The Truth About ESG, DEI, and Corporate Governance Who really controls corporate America—the shareholders who own companies, or the executives and institutions managing their money? On this episode of The Economist Next Door, AIER's @DrPaulMueller is joined by Alan Mendenhall (@allenmendenhall) of The Heritage Foundation and Steve Soukup (@ThePolForum) of the State Financial Officers Foundation to examine the growing influence of stakeholder capitalism, ESG investing, and political activism in America's financial markets. From BlackRock's enormous influence over corporate decisions to the controversial use of public pension funds, the conversation explores how investment managers can pursue political agendas with money that isn't theirs. The discussion also challenges the promise of ESG investing: Does prioritizing environmental and social goals actually produce better outcomes, or does it undermine profitability, accountability, and shareholder rights? As more financial power becomes concentrated in fewer hands, one question becomes increasingly important: Who gets to decide how your money is used? The Economist Next Door is brought to you by the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), making complex economic ideas accessible. No PhD required.