New Books Network Mark Blyth and Nicolò Fraccaroli, "Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers" (W. W. Norton & Co, 2025)
Jun 28, 2025
Mark Blyth, a leading political economist and author of 'Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers', joins Nicolò Fraccaroli to discuss the pervasive nature of inflation and its disproportionate effects on lower-income individuals. They challenge outdated narratives, emphasizing the roles of supply shocks and policymakers' blind spots. The conversation dives into global inflationary experiences, revealing how cultural contexts and historical crises shape our understanding. With humor and insight, they advocate for fresh approaches to navigate today's complex economic landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Multiple Inflation Narratives
- Inflation has multiple competing narratives that assign blame differently: government spending, workers, supply shocks, or corporate price gouging.
- These narratives influence policy choices and who ultimately pays for inflation.
Why American Eggs Are Expensive
- The high price of American eggs was due to bird flu and market concentration with only two major buyers controlling prices.
- In contrast, more competitive markets like Canada kept egg prices lower despite similar supply shocks.
Global Inflation Differences
- Inflation experiences differ globally, with commodity prices and exchange rates driving inflation in many Global South countries.
- Their inflation often stems from structural issues and currency crises rather than monetary mismanagement.
