Reason's Video Documents Expose the Fallacy of 'Socialists of All Parties'

If images can speak volumes, videos amplify the message even furtherespecially when defending and promoting the ideals of free thought and free markets. This principle drives Reason's annual webathon, a weeklong campaign to encourage readers to support independent libertarian journalism with tax-deductible contributions.

Last year, the webathon raised over $600,000, and Reason Foundation Chairman Gerry Ohrstrom has pledged to match the next $100,000 in donations. Contributions are effectively doubled, meaning $100 becomes $200, $500 becomes $1,000, and $10,000 inspires significant celebration. Support from readers is essential, particularly as political and economic challenges intensify, from growing national debt to government inaction.

In 1944, Nobel laureate Friedrich Hayek dedicated The Road to Serfdom to what he called "the socialists of all parties." Today, we witness a paradoxical political landscape: Republicans approving government stakes in private companies and self-proclaimed Democratic Socialists governing major cities like Seattle and New York.

Reason TV began producing online documentaries in 2007, with its first editor-in-chief leading from 2008 to 2018. Early videos featured figures like Drew Carey and explored topics such as marijuana legalization, organ markets, and virtual worlds like Second Life. Their first long-form series, Reason Saves Cleveland (2011), became a finalist for a National Magazine Award, demonstrating the unique power of video to engage audiences.

Today, Reason distributes a wide range of videos on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, reaching over 1.26 million subscribers and more than 470 million views. Yet, it is their documentaries that stand out, applying rigorous journalistic standards to produce compelling, principled, and practical content.

For instance, Zach Weissmuellers documentary Why Oregon Re-Criminalized Drugs investigates the policy reversal in Portland, a city that had initially decriminalized all drugs. By interviewing residents, policymakers, and affected individuals, the film highlights how mismanagement, rather than ideology, undermined a policy that had thrived elsewhere, such as in Portugal.

Similarly, Justin Zuckermans The Socialist Housing Plan for New York City examines the effects of proposed rent controls under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Through detailed street-level reporting and economic analysis, the film shows how these policies could harm ordinary residents, exemplified by a young couple already struggling under current housing costs.

Another documentary, How Texas Beat California on Housing, contrasts rising rents in San Francisco with falling rents in Austin despite population shifts. By engaging with residents, scholars, and realtors, the film demonstrates that increasing housing supply is the most effective solutiona lesson more easily implemented in Texas than California.

Other projects, such as investigations into free public buses and city-run grocery stores in New York, further emphasize Reasons commitment to evidence-based policy analysis. These documentaries highlight the failures of popular yet ineffective political promises, offering alternatives grounded in sound economics.

In a time of widespread political confusion, Reasons video documentaries provide clear, engaging insights, showing practical ways to improve society while championing liberty and market principles. Support through the webathon ensures these critical stories continue to reach new audiences and inspire informed debate.

Author: Harper Simmons