Podcast
Marginal Babble
Hosted by Max Dorey · EN
Home of the Marginal Babble Podcast, hosted by Maxwell Dorey. Max takes Economists, Scientists, Businessmen and more, on an exploratory journey of their work and fields. We hope you enjoy the show, or at least don't burst your bubble...
Youtube: @maxwelldorey
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Unexpected Reality of Small Economies | Marginal Babble Ep.36 with Professor Robert Read
1w ago01:27:54Tap to summarizeSmall economies often defy expectations, thriving despite limited resources and geographic challenges. This episode explores their surprising resilience and unique strategies, revealing lessons that could transform larger nations' approaches to growth. Discover how globalization, digital trade, and strategic specialization propel these nations to success, and learn about their governance agility and stability. Despite facing global shocks, many small economies have shown remarkable resilience. Join us for insights from development economist Robert Read, as we uncover the real drivers of economic success and the future of small nations. Professor Robert Read:https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/people/robert-read “Growth volatility and resilience in small economies: The impacts of the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic”:https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781032703893-5/growth-volatility-resilience-small-economies-harvey-armstrong-robert-read Timestamps:00:00: Intro00:39: Why Study Small Economies?08:06: What is a Small Economy?14:29: Robert’s Research26:18: Why Have Small Economies Been Successful?35:50: Are Natural Resources a Curse?43:57: Why Have Large Economies Done Badly?49:50: Economic Policy & Money in Small Economies59:42: Strong Small Economies During Financial Crisis01:05:34: Lessons for Small Economies01:14:52: Climate Change Impacts on Small Economies01:17:15: Future Research on Small Economies & Takeaways Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →Can Political Quotas Improve Governance? | Marginal Babble Ep.35 with Professor Patrick Francois
3w ago01:03:15Tap to summarizeMost countries focus on the political virtues of representation, but what if quotas actually change the quality of governance? I sit down with Professor Patrick Francois to uncover how strategic use of political quotas, especially in India, can break the grip of identity-driven politics and elevate governance standards. As ever, please like and subscribe if you enjoy! 😊 Professor Patrick Francois:https://economics.ubc.ca/profile/patrick-francois/ ‘Reservations and the politics of fear’:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0047272723001457 Timestamps:00:00: Intro00:42: What are Political Quotas?02:42: Political Quotas in India08:25: Are Political Quotas D.E.I?13:50: How Common are Political Quotas?16:57: Political Quotas & Socialism23:37: Patrick’s Research & the ‘Politics of Fear’32:48: How Political Quotas Improve Governance37:08: Are Political Quotas Needed in Strong Liberal Democracies?44:03: How Do You Measure Governance Quality?51:34: Are Political Quotas Pragmatic to Implement?58:17: Future Research to Build Upon Patrick’s Findings Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →Understanding Environmental Economics | Marginal Babble Ep.34 with Professor Nicholas Hanley
Apr 2200:53:31Tap to summarize#environmentalecnomics #carbontaxes #environment #climatechangeMax sits down with Professor Nicholas Hanley to learn about the field of environmental economics, its goals and the challenges of measuring environmental impacts from economic activities. They discover how effective policy is designed for promoting positive environmental actions while managing negative externalities, in addition to the common mechanisms governments implement to meet these objectives.Professor Nick Hanley:https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/staff/nicholashanley/ Environmental economics in theory and practice:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmental-Economics-Practice-Nick-Hanley/dp/033397137X/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=eSt37&content-id=amzn1.sym.f9a1288a-66fe-4587-95f9-1387021c317b&pf_rd_p=f9a1288a-66fe-4587-95f9-1387021c317b&pf_rd_r=262-2263400-8564258&pd_rd_wg=XTeJ4&pd_rd_r=e1c917de-3283-492d-a6cc-6af32f222b23 Timestamps:00:00: Intro00:43: What Are the Goals of Environmental Economics06:32: Types of Environmental Economics Policy10:06: Tradeable Permit Schemes23:36: Carbon & Other Environmental Taxes29:51: How to Design Environmental Policies with the Right Incentives39:24: How Behavioural Economics Factors into Environmental Economics47:29: Biggest Changes in Environmental Economics in Nick’s Career Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →Consequences of the Opioid Epidemic | Marginal Babble Ep.33 with Professor Carolina Arteaga Cabrales
Apr 1501:03:11Tap to summarize#opioidepidemic #pharmaceuticalindustry #addiction #publichealth #USpolitics #PurduePharma #fentanyl #drugpolicy #healthcarecorruption #politicalinfluence Max and Professor Carolina Arteaga Cabrales explore the origins, impact, and political consequences of the opioid epidemic in North America, related pharmaceutical industry practices, regulatory failures and societal effects. Professor Carolina Arteaga Cabrales:https://www.carolinaarteaga.com/ ‘Republican Support and Economic Hardship: The Enduring Effects of the Opioid Epidemic’:https://www.nber.org/papers/w33904 Timestamps:00:00: Intro00:37: The Opioid Epidemic & How it Occurred15:53: Purdue Pharma Lawsuit17:46: Carolina’s Research32:15: Political Effects of the Opioid Epidemic40:39: Decriminalisation of Drug Programmes46:37: Would Other Health Shocks Cause the Same Effects?51:03: Did Republican’s Campaign on the Opioid Epidemic?54:52: Future Impacts of the Opioid Epidemic57:40: Future Research Carolina Would Like to See Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →The Economic History of India | Marginal Babble Ep.32 with Professor Tirthankar Roy
Mar 1801:10:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Max and Professor Tirthankar Roy discuss India's economic history, focusing on trade and commerce from antiquity right up to the modern day. It is a journey through regional economies, the role of ports, the impact of the caste system, British colonization and post-independence industrialization. India in the World Economy: From Antiquity to the PresentCambridge University Press: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/india-in-the-world-economy/9079E07A2697FB6A122BEBFE3CC6FA13Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/India-World-Economy-Antiquity-Approaches/dp/110740147X Professor Tirthankar Royhttps://www.lse.ac.uk/people/tirthankar-roy Timestamps00:00: Intro00:39: India’s Economy (Antiquity to 1200)12:04: Sources for Indian Economic History15:46: An Agricultural Economy20:28: Climate/Droughts25:50: Caste Economics32:11: Mughal Empires (1200 to 1600)36:26: European Settlements/Traders (1600 to 1800)41:59: The British Raj53:08: Indian Socialism (1940’s to 1990’s)59:04: Religion & Commerce01:05:25: Future of the Indian Economy SocialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →Did AUSTERITY Cause BREXIT? | Marginal Babble Ep.31 with Professor Thiemo Fetzer
Mar 1201:33:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Professor Thiemo Fetzer dissects how austerity policies since 2008 have reshaped society, fueled distrust in public institutions and sparked political upheaval (ultimately resulting in its influence over the EU referendum). He reveals surprising insights regarding how structural transformations, immigration incentives, and age demographics influence national identity and support for populist movements. Professor Thiemo Fetzer https://www.trfetzer.com/ Did austerity cause Brexit? https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.20181164 Timestamps 00:00: Intro 00:39: Did Austerity Cause BREXIT? 19:09: Effects of the 2008 Financial Crisis 29:25: Implementation of Austerity (UK) 35:33: Thiemo’s Research Paper 44:35: How Benefits Recipients Affect the Economy 48:37: How the High Street Changed/Regional Identities 53:35: Regional Wealth Inequality in the United Kingdom 56:14: What Were the Alternatives to Austerity? 01:08:17: Effects of Ageing Demographics & Generous Pensions 01:24:26: What Don’t We Understand About Austerity & BREXIT? Socials TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabble Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/ X: https://x.com/marginalbabble Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/ Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →Encouraging Female Entrepreneurship in Pakistan | Marginal Babble Ep.30 with Professor Ahmad Timsal
Mar 400:57:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dive into the Sujaan Initiative, a community-focused program that trains and supports female and minority entrepreneurs in Mirpur Khās, Pakistan. The discussion covers how working with local male leaders fosters local buy-in, the gender and regional disparities the project tackles and the financing and governance hurdles to scaling the model across more regions. Professor Ahmad Timsal:https://www.derby.ac.uk/staff/ahmad-timsal/ ‘Sujaan: a social enterprise of socio-economically disadvantaged women in rural Sindh, Pakistan’:https://derby-repository.worktribe.com/output/735857/sujaan-a-social-enterprise-of-socio-economically-disadvantaged-women-in-rural-sindh-pakistan Timestamps00:00: Intro00:49: The Sindh Region (Pakistan)08:45: The Sujaan Project14:33: Ahmad’s Motivation for the Research17:59: Gender Disparities in Pakistan23:20: Getting Community Buy In31:44: Is There Support for Sujaan?36:28: Sindh’s Feudal Mindset45:32: How Sujaan is Providing Support50:46: The Effects of Sujaan on the Region54:15: What’s Next? SocialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →How War Affects the Economy | Marginal Babble Ep.29 with Professor Clifford Thies
Feb 2500:50:51Tap to summarizeDiscover how war reshapes economies beyond the battlefield. Economist Clifford Thies reveals the hidden costs of conflict, from GDP distortions to social capital destruction. Learn why some nations recover faster and how institutional strength and financial strategies play a crucial role. Essential insights for anyone interested in the true economic impact of war. Professor Clifford Thieshttps://www.su.edu/faculty-staff/faculty/clifford-f-thies/‘The Effect of War on Economic Growth’:https://www.cato.org/cato-journal/winter-2020/effect-war-economic-growth#Timestamps00:00: Intro00:41: What Happens to an Economy When War Breaks Out?01:24: Clifford’s Research (Defining ‘War’)04:23: How to Finance War07:22: Clifford’s Research (What Data was Used?)14:08: Post War Recovery (Strength of Pre-War Institutions)20:31: Poor Post-War Recoveries (Examples)24:22: Democratic VS Command Economies (India VS China)29:12: Are Trade Sanctions Effective? (In War or Peace)38:42: The Peace Dividend43:35: Key Takeaway from Clifford’s & Other Research46:57: What Will Russia’s Post-War Economy Look Like? SocialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →History of the Russian Economy | Marginal Babble Ep.28 with Professor Richard Ericson
Feb 1101:18:51Tap to summarizeExplore the intricate evolution of Russia's economy, from Tsarist infrastructure to Soviet command systems to Russia’s modern-day challenges. Economist Richard Ericson delves into the sustainability of Russia's resource-driven growth, the impact of geopolitical tensions, and the looming risks of its current economic model. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the forces shaping one of the world's most consequential nations, perfect for those interested in geopolitics and economic resilience. Professor Richard Ericson:https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UOLZdsYAAAAJ&hl=en “The Classical Soviet-Type Economy: Nature of the System and Implications for Reform”:https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.5.4.11 Timestamps:00:00: Intro00:41: Context for the Russian Economy of Today02:29: Soviet Era Economics14:36: Structure of the Soviet System18:21: Soviet Economy: Comparisons to Other Economies25:05: Imperial (Tsarist) Russian Economy30:17: Transition to Communism38:26: What People Misunderstand About the Soviet Union41:48: Collapse of the Soviet Union48:50: The Modern Russian Economy56:35: Russian Economy too Resource Dependent?59:30: Wartime Economy (Ukraine War)01:10:30: The Future of the Russian Economy01:16:24: Richard’s Final Thoughts Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
Transcribe →Impact of Chinese Imports on Indian Industry | Marginal Babble Ep.27 with Dr Pavel Chakraborty
Feb 401:00:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore the impact of trade openness on India's economy with economist Pavel Chakraborty. Discover how Chinese imports have lowered prices but challenged Indian firms' profits. Learn about the effects of tariffs, the role of India's manufacturing sector, and the strategic implications for future growth. Perfect for those interested in trade policy and economic development Professor Pavel Chakrabortyhttps://pavelchakraborty.weebly.com/ ‘Chinese Import Competition and Prices: Evidence from India’:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/obes.12632 Timestamps 00:00: Intro00:41: India’s Manufacturing Sector06:16: Why Has China Dominated Global Manufacturing Instead of India?14:50: India’s Trade Openness18:00: Tariff Rates (Developed VS Developing Economies)22:03: Effects of Cheap Chinese Imports on India Manufacturing34:38: Effects of Cheap Chinese Imports on the Wider Indian Economy39:40: Why ‘Stand Alone Firms’ Responded Stronger than Other Firms42:35: The Impact on Other Asian Countries46:42: Changing Global Tarriff Policies49:28: Future of Indian Trade Policy57:02: What Future Research Needs Conducting? Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginalbabbleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginalbabble/X: https://x.com/marginalbabbleBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marginalbabble.bsky.social/Website: https://marginalbabble.co.uk/
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