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Thomas Sowell

American economist, social theorist, political philosopher and author · United States · On the map · Academics · Born 1930 · age 96

Thomas Sowell is an American economist, economic historian, and social theorist. With widely published commentary and books - and as a guest on TV and radio - he is a well-known voice in the American conservative movement as a prominent black conservative.

Thomas Sowell is read about 1,612 times a day, in 35 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 400 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2021“The average black student at MIT is in the bottom 10% of MIT students in math. But he is in the top 90% of all American students in math.”In their words25 January 2021Thomas Sowell (on affirmative action), Thomas Sowell: Common Sense in a Senseless World (at 27m46s)

2016“Socialism sounds great. It has always sounded great. And it will probably always continue to sound great.”In their words31 May 2016"Socialism for the Uninformed"

“In a country with more than 300 million people, it is remarkable how obsessed the media have become with just one - Donald Trump.”In their words21 January 2016"Conservatives Against Trump" (21 January 2016), National Review

2013“The question is not what anybody deserves. The question is who is to take on the God-like role of deciding what everybody else deserves.”In their wordsp.59, Hoover Press

2012“The fact that so many successful politicians are such shameless liars is not only a reflection on them, it is also a reflection on us.”In their words22 May 2012Big Lies in Politics

2011“Since this is an era when many people are concerned about 'fairness' and 'social justice,' what is your 'fair share' of what someone else has worked for?”In their wordsp.397

2002National Humanities MedalAward1990Francis Boyer AwardAward1930Born30 June 1930

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In their own words 4

,
Thomas Sowell
,
4 statements, newest first

  1. Neither in nature nor among human beings are either equal or randomly distributed outcomes automatic.

    2018 · p. 17., Own words

  2. If there is one thing that is bipartisan in Washington, it is brazen hypocrisy.

    29 March 2016 · "Supreme Hypocrisy", Own words

  3. If the battle for civilization comes down to the wimps versus the barbarians, the barbarians are going to win.

    21 May 2013 · Wimps Versus Barbarians, Own words

Wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0

Awards

National Humanities Medal2002
Francis Boyer Award1990
GetAbstract International Book Award

About this person

He is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and was a recipient of the National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush in 2002.

Country
United States
Category
Academics
Type
Academic
Status
Living
Dates
Born 1930 · age 96

Where to find them

YouTubeIMDbWebsitetsowell.com

Academics from the United States 6

John Rawls62.2 of 100Michael Dean Woodford46.8 of 100James Comey61.1 of 100Samuel P. Huntington60.2 of 100Samuel Alito61.9 of 100Joseph Stiglitz59.5 of 100