Odd Lots Lots More with Brad Setser
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Dec 1, 2023 
In this discussion, Brad Setser, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, dives into Argentina's complex economic challenges following Javier Milei's election. He highlights the radical proposals, such as dollarization and abolishing the central bank, questioning their feasibility. Setser reflects on Argentina's history of defaults and reliance on international funding, analyzing the implications of aggressive fiscal strategies. The conversation also touches on past dollarization efforts in other countries, providing valuable insights into potential pathways for the nation.
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Joe's Argentina Interview Fail
- Joe Weisenthal recounts bombing a job interview with Brad Setser years ago.
- He tried cramming on Argentina's economic woes, but failed to answer Setser's policy questions.
Argentina's Economic Woes
- Argentina's economy has a small banking system, hindering domestic deficit financing.
- It relies heavily on external borrowing and has a small, volatile export sector.
Argentina's Debt Cycle
- Despite frequent defaults, Argentina continually receives loans.
- It is currently the IMF's largest debtor, raising questions about lending practices.