Ashwin D'Costa’s Post

We Talk Books – “The military-industrial complex as a variety of capitalism and threat to democracy” In this episode, Jamie and Tom will be discussing the white paper titled "The Military-Industrial Complex as a Variety of Capitalism and Threat to Democracy: Rethinking the Political Economy of Guns Versus Butter", published in 2024. This document, written by economist Thomas Palley from the Post-Keynesian Economics school, is a robust and scathing critique of the American military-industrial complex (MIC) and its impact on capitalism and democracy. The paper is structured into 3 phases. The first part analyzes the MIC from an economic perspective, using standard macroeconomic and microeconomic tools and concepts to explore the political dynamics underpinning it. The second part focuses on the notion of demand for military services, arguing that the MIC manipulates the perception of threats and security needs to increase demand for military services and warfare. The final section posits that the MIC represents a form of capitalism that threatens democracy. Palley highlights the influence of the MIC on contemporary capitalism, noting its role in distorting resource allocation toward military spending, manipulating technological innovation, and shaping perceptions of international relations. The document also examines the link between the MIC and rising militarism and fascism, arguing that the emphasis on militarism and violence poses significant dangers to freedom and democracy. Jamie and Tom will explore these critical points, shedding light on Palley’s warning about the growing influence of the MIC and its implications for the future of democratic governance and economic stability. Podcast : https://lnkd.in/eN2WVdAJ   Download the paper here: https://lnkd.in/ejJumCDh Powerded by NotebookLM

Interesting podcasts with carefully delivered messages on how beneficial R&D funding and taxation is to society. - huge gap between measured impact of R&D on society and the perceived use of it by decision makers - "25 per cent of total factor productivity growth in the US economy since 1970 is probably attributable to changes in federally funded R&D" - but hard to know what it is the best way to fund research along the chain from theoretical to applied (lack of evidence because of lack of cooperation between economists and science agencies) This is for the US, that fares much better on R&D spending (3.4% of GDP) than the EU (2.3%). Of course, R&D benefits are not only about GDP growth, but can include well being depending on what we want to fund. The point of the podcast is how efficient public R&D spending and private taxation is to steer societal change. https://lnkd.in/e-_itN47

"English life expectancy at birth was on average a miserable 37 years between 1540 and 1800; and the figure for London was in the twenties." ... If you'd gone from London to Nanjing, "you'd have been blown away by the sophistication of Ming China. Bigger, cleaner, better built on almost every obvious metric, superior..." "... You certainly wouldn't have felt, if you'd been able to travel on to Central or South America, that there was some enormous civilizational gap between Northwestern Europe and those regions." So, what accounts for the rise of the West? And what's the outlook for America and the West - is it decline? Renowned historian Harvard's Belfer Center The Hoover Institution, Stanford University Niall Ferguson joins this week's 3 Takeaways and shares on the rise and decline of civilizations and the prognosis for America and the West. This convo is so important! Niall's wonderful book Civilization: https://amzn.to/3wV6oC6 Niall on 3 Takeaways podcast: https://lnkd.in/ebcDZwB3

Hello, and 'trust you are doing very well. You are welcome to another episode of this very expository, and highly informative Armourgate Radio Communications program titled, "Policy Formulation and Economic Development" with Economic analyst and expert, Dr. Titilola Ogunsona. It's a joy and delight to have you here. Join Dr. Titilola Ogunsona today on Mixlr by 5:00pm WAT/ 12:00pm ET via https://lnkd.in/dgbXG6uJ as she discusses, in details, the processes of Public Policy formulation. On today's episode, we will delve into the critical topic of policy formulation and its impact on economic development, with a specific focus on Event/Change analysis. The discussion will center on understanding how to deploy appropriate tools to identify and adequately assess specific problems in the economy, in order to formulate right public policy to effectively address these challenges. Furthermore, the program will unravel factors influencing the identification of Policy challenges - crucial at the initial phase - for formulating effective policies that, directly, impact economic development. Today's session features insights from policy experts, economists, and industry professionals, as we provide practical perspectives on the process of change analysis within policy formulation. Tune in to this insightful broadcast, to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between policy formulation, change analysis, and economic development. By examining the complexities of policy adjustments, we aim to shed light on how informed decision-making can drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Join us, as we delve into the critical intersection of policy formulation and economic development, through the lens of change analysis. We look forward to having you!

We Talk Books – “Masters of the Universe: Hayek, Friedman, and the Birth of Neoliberal Politics » This episode focuses on the book "Masters of the Universe - Hayek, Friedman, and the Birth of Neoliberal Politics" written by Daniel Stedman Jones. This captivating work explores the rise of neoliberalism as a political and economic ideology after World War II. The book highlights the key figures of the movement, including Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, and Ludwig von Mises, and examines how their ideas were spread through a transatlantic network of think tanks, academics, journalists, and politicians. The book sheds light on how neoliberal ideas, which advocate for individual freedom, free markets, deregulation, and a minimal state, gained prominence, especially from the 1970s onwards, in response to economic crises and the dominance of Keynesianism. It analyzes the impact of neoliberalism on economic and social policies in the United States and Britain, emphasizing the influence of neoliberal thinkers on the administrations of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. For decades, Neoliberalism has been the dominant orthodoxy, shaping economic policies across the globe, particularly with globalization and the rise of financial markets. However, since the global financial crisis of 2008, neoliberalism has faced heavy criticism for its impact on economic inequalities, financial instability, and the erosion of public services. Many experts, economists, and politicians have begun to question this model, calling for a return to stronger state intervention and increased regulation of financial markets. Today, while neoliberal ideas remain influential, particularly in certain financial and economic sectors, they are increasingly being challenged... Podcast : https://lnkd.in/ezx6CBjq Powerded by NotebookLM

📣 Exciting Announcement 📣 Talking Theory Issue 06 is out now!!🎉 💡What is Talking Theory? Talking Theory is a student-driven newsletter, delivering intellectually stimulating content on a weekly basis. Our objective is to provide the readers of the University of Birmingham Economics Society with an informative, yet highly accessible, report. 🤝A message from the Head of Talking Theory: "This week's edition features gripping articles - as analyst Oliver assesses the potential impact of President-elect Trump’s tariff policy on US-UK Trade, and on transatlantic relations overall! Also included is an explanation and analysis of sustainable and green bonds! Please enjoy and share!" - Alex Woodford, Co-Head of Talking Theory Listen to our sponsor, Money Maze Podcast: https://lnkd.in/e6MfHCcq https://lnkd.in/enpv9CYM https://lnkd.in/e74VbbBW ⚠️Please utilise Accessibility Mode for the highest image quality⚠️ #TalkingTheory #Economics #InternationalRelations #Trump #Sustainability

Check out my newest article published this week in Talking Theory. I adress the future of US-UK trade following the recent presidential elections.

The economy seems to be a hot topic these days, so we decided to revisit a podcast we did with economist Tim Snyder of Matador Economics, where he shares some valuable economic insights. #economy #insights https://lnkd.in/g8yZMj8c

We’re thrilled to announce that our Chief Economist, Dr. Bryan Taylor, is the featured guest on the latest episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast! With his unmatched expertise in economic history and long-term market data, Dr. Taylor dives deep into: • The powerful role of historical data in today’s financial decisions • Key market trends uncovered through centuries of records • Why a long-term perspective is crucial for smarter investment strategies If you’re ready to take your investment knowledge to the next level and see how history can unlock smarter financial choices, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gpTuEGT8   #FinancePodcast #HistoricalData #MarketTrends #Investing #GlobalFinancialData #RationalReminder

We have a new podcast at Adam Smith's Panmure House. Considering the heritage of the house and our ambitions for the present, we are calling it New Enlightenment. Please consider adding it to your podcast listening routine, for compelling conversations with leading minds about politics, economics, philosophy, and technology. In our first episode, I sit down with economist and noted inequality researcher Branko Milanovic to discuss the influence of classical political economists like Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and David Ricardo, along with his latest book Visions of Inequality. He shares his formative experiences studying income distribution in socialist Yugoslavia, the ideological reluctance to discuss income inequality, the relevance of classical political economists in understanding income distribution today (particularly in relation to the return of class), and the challenges of speculating on future developments such as AI and the politics of global elites. Our conversation concludes with a discussion on Adam Smith's perspective on globalisation and the future developments and geopolitical competition that may shape the world. https://lnkd.in/eTThJJMR