What is capitalism, really? Drawing on Adam Smith, Douglass North, and his own experience as a teacher and economist, economist Michael Munger of Duke University discusses three stages of economic development with EconTalk’s Russ Roberts: voluntary exchange, markets, and capitalism. Along the way, the conversation explores the moral and institutional foundations that make impersonal exchange possible, […] The post What Is Capitalism? (with Mike Munger) appeared first on Econlib.

How can the state of Colorado have nearly 700 sides? Why is a country’s coastline as long as you want it to be? And how is it that your UPS driver has more routes to choose from than there are stars in the universe? Listen as mathematician Paulina Rowinska talks with EconTalk’s Russ Roberts about […] The post The Deceptive Power of Maps (with Paulina Rowinska) appeared first on Econlib.

What if we could delay–or even prevent–Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease? What if much of what you know about aging is wrong? Listen as cardiologist and author Eric Topol of the Scripps Research Institute talks about his new book Super Agers with EconTalk’s Russ Roberts. They discuss why your genes matter less than you think, […] The post How to Be a Super Ager (with Eric Topol) appeared first on Econlib.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Does technology liberate us or enslave us? How do our social interactions affect our sense of self and our emotional health? Listen as author and master teacher Leon Kass and EconTalk’s Russ Roberts do a close reading of a few paragraphs of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and explore some of the deepest aspects of our relationships […] The post Leon Kass on the Wisdom of Rousseau appeared first on Econlib.

Economist Noah Smith was so focused on libertarianism’s theoretical flaws, he overlooked its political importance. Trump’s tariff policy opened his eyes and made him re-assess the virtues of both libertarianism and Econ 101. Listen as he and EconTalk’s Russ Roberts explore the way political competition has shaped economic policy in surprising ways in recent years. The post Two Cheers for Libertarianism and Econ 101 (with Noah Smith) appeared first on Econlib.

In honor of EconTalk’s 1,000th episode, host Russ Roberts reflects on his long, strange journey from pioneer of the podcast format to weekly interviewer of leading economists, authors, and thinkers. Hear him answer your–and Chat GPT’s–questions about why he got started, how he preps, and how he picks guests. He also explains why debate gave […] The post EconTalk #1000 (with Russ Roberts) appeared first on Econlib.

How much of our success or failure is written in our genes? How much is under our control? Is it nature or nurture or is that dichotomy too simplistic? Hear EconTalk’s Russ Roberts and psychologist Paul Bloom discuss why the nature vs. nurture question is actually worth taking seriously and how by understanding it we […] The post Nature vs. Nurture (with Paul Bloom) appeared first on Econlib.

Patrick McKenzie explains to EconTalk’s Russ Roberts how credit cards work, who makes money from them and how, and gives his take on whether cash customers and debit card users subsidize the users of credit cards with reward programs. The post Inside the Mysterious World of Credit Cards (with Patrick McKenzie) appeared first on Econlib.

A paradox of our time is our willingness to bare all to strangers while worrying about who exactly is watching us online and anywhere else. Listen as author Tiffany Jenkins discusses her book, Strangers and Intimates, with EconTalk’s Russ Roberts. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore the role of Martin Luther, J.S. Mill, reality TV, […] The post The Past and Present of Privacy and Public Life (with Tiffany Jenkins) appeared first on Econlib.

Is the United States victimized by trade? What causes trade deficits? Are higher tariffs a good idea? Can manufacturing jobs return to the United States? Economist Doug Irwin of Dartmouth College answers these questions and more in this wide-ranging conversation with EconTalk’s Russ Roberts. The post The Economics of Tariffs and Trade (with Doug Irwin) appeared first on Econlib.