New Books in Economics

Sybil Derrible, a professor of urban engineering and director of the Complex and Sustainable Urban Networks Laboratory, delves into the unseen mechanics of city infrastructure. She explains how clean water, efficient waste management, and effective public transit are crucial yet often overlooked. Derrible shares insights from her global studies on urban mobility, the energy landscape for electric vehicles, and innovative waste management practices in Japan. Her engaging anecdotes and expert analysis challenge listeners to rethink how they view and interact with their urban environments.

Melinda Cooper, a sociology professor at the Australian National University, dives into the paradox of neoliberal public finance. She explores how austerity and extravagance coexist within fiscal policies, revealing the hidden subsidies benefiting financial asset holders. Cooper critiques the shift from Keynesianism to supply-side economics, highlighting the rise of a militant workforce in the 1970s that reshaped labor dynamics and safety nets. Her insights challenge traditional views on capitalism and unravel the complex political landscape of fiscal conservatism.

Paul Podolsky, a former strategist at a leading hedge fund and journalist, discusses financial realities in his work, "The Uncomfortable Truth About Money." He emphasizes the necessity of understanding the basics of money that impact life's major events, from birth to death. Podolsky shares insights on navigating the complexities of finance, the socio-economic impacts of technology like AI, and the importance of historical context in managing risk. Listeners gain a fresh perspective on money management and the psychological aspects of financial decision-making.

In this discussion, Tiho Ancev, a Professor in Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Sydney, tackles critical issues facing Southeast Asia's agriculture due to climate change. He emphasizes adaptive strategies for farmers, the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy, and effective water resource management. The conversation also highlights the importance of food safety and the willingness of consumers in Vietnam to pay more for safer food options. Ancev calls for robust policies to support farmers and ensure sustainable agricultural development.

Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University and expert on professional licensing, dives into the intricacies of labor regulation. She discusses how professional licensing can create significant economic barriers, often driven by conflicts of interest on licensing boards. The conversation critiques the balance between protecting public safety and hindering access to professions. Allensworth also touches on the failures of these boards, the impact on healthcare access, and the need for systemic reforms to improve accountability and consumer protection.

Michael Albertus, a political science professor at the University of Chicago and author of several influential books, discusses the profound impact of land ownership on societal structures. He illustrates how historical land reallocations have shaped inequality, oppression, and even environmental crises. Albertus highlights colonial histories, the dynamics of land power in different cultures, and how contemporary issues, like climate change, demand urgent reforms in land rights. Understanding these factors could redefine societal futures.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Arvid J. Lukauskas, a faculty member at Columbia University, and co-author of "Misery Beneath the Miracle in East Asia," unearth critical social issues underlying East Asia's economic success. They discuss the alarming rates of elderly poverty, systemic challenges for low-wage workers, and the stark realities of child welfare and housing crises in the region. The authors argue for a holistic approach to economic growth that prioritizes social welfare, shedding light on the hidden 'misery' in a seemingly prosperous landscape.

Yuca Meubrink, a researcher at the Berlin Brandenburg Academy, dives into the controversial 'poor doors' phenomenon in luxury housing. He critiques inclusionary housing policies, revealing how they often sustain urban inequality and gentrification. The discussion highlights the complexities of affordable housing initiatives in London and New York and their limited effectiveness. Meubrink also shares insights on research methods, exploring how everyday practices shape urban development, urging a deeper understanding of the nexus between housing affordability and architectural design.

As Wall Street swooned and boomed through the last decade, our livelihoods have—now more than ever—come to rely upon the good sense and risk appetites of a few standout investors. And amidst the BlackRocks, Vanguards, and Berkshire Hathaways stands arguably the most iconoclastic of them all: SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son.In Gambling Man: The Wild Ride of Japan’s Masayoshi Son (Atria, 2024), the first Western biography of Son, the self-professed unicorn hunter, we go behind the scenes of the world’s most monied halls of power in New York, Tokyo, Silicon Valley, Saudi Arabia, and beyond to see how Son’s firm SoftBank has defied conventional wisdom and imposing odds to push global tech and commerce into the future.From the dizzying highs of Uber, DoorDash, and Slack to the epic lows of WeWork and tech-infused dogwalking app Wag Son and SoftBank have been at the center of cutting-edge capitalism’s absolute peaks and valleys. In the process, Son, son of a pachinko kingpin who grew up in a slum in Japan, has been a hero, a villain, and even a meme-ified hero to the internet tech- and finance-bro set all at once.Based on in-depth research and eye-opening interviews, Gambling Man is an unforgettable character study and alarming true story of twenty-first-century commerce that will stick with you long after you turn the final page.Lionel Barber is the former editor of the Financial Times. As editor, he interviewed many of the world’s leaders in business and politics, including US Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Barber has co-written several books and has lectured widely on foreign policy, transatlantic relations, and economics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

In this engaging interview, young scholar Dr, Joel Z. Garrod explains his book's main argument, with a personal touch. In Royal Histories: The Transformation of the Royal Bank of Canada, 1864-2022 (U Toronto Press, 2025), Garrod presents a historical analysis of the Royal Bank of Canada, illustrating how Canadian capitalism and the Canadian banking industry have transformed as they have consolidated nationally and expanded abroad. Emphasizing how national institutions and rules are increasingly becoming capabilities for transnational forms of capital accumulation, the book draws on extensive primary and secondary sources to document the transformation of the assemblage of territory, authority, and rights that have supported the bank’s activities over time. Linking the bank’s history to the policy regimes of the welfare state and neoliberalism, Garrod contends that our present period of globalization severely limits the extent to which nation-states can absorb capitalist crises or be a site of successful social reform. Connecting the Canadian experience to the wider transformation of global capitalism, Royal Histories illuminates the effects of globalization and the changing landscape of banking and finance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics