Capitalisn't

University of Chicago Podcast Network

We investigate how capitalism is—or more often isn’t—working in our world today.

Hosted by economist Luigi Zingales and business journalist Bethany McLean, our podcast explains why capitalism can go wrong and what we can do to fix it.

Send us your questions or comments by emailing capitalisntpod@gmail.com

Cover photo attributions: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/research/stigler/about/capitalisnt.

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247 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes247

Newest first

Aug 1, 2019 · 40 min
Universal Basic Income: Why and How?
If you've been paying attention to Andrew Yang's Democratic presidential campaign, you're probably familiar with the concept of universal basic income. On this episode, Kate and Luigi give the economic outlook on how a UBI might work, or not work, and investigate how automation and techno-anxiety are driving the conversation.
Jul 18, 2019 · 37 min
The Student Debt Crisis: There's No Such Thing As A Free College
With Democratic presidential candidates making the student debt crisis one of the central issues of the 2020 race, Kate and Luigi give an in-depth economics look at the ideas of free college tuition and debt forgiveness, explain the history of how we got to into this student debt crisis, and debate some solutions for how to get out of it.
Jul 4, 2019 · 34 min
The Mickey Mouse Monopoly Club
Last episode, Kate and Luigi discussed how the patent system creates a temporary monopoly designed to make the incentives to innovate. But the real question is does the patent system, and our entire system of intellectual property for that matter, actually accomplish that goal? We start to answer that question by investigating one of the most powerful figures in intellectual property...Mickey Mouse.
Jun 20, 2019 · 33 min
Luigi Submits A Patent
After our series about the dangers of monopolies, we're going to investigate a situation in which the government actually works to create monopolies on purpose: the patent system. On the first of two episodes, Luigi and Kate examine whether our current patent system is helping or hurting capitalism.
Jun 6, 2019 · 34 min
Regulating Facebook and Google Pt 3: Tyler Cowen Rebuttals
In part three of our series investigating how digital platforms like Facebook and Google should be regulated, Tyler Cowen from George Mason University argues to Kate and Luigi that more regulation may not be the answer to all our questions about digital platforms.
May 23, 2019 · 34 min
Regulating Facebook and Google Pt 2: Politics
In part two of our series investigating how digital platforms like Facebook and Google should be regulated, Kate and Luigi dissect the ways these companies interact with our political system by speaking with Nolan McCarty, Susan Dod Brown Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University.
May 9, 2019 · 39 min
Regulating Facebook and Google Pt 1: Markets
As digital platforms like Facebook and Google become globally powerful, some countries are investigating and even proposing legislation to regulate these companies. Building off a conference happening at the Stigler Center at the University of Chicago, Kate and Luigi speak with Fiona Scott Morton, a Professor of Economics at Yale, to interrogate these platforms from a traditional market structure perspective.
Apr 25, 2019 · 34 min
The Morality or Immorality of A Wealth Tax
With Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren proposing wealth taxes, Kate and Luigi break down how these taxes have or haven't worked in other countries and whether they could work in America.
Apr 11, 2019 · 39 min
The Ups and Downs of IPOs
There’s an acronym you’ve probably heard in the news a lot lately: IPO. With companies like Pinterest, Airbnb and UBER all considering going public this year, Kate and Luigi break down why these companies already have huge valuations, and whether rich people have an unfair advantage when it comes to investing.
Mar 28, 2019 · 33 min
Codetermination: A Seat At The Table
Last year Elizabeth Warren proposed the controversial Accountable Capitalism Act. One of its most talked about proposals was focused on "codetermination." Kate & Luigi explain how it works, its effectiveness and examine one country that's been trying it out since the 1950s.
Mar 14, 2019 · 27 min
Is Global Antitrust Off the Rails?
In the wake of a blocked merger between the German and French rail giants Siemens and Alstom, Kate & Luigi debate the role of global antitrust regulators. How do they protect consumers while also helping domestic companies compete with state-supported rivals from China?
Feb 28, 2019 · 34 min
Millennial Socialists
Are millennials giving up on capitalism? A recent survey found a majority now prefer socialism. Luigi gets the scoop from our resident millennial, Kate, who says most simply want European-style social welfare, student-loan debt relief and campaign finance reform. Is that really so radical?
Feb 14, 2019 · 30 min
Pollution Pt 2: Contaminated Research
In our second episode on pollution, investigative journalist Carey Gillam joins Kate and Luigi to discuss her new book "Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science." Gillam reveals how pesticide companies secretly influence scientific research and avoid EPA regulations.
Jan 31, 2019 · 31 min
Pollution Pt 1: The Sticky Side of Teflon
In the first of a two-part series on pollution, Kate and Luigi discuss the health hazards and economic costs of air pollution and contaminated drinking water from the toxic chemical PFOA (C8) found in Teflon. How did DuPont skirt regulation and avoid corporate responsibility for so long?
Jan 17, 2019 · 29 min
Warrenomics
As Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) jumps into the 2020 Presidential race, Kate and Luigi examine her legislative record and economic policy proposals, including several bold ideas to reform American capitalism.
Jan 3, 2019 · 34 min
Why Capitalism Needs Journalism
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steven Pearlstein drops by to talk about the incredible shrinking newspaper -- especially the business section -- and why that's bad for the economy. His new book "Can American Capitalism Survive?" argues that the mantra of 'maximizing shareholder value' ultimately caused Americans to lose faith in the free market.
Dec 20, 2018 · 33 min
The Financial Assassin
Fahmi Quadir thinks short sellers get a bad rap. Known as the "financial assassin" for helping expose fraud and misconduct at Valeant, she tells Luigi that Tesla might be next. But Kate isn't convinced -- she thinks journalists and regulators are the real heroes.
Dec 6, 2018 · 28 min
Global Inequality Pt 2: Divergence
In the second of a two-part look at global inequality Kate & Luigi talk about the downside of globalization. A listener's email sparks a conversation about what's driving the growing wage gap within the U.S. We survey the latest research on the lingering effects of the 'China Shock' and debate how to reverse the trend before the people revolt.
Nov 22, 2018 · 29 min
Global Inequality Pt 1: Convergence
In the first of a two-part look at global inequality Kate & Luigi talk about the upside of globalization -- a decrease in income inequality between countries over the last few decades. How much of this can be attributed to China, and what was the secret to their success?
Nov 8, 2018 · 32 min
The People Vs. Democracy
Yascha Mounk talks with Kate & Luigi about his new book "The People Vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It." Recorded in front of a live audience, the conversation touches on recent populist uprisings and the extent to which they threaten liberal democracy.

Capitalisn't

Universal Basic Income: Why and How?

The Student Debt Crisis: There's No Such Thing As A Free College

The Mickey Mouse Monopoly Club

Luigi Submits A Patent

Regulating Facebook and Google Pt 3: Tyler Cowen Rebuttals

Regulating Facebook and Google Pt 2: Politics

Regulating Facebook and Google Pt 1: Markets

The Morality or Immorality of A Wealth Tax

The Ups and Downs of IPOs

Codetermination: A Seat At The Table

Is Global Antitrust Off the Rails?

Millennial Socialists

Pollution Pt 2: Contaminated Research

Pollution Pt 1: The Sticky Side of Teflon

Warrenomics

Why Capitalism Needs Journalism

The Financial Assassin

Global Inequality Pt 2: Divergence

Global Inequality Pt 1: Convergence

The People Vs. Democracy