It's the Brian Larry Show on WNYC.

Good morning, everyone.

Happy day after Christmas.

Happy first day of Kwanza.

First day of Hanukkah.

Happy Boxing Day in Canada.

It's all a big convergence this year, right? For this extended holiday, my producers and I have put together and lightly

polished some recent favorite segments to catch up on. In keeping with the season, we'll hear from

John Marks, a longtime peace builder and social entrepreneur, and old WNYC friend Jim O'Grady,

with his recommendation for finding an inspirational saint and not necessarily a church sanctioned

one. But we'll start with two installments in our centennial series, 100 years of 100 things.

First, 100 years of American things. First, 100 years of American socialism,

followed by 100 years of American capitalism. Hope you enjoy. Socialism first now, with historian

Michael Kazin, Professor of History at Georgetown University, editor emeritus of Dissent Magazine, and the author

of several books, including what it took to win, a history of the Democratic Party, and American

Dreamers, how the left changed a nation. And many of my questions in the conversation we're

about to have will be drawn from an article on Lit Hub by Michael Kaysen called A Brief History of American Socialism.

Professor Kaysen, thanks for coming on with us again. Welcome back to WNYC.

Sure.

Well, I learned from your article, who coined the word socialism back 200 years ago, around 1825. Would you tell our listeners a little of the

story of a man named Robert Owen? It's kind of ironic because Robert Owen, who was born in Wales

and made a lot of money in Scotland as a textile manufacturer, but was very unhappy with

...