Faith and Economics

How should we pray? Peter leads a thoughtful discussion about the importance of prayer, and in particular the virtues of the different forms' prayer can take. Should our prayers be scripted and recited, or personal conversations with God? What should we be praying for? When should we pray? Join the Gwartney team for a discussion about the way we ought to relate ourselves to the Almighty.

Fed independence is in the news as the Trump Team spars with Jerome Powell, and this clash brings with it questions about how independent the monetary system is and ought to be from the political system.  Russ and Peter explain the reasoning behind Fed independence and articulate just how this nominal independence actually plays out, and Justin tries to keep up.

The Catholic Church has a new Pope! Levi Russell joins us today to talk about what this means for the Church going forward, including what the selection of the name 'Leo' might indicate for the Pontiff's intended trajectory. Levi is a former Gwartney Institute member and co-founder of this very podcast, currently teaches at the University of Kansas, and is also the founder and director...

The concept of 'utility' is often deployed in economic arguments, and this can make it seem like economists are speaking an exotic and technical dialect.  So, what exactly is  utility?  How do we measure it?  Is there utility in the room with us  right now ?  Join us for a fruitful clarification of a fundamental concept in economic theory.

Everyone's favorite guest Levi Russell joins the podcast today to talk about his new hobby/obsession: competitive arm wrestling.  Levi talks the ins and outs of what competition entails, strength vs. technique, and what it's like to jump into the deep end of a seemingly intimidating subculture.  Join us for a fun and informative discussion!

Economists disagree about things!  Levi Russell of the University of Kansas joins us today to discuss trade imbalances and tariffs, and why he thinks that Trump's use of tariffs to remedy trade imbalances is a prudent tactic.  Join us for a spirited debate about whether trade imbalances are a problem in the first place, and (if so) whether tariffs are a good tool for addressing those imbalance...

When we claim that freedom leads to prosperity, we usually mean that economic and political freedom usually lead to an increase in overall wealth and well-being. But do all 'freedoms' promote general societal welfare? Do all types of freedom mutually reinforce one another? Dr. Feler Bose (Economics, Indiana University) joins the podcast to discuss his book  Sexual Freedom and Its Impact on Economi...

Vít Jedlička, Founder of Liberland joins the podcast to discuss the trials and tribulations involved in founding a state from scratch.  Liberland itself is a 'micronation', situated between Serbia and Croatia, founded in 2015 with the aim of fostering liberty in Eastern Europe.  But wait - what exactly is involved in starting a country?  Join us for a discussion! Vít Jedlička bio https://d...

'Free Banking' advocates want banks to be able to issue their own currency and let the market dictate answers to questions regarding things like the currency's relation to various precious metals and optimal levels of bank reserves.  Such advocates historically have argued that the market would settle on something like a gold standard but have disagreed about fractional reserves.  Russ...

Why do we care so much about sports? Sports play a large role in our lives. Most of us grow up playing sports, and then slowly settle into the role of spectator as age takes its toll on us. Why do we care so much about sports, and which ones are the good ones?  What is a ‘sport’ anyway?

The traditional mainstream narrative has it that those on the left are more empathetic than those on the right.  However, new research suggests that the issue is more nuanced than this might suggest.  Justin leads a discussion about some interesting recent findings claiming that there is a rather large difference between left and right, and that those on the right are much more likely to be empath...

Declining fertility rates across the globe have been in the news lately.  Peter notes that the Amish have a high fertility rate, that rate isn't dropping, and they pair this with an upbringing and coming-of-age ritual (Rumspringa) which results in a very high religious retention rate (those born Amish tend to stay Amish).  How do they do this?  Is this good?  If it is good, is there anything t...

China has been the target of Trump's trade rhetoric for more than a decade.  China plays multiple roles in our current discourse, as a trading partner, geopolitical enemy, and all-around boogeyman.  What do we do with a problem like China, if in fact China is a problem?  Join the Gwartney Team for a discussion of the available options.

Jevon's Paradox is an unintuitive result in economics concerning the effect that increased efficiency has on resource use.  Peter explains the standard examples of the paradox, and the team thinks about how this paradox might play out with regard to Artificial Intelligence and energy consumption.

People often say, "you can't prove a negative".  These people are wrong, and they drive Justin crazy, and he wants to set the record straight: you can absolutely, positively, prove a negative. 

Elon Musk's Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been busy identifying government programs and expenditures that are inefficient, wasteful, or downright corrupt.  One proposal on the table involves giving a fairly generous percentage of the DOGE cuts/savings back to taxpayers in the form of a 'DOGE Dividend'.  Does this proposal make sense, or would this just be another waste...

Trump has been rattling sabers and threatening to expand the territorial claims of the United States. Canada and Greenland have been the most discussed targets of this potential expansion. Are these proposals serious?  If these proposals are serious, are they desirable or defensible?

Boys seem to be having a hard time. Why is that? One answer is that our cultural/educational/economic apparatus is increasingly structured to frustrate boys, and to eliminate behavior that thriving boys engage in, enjoy, and benefit from. What exactly does this mean, and how much truth is there to it? Finally, what should we do?

Have people forgotten how to talk normally to each other? With the rise of social media and texting, the art of in-person, real-time conversation seems to have been lost. What exactly are people doing wrong? There are plenty of recent articles, podcasts and books about how to have 'difficult' conversations. This isn't that.  We're concerned with how to have normal  conversations. ...

The hit show 'Severance', directed by Ben Stiller and available on Apple+, raises a number of extremely interesting questions regarding personal identity, our work/life balance, and what exactly it means to be a human being.   'Severance' is described by Justin as "the best show about anything, ever."  Has he finally, completely, lost his mind?  

Irony, cynicism, and sarcasm seem to be pervasive in our culture.  Is this a good or bad thing?  Peter leads the discussion today, presenting an analysis of the different forms that irony can take (and the different layers in which it can be embedded). Does irony help us communicate with each other, or is it an impediment to clear communication?  Should we expect more or less irony going forward,...

What are some  easy  things that most people could do that would  dramatically  improve their quality of life?  The Gwartney Team has tips and tricks get more bang for your buck.  Live better!

What does everyone get wrong about Philosophers and Economists?  What do Philosophers and Economists get wrong about everyone? The view from inside a field is often startlingly different from the public's perception of that field.  Join the Gwartney Team for a fun discussion about what the public gets wrong about what we do in our respective disciplines, followed by a discussion about what our...

Will tariffs save America? We debate, you decide! Listen in to a live recording of an exciting and informative debate between the Gwartney Institute's own Dr. Russ McCullough and podcast friend and occasional guest Jon. Jacobsen (who also teaches at Ottawa University). It is a battle of brains, a war of words and a fight for the future of freedom. Let us know who you think came out on top!

Donald Trump’s hands are now on the wheel, and so far, he has been making changes quickly.  Join the Gwartney Team for a discussion covering some of the more interesting, important, and surprising maneuvers from the former and current Commander in Chief.