New Books in Economics

Edward Berenson, a history professor at NYU and author of 'Perfect Communities,' dives into the life of William Levitt, the man behind modern suburbia. He discusses how Levittown emerged as a solution to post-WWII housing shortages, offering affordable homes that shaped the American Dream. However, Levitt's legacy is marred by exclusionary practices that reinforced racial segregation. Berenson reflects on how these developments not only influenced housing trends locally but also had lasting global implications, revealing the complexity of suburbia's history.

Paul Rice, founder of Fair Trade USA and expert in conscious capitalism, discusses the transformative power of ethical consumerism. He highlights how our purchasing choices can change lives and promote sustainability. Rice shares personal anecdotes and the journey of farmers benefiting from fair trade practices, emphasizing 'trade, not aid.' The conversation also tackles the complexities of engaging corporations in fair trade and the balance of sustainability with affordability. Tune in to uncover how fair trade can reshape global commerce for the better!

Vijay Selvam, a corporate lawyer and financial services expert, shares insights from his book on Bitcoin’s revolutionary potential. He discusses Bitcoin's multifaceted nature and its implications for technology, economics, and politics. Selvam highlights Bitcoin's role in challenging traditional monetary systems, advocating for understanding its long-term value despite short-term volatility. He also examines its capacity to empower individuals and provide solutions for the unbanked, positioning Bitcoin as a transformative alternative in the financial landscape.

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.

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.

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.

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.