New Books in Economics Mark Blyth and Nicolò Fraccaroli, "Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers" (W. W. Norton & Co, 2025)
Jun 28, 2025
Mark Blyth, a political economist and professor at Brown University, teams up with Nicolò Fraccaroli to discuss the resurgence of inflation and its complex effects on various socio-economic groups. They challenge outdated narratives and examine modern influences like tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Exploring the hidden impacts of inflation, they shed light on inequalities and propose fresh approaches for policymakers. Their engaging commentary offers a thought-provoking look at the interplay between inflation, economic policy, and societal shifts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Inflation's Unequal Impact
- Inflation is often explained simply as too much money chasing too few goods, but this view is incomplete and overlooks distributional effects.
- Poor people suffer more from inflation because they consume a larger share of their income and face higher credit costs.
Competing Inflation Narratives
- Four main narratives explain inflation: government spending, labor markets, supply shocks, and price gouging.
- Each narrative assigns blame differently, influencing who is expected to pay the price for inflation.
Global South Inflation Dynamics
- Inflation in Global South countries often stems from commodity price cycles and exchange rate crises.
- These dynamics make inflation more persistent and challenging to control in developing economies.
