Best Microeconomics Podcasts (2024)

1
How does Congress react to budget deficit projections? 21:58

4h ago21:58

21:58

Fiscal deficit projections are used by policymakers to understand the trajectory of U.S. debt. Between 1984 and 2003, Congress was responsive to these projections, raising taxes and cutting spending when projections showed that the deficit would grow. However, since 2004, fiscal policy has ceased being responsive to debt projections regardless of t…

1
S3E7: Elizabeth Cascio, Labor Economist, Dartmouth 1:19:58

3h ago1:19:58

1:19:58

Welcome back to The Mixtape with Scott, the podcast where we explore the personal stories behind the professional lives of economists. I’m your host, Scott Cunningham, coming to you from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Each week, we dive into the journeys, insights, and lives of economists whose work shapes how we understand the world. This week’…

1
Visa's Hidden Tax on Americans 47:01

7d ago47:01

47:01

While Americans rely on debit transactions for the necessities of life, most are unaware of the networks that drive those transactions, nor are they aware that one company, Visa, has monopolized debit transactions, penalized industry participants that seek to use alternative debit networks, and co-opted innovators, technology companies, and financi…

1
What is the value of dynamic scoring for legislators? 31:06

8d ago31:06

31:06

When Congress considers legislation, nonpartisan agencies provide estimates of the law’s potential economic effects to policymakers, a process known as “scoring.” In recent decades, analysts at the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation have developed models that incorporate complex feedback effects, going beyond conventional s…

1
S4E6: Timothy Bartik, Labor Economics, Upjohn Institute 1:38:01

9d ago1:38:01

1:38:01

Welcome to the latest episode of the Mixtape with Scott. This week my guest is Tim Bartik from the Upjohn Institute. Let me briefly share some things about Tim. Many of you may know Tim from the shift-share instrument which oftentimes is referred to as Bartik instruments. That’s what I refer to it in a section of my book, for instance. It has been …

1
How Lobbying Led to Crony Capitalism, with Brody Mullins 43:07

21d ago43:07

43:07

As the United States elections draw near, everyone is wondering who will take control of Washington next. In this week’s Capitalisn’t episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Brody Mullins reveals how the real winner will be neither Democrats nor Republicans. Rather, it will be the lobbyists. Mullins is the co-author (along with his brother Luke, a…

1
What role should sanctions play in foreign policy? The case of Russia. 33:35

22d ago33:35

33:35

Since 2022, Western nations have put a number of sanctions on Russia in response to its war in Ukraine. Policymakers and pundits have debated the efficacy of these measures, but this debate is belied by a deeper question: what does it mean for sanctions to “work”? In new BPEA research, Oleg Itskhoki of Harvard and Elina Ribakova of the Peterson Ins…

1
S4E5: Miikka Rokkanen, Consumer Behavior Analytics, Amazon 1:20:19

27d ago1:20:19

1:20:19

Greetings everyone! The leaves on the tree are turning orange as we inch our way towards Halloween and some of us in some unbearably hot portions of the world get to finally see how the good half live and have a whisper of pleasant weather even if it will only be here for a second or two. This week’s guest on the Mixtape with Scott is Miikka Rokkan…

1
Mailbag: UBI, AI, and Does Luigi Believe in "Free Time"? 37:54

1M ago37:54

37:54

You asked and we answered: Over the last year, we have solicited listeners’ questions via voicemail, email, and social media. In this episode, our producer, Matt, turns the tables on Bethany and Luigi and puts them in the hot seat to answer your burning questions in an Ask Me Anything “AMA” format. How do Bethany and Luigi actually define capitalis…

1
What is the efficient rate of unemployment? 26:05

1M ago26:05

26:05

The full-employment rate of unemployment may seem like a contradiction, but in fact, economists have long understood that some unemployment is necessary. In their new paper, Pascal Michaillat of UC Santa Cruz and Saez of the University of California, Berkeley present a new formula for identifying the efficient rate of unemployment in the U.S. and f…

1
S4E4: Maya Rossin-Slater, Health Economist, Stanford 1:20:47

1M ago1:20:47

1:20:47

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Mixtape with Scott! It’s a pleasure to introduce this week’s guest from Stanford University, Maya Rossin-Slater. Maya is a health economist who specializes in areas related to families in particular. Early work of hers focused on public policies aimed at labor markets as an avenue for helping families, notably …

1
Harris vs. Trump: Economics Beyond The "Vibes" 40:49

1M ago40:49

40:49

Last week, United States presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump delivered hour-long speeches outlining their economic policies for the country if they win in November. This week on a special episode of Capitalisn’t, Bethany and Luigi weigh in on the candidates’ economic proposals. What makes this discussion particularly urgent is th…

1
Can Democracy Coexist With Big Tech? with Marietje Schaake 45:24

2M ago45:24

45:24

International technology policy expert, Stanford University academic, and former European parliamentarian Marietje Schaake writes in her new book that a “Tech Coup” is happening in democratic societies and fast approaching the point of no return. Both Big Tech and smaller companies are participating in it, through the provision of spyware, microchi…

1
S4E3: Mohammad Akbarpour, Microeconomic Theory, Stanford 1:27:58

2M ago1:27:58

1:27:58

Welcome to the Mixtape with Scott! Sometimes the shortest distance between point A and point B is a straight line, but other times the shortest distance is a winding path. This week’s guest, Mohammad Akbarpour from Stanford University, is perhaps an example of the latter. Mohammad is a micro theorist at Stanford who specializes in networks, mechani…

1
Universities and Politics: Should They Mix? with Hanna Gray 46:58

2M ago46:58

46:58

America’s universities have powered its economy by developing an educated workforce and producing transformative technology, including the internet and vaccines. They were seen as vehicles for social mobility; when veterans returned home from World War II, the newly enacted G.I. Bill compensated millions with paid college and vocational school tuit…

1
S4E2: N. Greg Mankiw, Macroeconomics, Harvard 1:12:04

2M ago1:12:04

1:12:04

Greetings! Today’s guest on the Mixtape needs no introduction, but I guess I will anyway. N. Greg Mankiw is a household name to many of us in economics. Either you are a macroeconomist, and his work in new Keynesian economics was something that you had come to know extremely well, or you are literally every other economist, and his principles of ec…

1
Raj Chetty's Surprising New Insights On How Children Succeed 51:17

3M ago51:17

51:17

Is race a more consequential determinant of social mobility than class? How and under what circumstances do Americans move up the economic ladder? For years, Harvard economist Raj Chetty has leveraged big data to answer these questions. In his recent paper, Chetty and his team show that Black millennials born to low-income parents have more quickly…

1
S4E1: Janet Currie, Health and Children, Princeton 1:35:36

3M ago1:35:36

1:35:36

Welcome the Mixtape with Scott! This is a podcast with a simple objective: listen to the personal stories of living economists who are the primary guests I have on the show. The secondary goal is to follow a thread of people around topics I care about and allow a patchwork story of the profession to form based on, from and through those personal na…

1
The End of Google As We Know It? 51:12

3M ago51:12

51:12

This week we're taking a quick summer break, but in the meantime, we wanted to re-share a special episode that is relevant in the news again. With the recent federal court ruling that Google engaged in illegal monopolization of internet searches, we thought it would be a great opportunity to share our episode with lawyer Dina Srinivasan. She's an e…

1
Final: How to Create a Solution to Poverty 11:53

3M ago11:53

11:53

We delve into the essential process of developing a plan to tackle global challenges like poverty. The lesson guides viewers through evaluating existing solutions, identifying leverage points, and creating a hypothesis for solving the issue. It emphasizes the importance of designing and implementing a detailed plan, measuring results, and iterating…

1
Solutions: How Can Investing be a Solution to Poverty? 5:35

3M ago5:35

5:35

We explore the concept of investing and its potential as a solution to poverty. We delve into the fundamentals of investing in assets, from stocks and bonds to real estate and businesses, explaining how they can generate wealth and improve living standards over time. We discuss the challenges faced by impoverished communities, such as lack of capit…

1
Solutions: How Can Economic Protectionism be a Solution to Poverty? 6:23

3M ago6:23

6:23

In this video, we explore the concept of economic protectionism and its potential to alleviate poverty. We explain protectionism from first principles, discuss how it aims to protect domestic industries and promote economic growth, and examine the arguments for and against its effectiveness in reducing poverty. The video also outlines a step-by-ste…

1
Solutions: How Can Economic Liberalization be a Solution to Poverty? 7:32

3M ago7:32

7:32

Today, we explore economic liberalization: its definition, its potential to alleviate poverty, and its limitations. Learn how reducing government intervention can promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and foreign investment while creating jobs and fostering economic growth. We also consider the potential downsides, such as income inequality and lab…

1
Solutions: How Can Progressive Taxes be a Solution to Poverty? 7:32

3M ago7:32

7:32

In this video, we explore how progressive taxes could be a solution to poverty. We start by defining progressive taxes and their underlying principles, followed by an examination of how these taxes redistribute wealth to promote income equality. The video also discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks, including arguments from critics and prop…

1
Solutions: How Can Diversifying the Economy be a Solution to Poverty? 6:32

3M ago6:32

6:32

In this video, we explore the concept of diversifying the economy and how it can be a powerful solution to poverty. We define economic diversification and discuss its benefits, such as job creation, equitable income distribution, and reduced vulnerability to economic shocks. The video also considers the challenges and potential downsides of diversi…

1
Solutions: How Can International Trade be a Solution to Poverty? 6:26

3M ago6:26

6:26

Learn about international trade and its role in addressing global poverty. This video explains the principles of trade between countries, how it promotes economic growth, and its potential benefits and challenges. Discover the impact of trade agreements, foreign investment, and policies on poverty reduction. Perfect for passionate students interest…

1
Solutions: How Can Access to Energy be a Solution to Poverty? 7:13

3M ago7:13

7:13

Discover how access to modern energy services can be a transformative solution to poverty. This lesson breaks down the concept of energy access, its benefits, and its challenges. Learn how energy access supports economic growth, improves healthcare and education, and bridges urban-rural disparities. Also, explore real-life examples like the Solar H…

1
Solutions: How Can Sustained Economic Growth be a Solution to Poverty? 7:52

3M ago7:52

7:52

In this lesson from Plato University, we explore the concept of sustained economic growth and its role in alleviating poverty. We discuss the benefits of economic expansion, such as job creation, higher incomes, and increased government revenues for social welfare programs. Challenges like income inequality, environmental impact, and external depen…

1
Solutions: How Can Criminal Reentry be a Solution to Poverty? 6:36

4M ago6:36

6:36

In this video, we explore the concept of criminal reentry and its potential to alleviate poverty. We discuss how assisting formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities, reducing recidivism, and providing social support services can help them reintegrate into society and avoid poverty. We also address challenges such as stigma and…

1
Dani Rodrik on the New Economics of Industrial Policy 45:04

3M ago45:04

45:04

Harvard professor of international political economy Dani Rodrik has long been skeptical of what he calls "hyperglobalization," or an advanced level of interconnectedness between countries and their economies. He first introduced his theory of the "globalization trilemma" in the late 1990s, which states that no country can simultaneously support de…

1
Solutions: How Can Job Creation be a Solution to Poverty? 6:01

4M ago6:01

6:01

In this video, we explore the concept of job creation and its potential to solve poverty. We break down what job creation is, its benefits, and the challenges it faces. Discover who benefits and who might be adversely affected, and learn about the factors that influence the feasibility of job creation. Get insights into real-life examples like the …

1
Solutions: How Can Microfinance be a Solution to Poverty? 6:14

4M ago6:14

6:14

In this video, explore the concept of microfinance and its potential to alleviate poverty. Learn about the basic principles of microfinance, its impact on low-income individuals, and the various benefits and challenges it presents. We also discuss successful examples like the Grameen Bank and the necessary skills for students to develop to effectiv…

1
Solutions: How Can Entrepreneurship be a Solution to Poverty? 6:32

4M ago6:32

6:32

In this video, we explore how entrepreneurship can be a powerful solution to poverty. We start by defining entrepreneurship from first principles, discussing its potential to create jobs and drive economic growth in impoverished areas. We address potential challenges such as access to capital, lack of education, and structural issues. The video hig…

1
Solutions: How Can Cryptocurrency be a Solution to Poverty? 7:48

4M ago7:48

7:48

Explore how cryptocurrency could be a solution to global poverty in this enlightening video. We'll cover the basics of cryptocurrency, its potential benefits for the unbanked and underbanked, and its role in reducing remittance costs. We'll also address the challenges and risks, such as market volatility and lack of regulation. Learn who stands to …

1
Solutions: How Can Debt Relief be a Solution to Poverty? 7:34

4M ago7:34

7:34

This video explores the concept of debt relief, how it can aid in poverty reduction, and the complexities involved in its implementation. Debt relief involves forgiving or reducing a debtor's obligations to free up resources for poverty alleviation programs in education, healthcare, and social welfare. The video discusses the benefits and potential…

1
Solutions: How Can Foreign Aid be a Solution to Poverty? 6:14

4M ago6:14

6:14

This video provides a comprehensive overview of what foreign aid is, its role in solving poverty, and the complexities surrounding its effectiveness. It defines foreign aid as assistance provided by one country to another in various forms such as grants, loans, and technical expertise, aimed at supporting development and humanitarian efforts. The v…

1
Solutions: How Can Social Welfare be a Solution to Poverty? 6:02

4M ago6:02

6:02

This video explores the concept of social welfare as a potential solution to poverty. It begins by defining social welfare from first principles, highlighting its goal to provide assistance to those in need and improve the well-being of vulnerable populations. The video discusses how social welfare can help solve poverty through financial aid and a…

1
Solutions: How Can Childcare be a Solution to Poverty? 5:38

4M ago5:38

5:38

This video explores the concept of access to childcare and its critical role in addressing poverty. It delves into how providing reliable, safe, and affordable childcare services enables parents, particularly those from low-income families or single-parent households, to enter or stay in the workforce, thereby enhancing their economic stability and…

1
Solutions: How Can Shelter be a Solution to Poverty? 5:33

4M ago5:33

5:33

The video delves into the importance of access to shelter as a vital solution to poverty. It explains that access to safe, affordable, and secure housing not only provides a stable environment for individuals and families but also enables them to focus on education, employment, and participating in social activities, thus improving their overall we…

1
S3E26: Javier Gardeazabal, Political Economy and Econometrics, University of the Basque Country 1:29:48

4M ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Mixtape with Scott, a podcast devoted to listening to the personal stories of living economists and creating an oral history of the profession. This episode is partly inspired by my visit to San Sebastián, Spain, with my daughter right now and partly inspired by a 2003 article co-authored with Alberto Abadie st…

1
Solutions: How Can Sanitation be a Solution to Poverty? 5:28

4M ago5:28

5:28

This video delves into the pivotal role of sanitation in alleviating poverty. It begins by defining sanitation and its importance in public health and environmental protection. The script argues that sanitation is crucial for reducing the spread of waterborne diseases, increasing productivity by reducing illness, and enhancing human dignity, especi…

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