New Books in Economics

Andrew deWaard, Assistant Professor of Media and Popular Culture at UC San Diego, delves into how Wall Street influences cultural production. He critiques the rise of derivative media, revealing how financial motivations damage creativity in film and music. DeWaard discusses the impact of hedge funds on media narratives and job security, using examples like '30 Rock' and the evolution of hip hop. He emphasizes the need for a critical understanding of media's financialization to protect original content in an increasingly corporate landscape.

Matilde Masso, an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of A Coruña, dives into the transformative nature of money in today's digital age. She discusses how money shapes social structures and justice, especially in light of the 2007-8 financial crisis. Masso critiques current digital currencies for their investment focus and advocates for innovations that address societal challenges, such as aging populations. The conversation highlights the evolving role of monetary systems, including Central Bank Digital Currencies, in promoting social cohesion and welfare.

Deborah Valenze, Ann Whitney Olin Professor of History at Barnard College, challenges Thomas Malthus's theories on population and food scarcity. She uncovers the diverse practices of subsistence that Malthus overlooked, such as hunting and gathering. Valenze critiques the colonial implications of Malthus's work, emphasizing biases against indigenous practices. She argues for a broader understanding of human livelihoods, suggesting that the misinterpretations of scarcity continue to influence modern economic thought and responses to poverty.

Join Dinesh Paudel, a professor focused on sustainable development and infrastructure in the Himalayas, and Aaron Magunna, a PhD student examining Asian responses to geopolitical tensions. They discuss the role of India in the Second Cold War, exploring how local histories shape relations with China. The conversation highlights regional dynamics, Nepal's strategic balancing act, and the implications of China's Belt and Road Initiative on infrastructure. They also tackle India's manufacturing challenges amidst these geopolitical shifts and environmental concerns.

In this discussion, Kevin Sanson, a Professor of Media Studies at Queensland University of Technology, explores the global evolution of Hollywood. He examines how the industry has become decentralized, shifting production away from Los Angeles. Sanson highlights the vital roles of 'below the line' workers and the complexities they face in diverse environments. He also sheds light on the changing landscape in Eastern Europe and the film industry's adaptation to new market forces, emphasizing the need for advocacy to improve labor conditions in the face of evolving demands.

Tevi Troy, an acclaimed presidential historian and former senior White House aide, explores the intense interactions between U.S. presidents and corporate titans in his new book. He dives into historical clashes, shedding light on figures like Rockefeller and Ford, and how they shaped politics and policy. Troy reveals how CEOs have become crucial in the regulatory landscape, influencing decisions with their alliances or confrontations with presidents. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of media moguls and technology in political campaigning.

Dennis Unkovic, an international attorney with extensive experience in global trade, discusses his new book, highlighting the fragility of China's political and economic landscape. He explores how demographic challenges, such as an aging population, threaten growth. Unkovic dives into the real estate crisis, geopolitical tensions with Taiwan and the U.S., and the risks of supply chain vulnerabilities. He also examines China's technological evolution amid rising nationalism and the pivotal role international organizations play in U.S.-China relations.

A clarion call for justice in the quest for clean energy California’s Salton Sea region is home to some of the worst environmental health conditions in the country. Recently, however, it has also become ground zero in the new “lithium gold rush”—the race to power the rapidly expanding electric vehicle and renewable energy storage market. The immense quantities of lithium lurking beneath the surface have led to predictions that the region could provide a third of global demand. But who will benefit from the development of this precious resource? A work of stunning analysis and reporting, Charging Forward: Lithium Valley, Electric Vehicles, and a Just Future (The New Press, 2024) shows that the questions raised by Lithium Valley lie at the heart of the “green transition.” Weaving together movement politics, federal policy, and autoworker struggles, noted experts Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor stress that getting the lithium out from under the earth is just a first step: the real question is whether the region and the nation will get out from under the environmental degradation, labor exploitation, and racial injustice that have been as much a part of the landscape as the Salton Sea itself. What happens in Lithium Valley, the authors argue, will not stay there. This tiny patch of California is a microcosm of the broad climate challenges we face; understanding Lithium Valley today is the key to grasping the future of our economy and our planet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have undermined democratic norms, practices, and laws. From bankrolling regressive politicians to funding ghost candidates with dark money, the book exposes how corporations subvert the will of the American people – yet courts struggle to hold corporate interests and corrupt politicians accountable. If American democracy is going to survive in the long term, then the deep pockets of the largest corporations cannot be allowed to join focus with the anti-democratic fringe. Professor Torres-Spelliscy fears a repeat of the January 6th insurrection – but with expansive corporate sponsorship.Professor Torres Spelliscy outlines the ways in which Corporate forces might be held accountable by the courts, their shareholders, and citizens themselves. Along with other reforms, she proposes a democracy litmus test that requires loyalty to democracy in politics and the economy.The end of the podcast features her insights on how oil interests crypto “techno bros” have invested in the outcome of the November 2024 election.Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is a Professor of Law at Stetson Law. She is also a Brennan Center Fellow at NYU Law School who has testified before Congress as an expert on campaign finance and has helped draft Supreme Court briefs. Previously, she authored Corporate Citizen (Carolina 2016) and Political Brands (Elgar 2019). She has recently written about public financing and the Eric Adams indictments and crypto spending in the 2024 election.Mentioned in the podcast: Judd Legum's work on corporate PACs in his Substack, Popular Information Photo with Barack Obama for which Jho Low paid $20 million can be seen here Example of 2022 media attempts to identify “sedition caucus” and election deniers for voters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

Mary Bridges, an author and expert on the evolution of US finance capitalism, discusses her book, highlighting the unexpected rise of US banking as a global powerhouse. She reveals how early bankers created a network to assert US influence, blending political power with local innovation. Bridges explores the hierarchies and inequalities that shaped trade finance, with a focus on the International Banking Corporation's ventures in the Philippines. She also examines how banks adapted to cultural challenges and the changes brought by the Great Depression.