Author and journalist Sam Quinones talks about his book, The Least of Us, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Quinones focuses on the devastation caused by methamphetamine and fentanyl, the latest evolution of innovation in the supply of mind-altering drugs in the United States. The latest versions of meth, he argues, are more emotionally damaging than before and have […] The post Sam Quinones on Meth, Fentanyl, and the Least of Us appeared first on Econlib.

Economist and author Arnold Kling talks about improving government regulation with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Kling suggests ways to improve the administrative state–the agencies and regulatory bodies that often write the regulations that they enforce. The conversation concludes with Kling’s idea for holding public intellectuals accountable for their pronouncements. The post Arnold Kling on Reforming Government and Expertise appeared first on Econlib.

Author and economist Noreena Hertz of University College London talks about her book, The Lonely Century, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Hertz blames social media and the individualist, pro-capitalism worldviews of leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan for the rise in loneliness in the developed world. Russ suggests some alternative causes. The result is a lively conversation […] The post Noreena Hertz on the Lonely Century appeared first on Econlib.

Economist and author David Henderson talks about his book (co-authored with Steve Globerman) The Essential UCLA School of Economics with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Much of the conversation focuses on the work of Armen Alchian and Harold Demsetz, who both saw economics as a powerful tool for understanding human behavior and how the world works. The post David Henderson on the Essential UCLA School of Economics appeared first on Econlib.

Author and Microsoft executive Glen Weyl talks about radical reforms of capitalism with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Weyl is worried about the concentration of corporate power, especially in the tech sector. But rather than use the traditional tools of antitrust, he has a more radical strategy for reorganizing corporate governance entirely. The post Glen Weyl on Antitrust, Capitalism, and Radical Reform appeared first on Econlib.

Author and journalist Johann Hari talks about his book, Lost Connections: Why You Are Depressed and How to Find Hope, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Hari, who has suffered with depression as a teenager and an adult, offers a sweeping critique of the medical establishment’s understanding of depression and the frequent reliance on pharmaceutical treatments. Hari argues that it is […] The post Johann Hari on Lost Connections appeared first on Econlib.

Historian Bret Devereaux of the University of North Carolina talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about our understanding of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Devereaux highlights the gap between the reality of Greece and Rome and how they’re portrayed in popular culture. The conversation focuses on the diversity of ancient Rome and the military prowess of […] The post Bret Devereaux on Ancient Greece and Rome appeared first on Econlib.

Law professors Michael Heller and James Salzman talk about their book, Mine! with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Heller and Salzman argue that ownership is trickier and more complicated than it looks. While we tend to think of something as either mine or not mine, there’s often ambiguity and a continuum about who owns what. Salzman […] The post Michael Heller and James Salzman on Mine! appeared first on Econlib.

Journalist and author Nicholas Wapshott talks about his book Samuelson Friedman with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Milton Friedman and Paul Samuelson were two of the most influential economists of the last century. They competed for professional acclaim and had very different policy visions. The conversation includes their differences over the work of Keynes, their rivalry […] The post Nicholas Wapshott on Samuelson and Friedman appeared first on Econlib.

Author and economist Michael Munger of Duke University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the virtues–and the flaws–of free markets. Munger says the best argument for a free market approach is not that it’s perfect but that it’s better than anything else we’ve been able to come up with over the centuries. Better at […] The post Michael Munger on Free Markets appeared first on Econlib.