Economics Matters with Laurence Kotlikoff cover image

Economics Matters with Laurence Kotlikoff

Inflation, Interest Rates, Fed Policy, and the Evolution of Economics Science: Insights from Harvard's Fabulous Economist, Benjamin Friedman

Jun 4, 2024
01:30:50

Take the guesswork out of financial decisions at every stage of life with Maxifi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maxifiplanner.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by Economist Laurence Kotlikoff.


Professor Kotlikoff sits down with Benjamin Friedman, a distinguished professor of economics at Harvard University and a prolific author whose works have significantly shaped economic thought. Renowned for his insightful analysis intertwining economics, history, and policy, Ben brings a depth of understanding that is both profound and broadly influential. His notable books, such as "The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth" and "Religion and the Rise of Capitalism," have garnered widespread acclaim for their insightful perspectives on economic philosophy and policy.


Topics Covered:

  • Economic Growth and Social Consequences
  • Historical Economic Thought and Religion
  • U.S. Fiscal Policy Through the Decades
  • Inflation, Monetary Policy, and the Federal Reserve

Timestamps:

  • 08:54 Background, growth, interest in economics, monetary policy.
  • 15:35 Interest in financial markets and public policy.
  • 20:39 Higher inflation leads to shooting interest rates.
  • 26:24 High economy demand, post-war inflation inevitable.
  • 29:27 Inflation blamed on monetary policy, oil prices.
  • 35:14 Economy and money are not neutral now.
  • 38:36 Praise for Volcker’s handling of tough times.
  • 46:15 Interest rates influence borrowing and spending uncertainty.
  • 52:59 Federal Reserve changed system to pay interest.
  • 57:07 Government fiscal gap unsustainable, may require tax hikes.
  • 01:00:53 Unsustainable government policy leads to inflation concerns.
  • 01:07:45 Off-the-books debt dwarfs official debt.
  • 01:11:28 Unfunded fiscal gap and burden on future generations.
  • 01:19:37 Economics is intertwined with religion throughout history.
  • 01:25:35 Ben recommends 14 books for deep education.


This episode offers listeners a comprehensive education in economics, unraveling how historical events, policy decisions, and economic philosophies are intricately connected. Ben's authoritative voice and nuanced analysis provide valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding the broader implications of economic growth and policy on society.

____________________________________________________

Laurence Kotlikoff is a Boston University Economist, a NY Times Best Selling Author, President of maxifi.com, and Author of Money Magic.


Follow Professor Kotlikoff:

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kotlikoff⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kotlikoff⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠laurencekotlikoff⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://larrykotlikoff.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kotlikoff.net/books/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Company: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maxifiplanner.com/⁠⁠⁠

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode