New Books in Economics

Marshall Poe

Episodes

Mentioned books

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6 snips
Nov 29, 2025 • 55min

Isabelle Guérin et. al., "The Indebted Woman: Kinship, Sexuality, and Capitalism" (Stanford UP, 2023)

Isabelle Guérin, a Senior Research Fellow focused on gender and debt, explores the intersection of kinship, sexuality, and capitalism in her recent work. She discusses the gendered nature of debt, particularly how Dalit women in Tamil Nadu navigate a biased credit market. The podcast delves into the moral pressures surrounding debt repayment that affect women's identities and agency. Guérin reveals how women's bodies become viewed as collateral and highlights their active roles in sustaining families amidst economic constraints. This deep ethnographic study sheds light on the broader implications of women's debt in capitalist society.
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4 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 22min

Verena Halsmayer on Managing Growth in Miniature: Solow’s Model as an Artifact

Verena Halsmayer, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Vienna and a historian of economics, dives deep into the Solow growth model in her award-winning book. She discusses how economists transitioned post-WWII, emphasizing the importance of technology in growth. Halsmayer explores models as artifacts shaping policy and teaching, and the ambiguous nature that allows diverse political interpretations. The conversation highlights the intertwined histories of economics and science, along with her ongoing work on alternative participatory planning.
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Nov 24, 2025 • 55min

Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, "HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company" (HBR Press, 2017)

Royce Yudkoff, a Harvard management expert and former private equity co-founder, joins Richard S. Ruback, a corporate finance specialist. They explore the appeal of buying small businesses as a safer alternative to startups, emphasizing practical steps for success. Learn about the traits needed for entrepreneurial success, how to find businesses for sale, and the importance of thorough due diligence. They share insights on valuation norms and managing a newly acquired business, offering listeners a well-rounded guide to taking charge of their entrepreneurial journey.
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Nov 20, 2025 • 51min

Ivan Franceschini et al., "Scam: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds" (Verso Books, 2025)

Ling Li, a PhD researcher focused on modern slavery, and Ivan Franceschini, a lecturer in Chinese Studies, share insights into Southeast Asia's alarming online scam industry. They discuss the chilling realities of scam compounds, where victims are coerced into criminal roles, revealing complex victim profiles and the psychological burdens they face. Their research highlights the concept of 'compound capitalism' and the ethical challenges in victim support. They propose an ASEAN-wide victim identification protocol and call for societal changes to prevent exploitation.
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Nov 19, 2025 • 57min

Christina Jerne, "Opposition by Imitation: The Economics of Italian Anti-Mafia Activism" (U Minnesota Press, 2025)

Christina Jerne, an associate professor specializing in economic sociology, dives into the unique world of Italian anti-mafia activism. Her research reveals how ordinary citizens are challenging mafia control by creating alternative economies and using business tactics for social change. She highlights the historical roots of activism, the impact of high-profile assassinations in the '90s, and innovative approaches like critical tourism. Jerne emphasizes the power of mimetic opposition, urging listeners to reflect on their roles in oppressive systems and consider transformative actions.
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Nov 19, 2025 • 54min

Carl Benedikt Frey, "How Progress Ends: Technology, Innovation, and the Fate of Nations" (Princeton UP, 2025)

Carl Benedikt Frey, Dieter Schwarz Associate Professor at the Oxford Internet Institute, challenges the idea of inevitable progress in his new book. He delves into how history has shown technological advancement can lead to stagnation and failure. Frey discusses why some nations, like the Soviet Union, collapsed despite earlier successes. He emphasizes the interplay between decentralization, bureaucracy, and innovation. Moreover, he warns that both the U.S. and China risk stagnation unless diverse approaches to AI and competitiveness are maintained.
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12 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 54min

Vanessa S. Williamson, "The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History" (Basic Books, 2025)

Vanessa S. Williamson, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of "The Price of Democracy", explores the often-overlooked relationship between taxes and American democracy. She reveals how pivotal events like the Boston Tea Party were driven by opposition to corporate tax breaks rather than high taxes. Williamson discusses how taxation reflects deeper societal conflicts, from Reconstruction's ambitions for equality to the modern anti-tax movement, highlighting the continued fight for fiscal fairness as a weapon for true democracy.
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Nov 17, 2025 • 29min

Thomas Piketty, "A Brief History of Equality" (Harvard UP, 2022)

Thomas Piketty, a prominent economist and author, dives into his latest work, A Brief History of Equality. He explores the historical arc of inequality, arguing that humanity has gradually moved toward greater equality despite setbacks like colonialism and slavery. Piketty discusses the importance of combining universal policies with reparations for historical injustices, emphasizing that political struggle drives this progress. He champions the need for deep, thoughtful engagement with economic history to inspire lasting change and fight against injustice.
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Nov 16, 2025 • 1h 1min

Joe Allen, "The Package King: A Rank and File History of UPS" (Haymarket Books, 2020)

Joe Allen, author of 'The Package King,' is a former UPS worker and labor activist who digs into the company’s historical evolution from a bicycle messenger service to a logistics titan. He explores the intense work culture at UPS, revealing how a faux-military environment leads to productivity pressure and workplace injuries. Allen discusses pivotal moments in labor history, including the militant spirit of Teamsters Local 804 and the impact of civil rights on hiring practices. He also contrasts UPS’s polished public image with the harsh realities faced by its workers.
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7 snips
Nov 15, 2025 • 54min

Richard H. Thaler and Alex Imas, "The Winner's Curse: Behavioral Economics Anomalies, Then and Now" (Simon and Schuster, 2025)

In this discussion, Alex Imas, a leading figure in behavioral economics from the University of Chicago, explores the nuances of his co-authored book, The Winner's Curse. He defines behavioral economics, emphasizing how real behavior often strays from rational models. The conversation dives into the persistence of biases among professionals in high-stakes situations and examines mechanisms behind the winner's curse through intriguing examples. Alex also shares insights on teaching behavioral concepts effectively and discusses current research trends in the field.

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