Henry Farrell, author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, discusses the shift from guns to SWIFT codes in American hegemony. Topics include semiconductors, SWIFT network, Binance, EU-US relations, Facebook's currency, and the future of global infrastructure.

Henry Farrell, an expert in international affairs from Johns Hopkins University, and Ed Conway, Sky News' economics editor, dive deep into the hidden frameworks of the global economy. They discuss how the US manipulates control over communication and finance, highlighting the power dynamics between the US and China over essential materials like rare earth elements. The conversation also examines vulnerabilities in supply chains exacerbated by recent global events, urging a reevaluation of economic strategies focused on foundational materials.

The one concept most valuable for understanding the news today might be Henry Farrell’s theory of weaponized interdependence. Whether it’s China’s influence over the NBA, the US ban of Huawei, or whether social media should be regulated on a global scale, Henry Farrell has played a key role articulating how global economic networks can enable state coercion. Tyler and Henry discuss these issues and more, including what a big tech breakup would mean for security and privacy, why political economics suggests Facebook’s Oversight Board won’t work, what Italy might reveal about China’s future, his family connection to Joyce, his undying affection for My Bloody Valentine, why Philip K. Dick would have reveled in QAnon, why Twitter seems left-wing, and being a first generation academic blogger. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Recorded October 7th, 2019 Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter  Follow Henry on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox. 

Henry Farrell, a political scientist and co-author of "Underground Empire," joins forces with fellow scholar Abe Newman to unpack economic warfare. They discuss how technological advancements have transformed economic statecraft and its merging with U.S. national security objectives. The duo reveals how the U.S. has weaponized global markets, influenced by corporations and historical precedents. With insights into the complexities of legal frameworks and economic coercion, they delve into the unintended consequences on global stability, especially in the context of relations with China.

Henry Farrell, author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, discusses how US hegemony shifted from guns to SWIFT codes and internet policies. They explore topics like US dollar dominance, control over the global crypto economy, the EU's relationship with the US, and the impact of the Snowden revelations on global networks.