Intelligence Squared

Food for Thought: A Hungry Economist Explains the World

Feb 8, 2023

Join Ha-Joon Chang, a prominent development economist and author, as he critiques the dullness of British cuisine and neoclassical economic thinking. He shares insights from his book 'Edible Economics,' emphasizing the need for a diverse economic discourse much like a rich diet. Chang discusses the limitations of GDP in measuring well-being and advocates for alternative metrics like happiness indices. He humorously unpacks myths about productivity in tropical economies while stressing the urgent need for public intervention in tackling climate change.

37:21

Episode guests

Ha-Joon Chang

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Reflections on Economic Forecasting and Food Economics

14min

Navigating Economics and Climate Change: The Need for Comprehensive Solutions

3min

Rethinking Consumption and Capitalism

9min

Coconut Myths: Unpacking Productivity and Poverty in Tropical Economies

6min

When world-renowned economist Ha-Joon Chang first arrived in Britain in the 1980s he recoiled in horror at how dull and dreary British food was at that time. But it was not just the food that caused him to despair: it was mainstream economic thinking too. Neoclassical liberalism was, and still is, the only item he found on Britain’s menu of economic ideas. Rethinking that menu is the theme of his new book, Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World. Through a series of culinary anecdotes Chang explains that just as a rich and varied diet nourishes the body, moving beyond the narrow confines of neoclassical economics can help to build a better and fairer world. Speaking with Chang for this episode is Victoria Scholar, Head of Investment at Interactive Investor.

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