New Books in Economics

Dr. Yasmin Ortiga, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Singapore Management University, discusses her book on the pandemic's impact on migration in the Philippines. She highlights how travel restrictions caused unexpected immobility for many potential migrants, revealing the contrasting experiences of nurses and cruise workers. Yasmin explores the evolving narratives of Filipino migrant workers, focusing on their emotional struggles during repatriation and the disconnect between state policies and lived realities, shedding light on identity and community support amid crises.

Bonny Ling, an expert in human rights and modern slavery, discusses the pressing issues faced by migrant workers in Taiwan. She highlights key risks in supply chains and emphasizes Taiwan’s efforts to align with international labor standards. Ling challenges stereotypes, showing how technology affects migrant labor and the critical roles these workers play. The conversation covers the responsibilities of Taiwanese firms to enhance labor practices and stresses the need for government guidelines to bridge legal gaps, promoting a fairer model of recruitment and worker protection.

Paul Vigna, an author and journalist with expertise in capital markets and cryptocurrencies, delves into the intricate ties between money, religion, and society. He uncovers how our reverence for wealth has replaced traditional values, transforming greed into a civic virtue. Through historical anecdotes, he illustrates how figures like the Medici redefined greed during the Renaissance, leading to modern economic justifications for inequality and exploitation. Vigna calls for a profound reassessment of our values, urging a focus on societal welfare over monetary obsession.

In this engaging discussion, Christopher Marquis, a Professor of Chinese Management at Cambridge University and co-author of "Mao and Markets," unveils the lasting impact of Mao Zedong’s ideology on modern Chinese enterprises. He reveals how the blend of state capitalism and communist principles continues to drive China’s economic success. The conversation covers the hesitations of Chinese entrepreneurs in global markets, essential Maoist concepts for Western businesses, and the surprising entrepreneurial vibrancy of China's third front cities, all underpinned by political influences that shape the landscape.

Mark R. Rank, a Professor at Washington University, sheds light on the widespread myths surrounding poverty in America. He challenges the notion that hard work alone leads to success, revealing systemic barriers that keep many in economic hardship. Rank discusses the high prevalence of poverty across diverse demographics and critiques harmful narratives about welfare and family structures. He advocates for more comprehensive discussions on economic stability and argues for policy reforms to combat poverty and inequality effectively.

Apostles of Development: Six Economists and the World They Made (Oxford University Press and Penguin RandomHouse South Asia, 2025) by Dr. David Engerman recounts the work of six individuals, all former classmates at Cambridge University, who helped make international development--the effort to reduce poverty and inequality around the world--into a juggernaut of the second half of the twentieth century. International development employed millions, affected billions, and spent trillions; it held the hopes of the former colonies to create an economic independence to match their newfound political one, and the plans of wealthy counties to build an enduring economic order.The six Apostles in this book include some of South Asia's best-known names, like Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen and long-serving Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as well as leading academics (Jagdish Bhagwati) and key policy-makers in both national and international circles. Taken together, this group both reflected and shaped the growing enterprise of international development from the time they left Cambridge in the mid-1950s well into the 2010s.For many years, the second half of the twentieth century was understood primarily through the lens of the Cold War. And yet, for the majority of the world, living in what was then called the Third World (and which is now called the Global South), development was a constant, while American-Soviet geopolitics only occasionally impinged upon their lives. And these six, as much as any other group, changed the way economists theorized development and aid officials practiced it. Their biographies, then, are the history of development.Based on newly available archival documents from 10 countries, and on interviews with four of the subjects, the widows of the other two, and almost 100 of their colleagues, friends, classmates, and rivals, this book combines riveting personal accounts with a sweeping history of one of the enduring human activities of the late 20th century and early 21st centuries: creating a more prosperous and equitable world. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda’s interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

Aditi Sahasrabuddhe is an Assistant Professor at Brown University, specializing in international finance and financial crises. In the discussion, she emphasizes the pivotal role of trust and personal relationships among central bankers in averting financial disasters. Highlighting historical crises, she reveals how interpersonal ties influenced decision-making when traditional economic models faltered. The conversation also challenges the apolitical view of central banking, showcasing how these unseen dynamics shape global financial stability.

Elizabeth Popp Berman, Director at the University of Michigan and author of "Thinking like an Economist," discusses how the dominance of efficiency over equality has shaped U.S. public policy. She explores the historical shift from progressive economic values to an efficiency-driven approach that began in the 1960s, influenced by military and technocratic reasoning. Berman also critiques the paradox of corporations promoting environmental initiatives while contributing to pollution, and she reflects on the impact of this economic thinking under the Biden administration.

Carl Rhodes, a Professor of Organization Studies at the University of Technology Sydney, dives into the myths surrounding billionaires in his critical work. He debunks the notions of the 'heroic' and 'generous billionaire', arguing that these narratives mask deeper systemic issues of inequality. Rhodes compares the political influence of billionaires in Australia and the U.S., highlighting Australia’s resilience. He warns of modern capitalism resembling feudalism and emphasizes the importance of democratic engagement amid the erosion of meaningful dialogue on social media.

In this conversation, Andrew Hartman, a history professor and author of "Karl Marx in America," explores the surprising influence of Marx's ideas on American society. He discusses how Marx's thoughts resonate from the Civil War to today, tracing their impact on labor movements and responses to inequality. Hartman highlights Marx’s unexpected connections with figures like Abraham Lincoln and assesses his relevance amid modern grassroots movements. The podcast delves into the complexities of Marxism’s journey from fringe to mainstream in contemporary America.