Pascal bernard writes from paris, france. What has economics to say about governments, duty, role, futility? In trying to prevent or break up monopolies,. The case microsop comes to mind. Is the remedy worse than marked failure in the first place? Maybe you have some new, unconventional insight into this problem.? And is there a link between a nationally owned company, meaning not in foreigners hands, and its employment, employment policy growth prospects for politicians?
Richard Thaler of the U. of Chicago Graduate School of Business defends the idea of libertarian paternalism--how government might use the insights of behavioral economics to help citizens make better choices. Host Russ Roberts accepts the premise that individuals make imperfect choices but challenges Thaler on the likelihood that government, in practice, will improve matters. Along the way they discuss the design of Sweden's social security system, organ donations and whether professors at Cornell University are more or less like you and me.