A mock trial was held to determine whether free market capitalism caused the 2008 economic meltdown. Jeff Madrick, author of The Case for Big Government acted as the prosecutor against free market capitalism and Stephen Moore, co-author of The End of Prosperity, acted as the attorney for the defense. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman played the role of the judge and Steve Forbes, Charles Gasparino, John Mackey, and Doug Casey participated as star witnesses. 


“Trial of the New Century: Free Market Capitalism on Trial” was a 5:00 p.m. PT Friday general session of FreedomFest 2009, which was held July 9-11, 2009, at Bally’s Events Center in Las Vegas.