Who is Thomas Sowell?
Who is Thomas Sowell?
Thomas Sowell is an American economist, social theorist, and author, born on June 30, 1930. A senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, he is renowned for his incisive writings on economics, society, race, and individual liberty. Raised in poverty in North Carolina and Harlem, Sowell served in the U.S. Marine Corps, educated himself through self-study, and earned degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Chicago. With over 30 books, including Basic Economics and The Vision of the Anointed, he is celebrated as one of the most influential conservative and libertarian thinkers of our time, known for his data-driven arguments and clear, accessible style.
Thomas Sowell’s Main Works
Sowell’s most notable and influential books, frequently referenced for their clarity, rigor, and contributions to economic and social thought:
1. Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy (2000, with subsequent editions)
• A foundational text explaining economic principles like supply and demand, prices, and markets in clear, jargon-free language, aimed at general readers.
2. A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles (1987)
• Explores the fundamental differences between “constrained” and “unconstrained” visions of human nature, shaping political and ideological debates.
3. The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy (1995)
• Critiques the hubris of intellectual elites who advocate policies based on idealism rather than empirical outcomes.
4. Black Rednecks and White Liberals (2005)
• A collection of essays examining cultural and historical factors influencing racial and social dynamics, challenging conventional narratives.
5. Knowledge and Decisions (1980)
• Analyzes how knowledge is distributed in society and the implications for decision-making in markets and government.
6. Wealth, Poverty and Politics: An International Perspective (2015)
• Investigates the causes of economic disparities across groups and nations, emphasizing geography, culture, and historical context.
7. Intellectuals and Society (2009)
• Examines the influence of intellectuals on public policy and their often unintended consequences.
Complete List of Thomas Sowell’s Books
The list is based on available records up to May 2025.
1. Say’s Law: An Historical Analysis (1972)
2. Black Education: Myths and Tragedies (1972)
3. Classical Economics Reconsidered (1974)
4. Race and Economics (1975)
5. Markets and Minorities (1981)
6. Ethnic America: A History (1981)
7. The Economics and Politics of Race: An International Perspective (1983)
8. Civil Rights: Rhetoric or Reality? (1984)
9. Marxism: Philosophy and Economics (1985)
10. Education: Assumptions versus History (1986)
11. A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles (1987)
12. Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays (1987)
13. Judicial Activism Reconsidered (1989)
14. Choosing a College: A Guide for Parents and Students (1989)
15. Preferential Policies: An International Perspective (1990)
16. Inside American Education: The Decline, the Deception, the Dogmas (1993)
17. The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy (1995)
18. Race and Culture: A World View (1994)
19. Migrations and Cultures: A World View (1996)
20. Conquests and Cultures: An International Perspective (1998)
21. The Quest for Cosmic Justice (1999)
22. Basic Economics: A Citizen’s Guide to the Economy (2000, later editions retitled Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy)
23. A Personal Odyssey (2000)
24. The Einstein Syndrome: Bright Children Who Talk Late (2001)
25. Controversial Essays (2002)
26. Applied Economics: Thinking Beyond Stage One (2004)
27. Black Rednecks and White Liberals (2005)
28. Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays (2006)
29. A Man of Letters (2007)
30. Economic Facts and Fallacies (2008)
31. The Housing Boom and Bust (2009)
32. Intellectuals and Society (2009)
33. Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays (2010)
34. The Thomas Sowell Reader (2011)
35. Intellectuals and Race (2013)
36. Wealth, Poverty and Politics: An International Perspective (2015)
37. Discrimination and Disparities (2018)
38. Charter Schools and Their Enemies (2020)
39. Social Justice Fallacies (2023)