas Sowell critiques American education and policies affecting it, drawing from his life experiences and research.

Thomas Sowell delivers a sweeping critique of American education, affirmative action, and modern universities, drawing on his own life story—from Harlem classrooms to Ivy League institutions—decades of research, and hard data. Sowell argues that ideology has replaced knowledge and that well-intentioned policies often harm the very people they are meant to help. He explores intersecting issues of race, charter schools, universities, AI, and the future of American institutions—with his usual clarity, candor, and unmistakable intellectual force. Recorded on September 30, 2025. Subscribe to Uncommon Knowledge at hoover.org/uk

People in this episode

Host: Peter Robinson

Guest: Thomas Sowell

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hoover Institution

Places: Harlem, Ivy League

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