John Donohue

Steve Levitt, Professor emeritus of economics at the University of Chicago, explores the unexpected link between legalized abortion and declining crime rates with Stanford's John Donohue and Amherst's Jessica Wolpaw Reyes. They delve into their groundbreaking research, revealing how abortion legalization may correlate with reduced crime and the complexities surrounding this controversial finding. The conversation also addresses misconceptions, the influence of environmental factors like lead exposure, and the role of data in public debates about sensitive topics.

John Donohue, a law professor with a Ph.D. in economics known for heated academic debates, joins to discuss guns, the death penalty, and the abortion–crime research he famously pursued. Short, punchy conversations cover right-to-carry claims, flaws in prominent studies, the limits of social science, implementation and costs of capital punishment, and the long-running controversy over legalized abortion and crime.

John Donohue, a Stanford Law professor and Second Amendment expert, discusses a groundbreaking Kansas ruling that strikes down the federal machine gun ban as unconstitutional, igniting debates over gun rights. Maia Spoto, a Bloomberg Law correspondent, reveals the gripping story of Tom Girardi, the once high-flying lawyer now convicted of embezzling from his clients. The fallout from Girardi’s deceit includes emotional testimonies from victims, while the gun regulation discussion emphasizes the legal shifts and challenges impacting public safety.

John Donohue, a Stanford law professor and economist, dives into heated debates on pivotal topics like guns, the death penalty, and their notorious research on abortion's link to crime rates. He discusses the complexities of concealed carry laws and their often misunderstood effects on crime. The conversation also tackles the challenges of proving truths in social sciences, the perplexities of gun control, and the financial burdens of capital punishment. Donohue reflects on identity and public perception, shedding light on the fierce backlash from academia surrounding his controversial theories.

Economist Steve Levitt from the University of Chicago and Stanford Law's John Donohue dive deep into the controversial theory linking Roe v. Wade to the decline in crime rates. They discuss their original research and the backlash it faced, along with updated analyses in light of new abortion restrictions. The conversation also navigates the complex ties between abortion, unwanted children, and societal outcomes. Levitt and Donohue urge a shift to data-driven discussions, emphasizing the importance of evidence in shaping public policy debates.