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Join economist Peter Boettke as he discusses how transaction costs impact market efficiency and our everyday decisions. We delve deep into historical examples, particularly the Soviet Union, to highlight the consequences of centralized planning versus individual market actions.

Through engaging anecdotes and rigorous analysis, Boettke reveals why understanding transaction costs is essential for navigating the complexities of modern economies. We also explore the evolving discourse surrounding socialism, questioning whether new technologies, such as AI, could revolutionize planning efforts. This episode is not just for economists; it's a critical discussion for anyone seeking to understand the interplay between institutions, information, and human behavior in shaping societal outcomes.

Our conversation unravels the myths surrounding economic models and their real-world applications, encouraging listeners to think critically about the institutions that govern our economy. Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking discussion that could reshape your perception of economics.

Peter Boettke:

Web page: https://economics.gmu.edu/people/pboettke
Recent book: Socialist Calculation Debate (Cambridge U Press) https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/socialist-calculation-debate/5E63749F9D34D065193DCF77FC9FD8A9
Recent Econtalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NVocBZ8S7U

Munger papers on “Status Quo” and James Buchanan:

(with G. Vanberg) https://scholars.duke.edu/publication/1475073
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-03080-3_3

Munger on information and "generation": The "Socialist Generation Debate," at AIER

Mainline Economics Resources:

Book'o'da'month:

Bill Mauldin, BRASS RING: A SORT OF MEMOIR. 1973, WW Norton.

If you have questions or comments, or want to suggest a future topic, email the show at taitc.email@gmail.com !

You can follow Mike Munger on Twitter at @mungowitz

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