Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century with Benn Steil | BRI Scholar Talks

In this episode of BRI Scholar Talks, author and economist Benn Steil joins host Tony Williams to examine the life and legacy of Henry Wallace, one of the most enigmatic political figures of the 20th century.

Drawing from his book The World That Wasn’t: Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century, Steil explores Wallace’s evolving views on economics, foreign policy, and the Soviet Union. From his early isolationism and agricultural innovations to his time as FDR’s vice president and his controversial 1948 presidential run, Wallace's career reflected deep contradictions and bold idealism. Steil also discusses Wallace’s role in wartime diplomacy, his clash with Truman, and his complex position within the broader narrative of the American Century.