The David McWilliams Podcast
David McWilliams & John Davis
The aim of this weekly podcast is to make economics easy, uncomplicated and accessible. With the world at a political, technological and financial tipping point, economics has never been so important to all of us and yet, it’s made inaccessible and complicated by so many.I’ve always thought what is complicated is rarely important and what is important is rarely complicated.That will be our motto.Every week we are going to tease out some big economic or political issue facing us, not just here in Ireland but in Europe and further afield. Globalisation has brought us all together. We all face similar challenges whether you live in Dublin, London, Minnesota or Milan.If you would like to enjoy all of our content ad-free and have early access to episodes, subscribe to DMCW+ on Apple Podcast.If you would like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/DavidMcWilliams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 25, 2022 • 46min
Weedenomics
The war on drugs has failed and the public perception of marijuana is changing rapidly, here's some numbers that underscore why legalization is long overdue! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
5 snips
Aug 23, 2022 • 46min
Financing a Revolution: The economics of Michael Collins
New countries start with no money. The departing colonists take everything with them, including capital. Like all former colonies, the New Ireland had no money. Micheal Collins, revolutionary leader and Minister of Finance, as well as head of the army, laid out a plan. From crowd-funding the 1916-1921 revolution, to setting up a national bank and a new national insurance company, designed to stop capital flowing to London, from marketing Ireland abroad, to rejecting state socialism and focusing on investment both national and foreign, Collins' economic vision for Ireland was the direct opposite to either the conservatism of the first 1920s governments or twisted radicalism of De Valera. What might have been - had he not been assassinated at 31, 100 years ago this week. Here’s his incredible story and how money & economics played a pivotal role in it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 18, 2022 • 37min
The Economics of Music
Today an Irish artist needs to get around 4000 streams an hour or about 300,000 per month to earn the minimum wage which we know is far below what is needed to pay the rent. How can someone survive trying to be a musician? Today we explore the "new" economics of music, what is the financial reality for young and not so young musicians, the history of the music industry and why the economic of our old friend Joseph Schumpeter is behind it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 16, 2022 • 35min
Why the housing crisis can undo 30 years of economic growth
All over the world rent prices are skyrocketing and bringing unbearable pressure on the young and the most vulnerable. let’s talk about how this comes about and what can be done to fix it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 12, 2022 • 30min
How behavioural economics and personalization shapes your life
In partnership with Liberty Insurance, we bring you: Nudges, choices and personalization - today's episode is all about the countless small decisions we make everyday and how those choices are being influenced in new & various ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 11, 2022 • 28min
The Return of Malthus?
Droughts in Europe, resource-wars and global warming got us thinking about Thomas Malthus and his observations about population. Can we square the world's finite resources with the demands of 7 billion wannabe consumers? We talk positive checks, why hunter gathers were taller and ate better than the first farmers, plus the big Malthusian warning from the past, the Irish Famine. In the past two hundred years ,the world prized itself free of the Malthusian Trap via technology; could we be about to fall back into the grip of Malthus? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 9, 2022 • 38min
Taiwan and the Global Economy (With Angelica Oung)
Taiwan was all over the news this week. We explore why this small island will be the most sensitive geo-strategic location for the coming showdown between the USA and China. The global economy can survive a conflict with Russia, with China all bets are off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 4, 2022 • 37min
Is Putin winning?
The War in Ukraine is entering its 6th month, many predicted it wouldn't last 6 days. As time drags on and Russia's energy strategy begins to pay off, can the West remain united? What does phase 2 of the war look like - and who is the most likely winner? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
4 snips
Aug 2, 2022 • 37min
Why Manufacturing Matters
Ireland is a manufacturing powerhouse, producing half as much as the UK per year, despite having a population that is 13 times smaller. With 1% of EU's population, Ireland produces 5% of total EU industrial output. 30 years ago, Ireland had practically no manufacturing base to speak of. How was this transformation achieved? Can it be sustained? Can a strong manufacturing base explain a countries political and social outlook and what else can developed from manufacturing prowess? If Ireland can build a manufacturing base from scratch, can other countries follow suit? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 28, 2022 • 30min
Why the Italian government crumbled
Draghi is out and the Italian government is heading for yet another election - what is happening with this country that seems to be in constant political turmoil? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
