Civilization and the pleasantness of everyday life depend on unwritten rules. Early in the 20th century, an English mathematician and government official, Lord Moulton, described complying with these rules as "obedience to the unenforceable"--the area of personal choice that falls between illegal acts and complete freedom. Listen as economist Michael Munger talks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about the power and challenge of the unenforceable.

Duke University economist Michael Munger discusses the history of government intervention in response to market failure, exploring debates on maximizing happiness through allocation, the role of trial and error in decision-making, product innovation, and the challenges of industrial policy. The conversation delves into government failure in decision-making processes, expert committees in governance, and perceptions of bureaucracies.

Economist and political scientist Michael Munger of Duke University talks about industrial policy with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Munger argues that in a democracy, the default outcome for industrial policy is crony capitalism--attempts to improve on that outcome either by appointing experts or eliminating cronyism are going to fail for political reasons. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the reliability of Munger's claim and what options are left for dissatisfied reformers.

Michael Munger, Professor of Political Science at Duke University, joins EconTalk's Russ Roberts to discuss the trolley problem, effective altruism, the moral claims of Peter Singer, and Adam Smith's perspective on moral decision-making.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Michael Munger, a political science and economics professor at Duke University, delves into the clash between liberalism and populism, highlighting challenges in today’s political landscape. He critiques the trust collapse in institutions and stresses the necessity of preserving open dialogue and intellectual curiosity among younger generations. Munger also reflects on the evolving nature of political terminology and the impact of technology on human behavior, offering a hopeful glimpse into realigning timeless ideals amidst modern chaos.