In this engaging discussion, Professor Agustina Paglayan, author of "Raised to Obey," critiques how mass primary education systems reinforce state authority over genuine learning. She probes the historical connections between education and societal order, highlighting the role of crises in shaping educational reforms. Key topics include the complexities of education's impact on national identity in Chile and Argentina, the late adoption of mass education in England, and the political dynamics driving educational policies. A thought-provoking exploration of education beyond mere obedience!

Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, a renowned macro-economist, dives into the critical connection between low fertility rates and economic growth. He discusses the stark implications of Japan's demographic challenges, demographic shifts in aging populations, and their effects on pensions. The conversation also touches on the complexities surrounding technological advancements, like AI, and their impact on productivity. Fernández-Villaverde examines how societal changes affect women’s roles in the workforce and emphasizes the need for family-friendly policies to foster a supportive environment.

Daron Acemoglu, a renowned professor known for his groundbreaking research on institutions, now pivots to explore culture's economic impact. He discusses how culture drives liberty and prosperity, emphasizing its nuanced role beyond simplistic views. The conversation dives into the influence of beliefs and cultural dynamics on behaviors, as well as the contrast between Confucianism and the Hindu caste system. Acemoglu also examines the relationship between cultural changes and political legitimacy while analyzing challenges faced by societies in adapting to modernization.

Dr. Oliver Kim, a recent PhD graduate from Berkeley and researcher at Open Philanthropy, dives into the remarkable economic convergence of East Asia with the West. He explores the historical and institutional legacies of nations like South Korea and Taiwan, illuminating the role of education and meritocratic reforms. The discussion highlights how big data is reshaping our understanding of structural transformation and the complexities of land reform in boosting economic growth. Oliver also analyzes the resurgence of industrial policies and their impact on current economic landscapes.

“Vikings is no. 1 from all the Saudi men 😂”. Leila chuckled as we browsed top hits on Netflix. For only 30 Riyals (8 USD) a month, Saudis can tune into stories about uncovered pagans. A global feast of delights are now on offer - from Western films to women’s football. Rapid cultural change is afoot in Saudi Arabia, a unique experiment in top-down secularisation. But how can we as social scientists study such rapid cultural evolution in real-time, especially in an autocracy? In this podcast, I’ll highlight some exciting new methodologies. Buckle up.

Culture is not a static inheritance, but a dynamic arena of ongoing struggle. From the mosques of Jakarta to the classrooms of Louisiana, from TikTok feeds to university lecture halls, ideological warfare rages. This podcast explores the complex interplay of several crucial factors shaping our cultural landscape: Contestation: Culture is a battlefield where competing ideologies clash, merge, and evolve. Prestigious actors and institutions are especially influential, as others look to them as successful. No norm is set in stone; instead, we see a perpetual push and pull between progressive and conservative forces, each vying to define societal values. Economic growth, technological advances and political freedoms do not entail cultural liberalisation. These are merely vehicles - to be used by progressives and conservatives alike. Religious and cultural traditions: Deep-seated beliefs shape the receptiveness to change, and the scope of public debate. Drawing on my qualitative research across nine world regions and evidence from multiple disciplines, this podcast examines ideological battles in diverse settings, from the United States to the Middle East, Southeast Asia to Latin America.

Imagine: Elon Musk's tweet causes a cryptocurrency frenzy. Kim Kardashian’s outfit becomes an overnight fashion sensation. Daron Acemoglu and colleagues’ paper on settler mortality reshapes economic thinking. The Pope’s words influence millions globally. What links these diverse events? They’re all powerful manifestations of prestige bias. Psychologically, we seek guidance from those who’ve achieved success, looking to emulate their paths to prosperity and social approval. This creates a dynamic where the accomplished influence others, often reinforcing their own status in the process. From NBER’s Summer Institute to the glitz of Hollywood, prestige bias permeates every sphere of human endeavour. However, its impact is perhaps most profound and far-reaching in the realm of religion. Join me on a journey to the heart of the Muslim world, where we’ll explore the influence of Cairo’s Al-Azhar - a beacon of Islamic scholarship whose teachings reverberate globally. Through this lens, we’ll uncover how prestige bias shapes not just individual choices, but entire cultural paradigms.

Senior management remains heavily male, and honestly I’m not entirely sure why. Economist Ingrid Haegele finds that junior men are more likely to apply for promotions, primarily due to a greater desire for team leadership. Paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.07750.pdf Haegele: https://www.ingridhaegele.com/

During the World War I, the US federal government was short on civil servants and actively recruited women. Abhay Aneja, Silvia Farina, and Guo Xu find that men with multiple female colleagues were subsequently more likely to marry working women and father careerist daughters! Crucially, the effect is larger when men have many female colleagues and it becomes perfectly conventional. Paper: https://www.nber.org/papers/w32639

How can we improve government capacity and public services? In “Mission-Driven Bureaucrats”, Dan Honig argues that civil servants are often deeply committed, yet hobbled by strict rule books. Trapped by top-down strictures, civil servants may even become disillusioned. Unable to help, they quit. Government ministries can be so much more effective if motivated civil servants actually have the autonomy to be creative, independent, and fix local problems. How do we know this? 4 million individual observations, along with in-depth case research in Detroit, Senegal, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Liberia. We discuss: What do most efforts to improve public management get wrong? How does management style affect recruitment and effectiveness? How can managers build cultures where workers feel empowered? Get the book: https://danhonig.info/missiondrivenbureaucrats