New Books in Economics

Jack Copley, an Assistant Professor of International Political Economy at Durham University, delves into the complex landscape of financialization in Britain. He explores how the financial sector's growth stemmed from policymakers' responses to crises, rather than a cohesive ideological plan. Copley discusses the historical context of the 1970s and 1980s, revealing the motivations behind key reforms, and unpacks the intricate state-market dynamics that have shaped the current economic landscape, ultimately highlighting the significant implications for global capitalism.

Maliha Safri, a Professor of economics, joins Marianna Pavlovskaya, Stephen Healy, and Craig Borowiak to discuss their book on solidarity cities. They explore the transformative power of cooperative networks in challenging racial capitalism. The conversation highlights diverse initiatives like community gardens and cooperatives that foster social and economic justice. They emphasize counter-mapping as a tool for advocacy and share how these local movements can address unmet needs while building community resilience against systemic divides.

From the workings of financial markets to our response to the ecological crisis, economic theory shapes the world. But where do these ideas come from? Ricardo’s Dream: How Economists Forgot the Real World and Led Us Astray (Bristol University Press, 2024) tells the fascinating story of David Ricardo, Adam Smith’s only real rival as the ‘founder of economics’. The wealthiest stock trader of his day, Ricardo introduced the study of abstract models to economics. He also developed the theory of trade that underpinned globalization and hides, behind its mathematical facade, a history of power, empire, and slavery. Brimming with fresh ideas and stories, Ricardo’s Dream shows how too many economists, from Ricardo’s day to our own, have turned away from observing the real world and led us astray. Nat Dyer is a writer and researcher specialising in global political economy. He is a Fellow of the Schumacher Institute and the Royal Society of Arts. He has worked for Global Witness and for Promoting Economic Pluralism and his stories have been reported on by the BBC, the New York Times and Bloomberg Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

Uncle Sam is watching, whether you like it or not. And the surveillance program the United States is building has as its foundation immigrants who have crossed the nation's southern border. In Data Borders: How Silicon Valley is Builidng an Industry Around Immigrants (University of California Press, 2023), UCLA information studies professor Melissa Villa-Nicholas deftly explains how private corporations such as Amazon and Palantir, government agencies including ICE and the CBP, and even public libraries all coordinate to track citizens and non-citizens alike. Mass amounts of data are networked to immigrants, who link people together like nodes on a map. A startlingly relevant book, Villa-Nicholas argues that stories we tell about data, and about human experiences, can either aid or act as a bulwark against this type of mass surveillance. The surveillance state is here, and it was born in the American West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks with Lauren Bridges, Assistant Professor of Media Studies at the University of Virginia, about her work on the political, economic, and environmental politics of big data infrastructures. They focus on some of Bridges’ work on the disconnect between the promises made to localities around digital transformation and the realities of data center power demands and other material factors. They also discuss Bridges’ other projects, including “Geographies of Digital Wasting,” a global collaborative project, which Bridges was co-PI on, tracing the global flows and practices of digital wasting throughout the tech supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

Saleem H. Ali, Chair and Distinguished Professor of Geography at the University of Delaware, dives into the essence of sustainability. He unpacks its history from the 1992 Earth Summit, discussing the intricate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation. Ali also analyzes impactful concepts like the 'Tragedy of the Commons' and the debate spurred by Ehrlich and Simon's bet on resources. He emphasizes the importance of renewability and corporate responsibility, showing how sustainability can drive profitability while preserving our planet.

Jennifer Clapp, a Professor in the School of Environment Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo, dives into the world of industrial agriculture and its dominate players. She discusses how a handful of corporations control agricultural inputs and the historical forces that led to this concentration of power. Clapp highlights the ecological and social impacts of industrial farming, while also exploring alternatives like agroecological practices. The need for policy reform and awareness of these challenges is emphasized throughout the conversation.

Hosts Nina dos Santos and Owen Bennett-Jones analyze the global fallout after Donald Trump plunged America and the world into a trade war with China. David Rennie, The Economist’s geopolitics editor and former Beijing and Washington D.C. bureau chief, joins the podcast to unpack how Xi Jinping is playing the long game and playing to win.In this episode, we explore Xi’s high-stakes strategy in the global trade war. From embracing economic pain to fostering innovation under autocracy, China is challenging Western dominance on every front. However, as the controversy over British Steel demonstrates, Beijing’s drive to exert control often at the expense of freedoms abroad—risks alienating future partners.In the second half, activist Chloe Chung shares her personal story of falling afoul of the Chinese authorities. A pro-democracy campaigner, Chloe awoke in December to news that police in Hong Kong had issued a HK$1 million ($128,000; £102,000) bounty for information leading to her capture abroad.With democracy under pressure, this is more than just a trade war—it’s a battle for the future of the global order.Producer: Pearse LynchExecutive Producer: Lucinda Knight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

Roberta Mazza, an Associate Professor of Papyrology at the University of Bologna, dives into the murky waters of the illicit trade in ancient artifacts. She recounts her decade-long investigation into controversial acquisitions by Hobby Lobby's Steve Green, revealing hidden networks that exploit cultural heritage. The discussion unveils ethical dilemmas surrounding artifact ownership and the impact of colonialism on contemporary collecting practices. Mazza advocates for improved dialogue on repatriation and a shift towards preserving rather than plundering history.

Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin and the first Black woman to earn an economics PhD from the University of Chicago, shares her insights on using economic principles to navigate life’s big decisions. She discusses how economic theories can empower personal choices—from negotiating salaries to deciding when to buy a home. Fairweather also advocates for land value taxation as a fairer alternative to traditional property taxes, aiming to improve housing accessibility. Her unique blend of personal experience and behavioral economics makes complex ideas approachable.