Economics Explained

Is there such a thing as "good debt"? And how could something good cause so many issues? On top of this is there any way that we could just run an economy without debt and would we be better off for doing so. Well, it turns out we probably can, and in fact, there are many economies around the world today that are developing rapidly while going without this system that we just assume is a given. If we can critically explore these questions it will offer insight into how our modern financial system works, and why it means that despite our best efforts we are almost destined to go into a recession once every 10 years or so. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The internet is widely hailed as one of the most economically impact inventions of the modern era. But there is one much more mundane invention that at least one economist believes was even more important - the washing machine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic growth is something that is important to every global citizen today. But it's not something to necessarily take for granted – we are certainly not "owed" long-term growth. We must earn it. And above all, we must continue innovating to become more efficient. Simultaneously, society must collectively address the major issues that we're inevitably set to face within this century if we wish to ensure that future generations live better than their predecessors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What will the potential economic outcomes of leadership change be why is it that a dictatorship inherently makes for a poor economy? What the potential outcomes will be for North Korea will be in the future. How countries have dealt with this type of situation in the past. And perhaps initially what is it that would stand in the way of a country like North Korea embracing a modern economic system, what keeps them poor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hong Kong has done very well for itself as a global middleman. And the meteoric rise of its neighboring economy, China, has only strengthened the city’s already-prosperous position.  But, of course, if you follow the news, you probably already know that Hong Kong has seen better days. Global trade tensions, prolonged protests, and good old-fashioned competition have dramatically impacted its economy in recent years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

France is a global trendsetter for other economies. This goes from the rollout of the metric system to more tangible short term indicators. If you want to predict the future, look to France. This is not to say that the country is any further ahead than any other developed nation. In fact, in many ways, it is quite the opposite, but the industries they choose to engage in making them a great indicator for global economic performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taxes are an unfortunate reality for most people living and working in the modern world, we pay them every year, we complain about them, and then we forget them until next year.  Taxes are one of the most important elements of any economy around the world. Entire societies can grow from effective taxation and crumble without it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2017, at Christie’s Auction House in New York, a mysterious #Art buyer bid a record-breaking $450 million dollars for the #SalvatorMundi; a painting by the legendary Leonardo da Vinci. News of the staggering purchase price sent shockwaves throughout the entire art market (which, interestingly, has been a reliable indicator of impending market bubbles for decades).  What drives the high-end #ArtMarket? How can art be used to move money in creative ways and get around taxes? And perhaps above all, why would anyone park so much money in a picture when there are other asset classes that actually generate cash, like real estate rentals or dividend-paying stocks? … all this and more in today’s episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brazil is currently the 9th largest economy in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund. This means that if the nation does make the jump from developing to developed, it could rival economic superpowers like Germany, Japan, or the United Kingdom.  And as crazy as it may sound, it may become an economy that rivals the USA or China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China's Belt and Road initiative is set to be the most influential economic development project in recent history. It’ll be an investment measured in trillions, connecting dozens of nations with roads, rail lines, shipping routes, and most important of all: trade deals.  But for all of the impressive figures, there’s an equally concerning list of problems centered around the nation that looks to be the ringmaster of this whole project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices