Political Economy Forum

In this episode, Professor Mark Alan Smith of the University of Washington speaks to Forum Fellows Morgan Wack and Nicolas Wittstock about reforming democratic political institutions. Specifically, they discuss the concept of deliberative democracy - which seeks to create institutionalized opportunities for citizens to discuss and debate issues.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Blyth of Brown University discusses his most recent book, Angrynomics , with Forum Affiliate Morgan Wack . In just under an hour, Mark details everything from the history of capitalism and the causes of economic collapse to the rise of contemporary populism and the European Super League. By differentiating between public and private forms of anger, Mark provides a new fra...

Victor Menaldo speaks to Nicolas Wittstock about a political economy approach to explaining the phenomenon of cancel culture.

Glen Weyl speaks to Forum Fellow Nicolas Wittstock about his work with RadicalXchange and the reform agenda they propose. In his 2018 book with Eric Posner, Glen Weyl suggests radical reforms to private property, the voting system, immigration, antitrust policy, and the way that technology companies handle data. In this podcast, Glen reflects on the motivations behind the reform agenda laid out, t...

Jake Grumbach , Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington joins Forum Fellows Morgan Wack and Nicolas Wittstock to discuss the indicators and causes of American democratic backsliding. Jake is the author of the forthcoming paper “ Laboratories of Democratic Backsliding. ” Coverage of the article, which details his development of the State Democracy Index utilized to...

In this episode, Jonathan Weigel discusses his work with DRC officials to improve tax collection efforts and the political participation of local communities with Forum Affiliate Morgan Wack . Throughout the episode they touch on the importance of taxation for development, the role local elites can play in harnessing communal knowledge to improve compliance, and the integration of digital technolo...

In this episode, Natasha Tusikov discusses the co-edited volume "Power and Authority in Internet Governance: Return of the State?" with Forum fellow Nicolas Wittstock . In this book, the authors discuss challenges arising in different areas of internet regulation.

In this episode, Anton Howes - head of innovation research at The Entrepreneurs Network , discusses the history of invention in Britain with host Nicolas Wittstock . Anton argues that Britons were infected with an "improving mentality" some time in the 15-hundreds. As a result, inventors created networks, shared research, and assisted each other in their efforts to improve anything they could. The...

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Leah Rosenzweig and Assistant Professor Dr. Yang-Yang Zhou discuss their recent paper " Team and Nation: Sports, Nationalism, and Attitudes Toward Refugees ." In addition to a discussion about the paper, which examines the impact of an Africa Cup of Nations football match between Kenya and Tanzania on nationalist attitudes and perceptions of refugees, Leah and Yang...

Prof. Johnathan Haskel and Forum Fellow Nicolas Wittstock discuss Johnathans' book " Capitalism without Capital - the rise of the intangible economy " (with Stian Westlake ). In it, the authors argue that that business investment in intangible capital - like software, knowledge, networks, patents, and processes - are growing in economic importance. This has crucial consequences, as these economic...

Selling your soul or sharing risk and gain access to productive networks? Income share agreements are controversial but may offer an opportunity to those who are shut out. Forum fellows and friends discuss how income share agreements might enable people to pay for college and pool risk in the knowledge economy

Professor Sabine Carey of the University of Mannheim speaks to Forum host Nicolas Wittstock about her work on the killing of journalists. Perhaps counterintuitively, journalists are most at risk in democratic countries rather than autocracies. Professor Carey explains the logic of resorting to violence in different institutional settings. 

Anne Meng - Assistant Prof. of Political Science at University of Virginia and Forum host Nicolas Wittstock discuss how dictators use seemingly inclusive political institutions to cement their power. This podcast is hosted by Morgan Wack and Nicolas Wittstock and produced by Matthew Dagele .

In this special, crossover episode with the Neither Free Nor Fair?, Professors Long and Menaldo are having an open, live discussion with Forum affiliates and friends on the Biden Agenda, the state of American democracy, COVID, and social media in politics. This podcast is hosted by Morgan Wack and Nicolas Wittstock and produced by Matthew Dagele .

Professor Ellen Seljan from Lewis & Clark speaks to Forum Fellow Nicolas Wittstock on her recent work on the effects of automatic voter registration. This podcast is produced by Matthew Dagele , Morgan Wack , and Nicolas Wittstock . Our theme music was created by Ted Long. Any questions or feedback, please contact uwpoliticaleconomy@gmail.com

In this episode, Research Scholar Dr. Shelby Grossman and Forum Affiliate  Morgan Wack  discuss Shelby's work with the Stanford Internet Observatory combatting the global spread of political "influence operations". They also examine the impact of these operations and a collection of impressive efforts aiming to limit the dissemination of disinformation online. This podcast is produced by...

Niko Switek , the DAAD Visiting Assistant Professor for German Studies at the Henry M. Jackson  School for International Studies and the Department of Political Science at the University of Washington speaks to Forum Fellow Nicolas Wittstock about the recent success of far-right and far-left Green parties in Europe.  This podcast is produced by Matthew Dagele , Morgan Wack , and Nicolas...

In this episode, Forum affiliate Megan Erickson speaks to David Skarbek of Brown University about his research on prison gangs and how prison systems are organized in different countries.  This podcast is produced by Matthew Dagele , Morgan Wack , and Nicolas Wittstock . Our theme music was created by Ted Long. Any questions or feedback, please contact uwpoliticaleconomy@gmail.com

Harvard Social Science Fellow Glory Liu speaks to Forum Fellow Nicolas Wittstock about Adam Smith's reception in the United States.  This podcast is produced by Matthew Dagele , Morgan Wack , and Nicolas Wittstock . Our theme music was created by Ted Long. Any questions or feedback, please contact uwpoliticaleconomy@gmail.com

Prof. Victor Menaldo and Prof. James Long of the UW Political Economy Forum discuss their recent piece on Section 230 and Trump’s deplatforming in the Seattle Times, and obscure features of the Constitution regarding Impeachment and the upcoming Senate trial.

Assistant Professor Asli Cansunar and Morgan Wack discuss how perceptions can shape policy preferences. They also touch on the influence social media and local conditions serve in shaping individual economic perceptions.

Prof. Victor Menaldo and Nicolas Wittstock host Roddy Lindsay , CEO of Hustle and opinion columnist at The Information, to discuss the implications of President Trump's ban from Twitter for free speech on social media. 

Prof. Victor Menaldo of UW Political Economy Forum discusses with James whether the mob that attacked the Capitol is a coup attempt, insurrection, or sedition, the 25th amendment, and future prosecutions. James and Victor also discuss these issues in a recent piece published in The Conversation: Why Trump’s challenges to democracy will be a big problem for Biden .

Professor Mark Alan Smith and Forum Fellow Nicolas Wittstock debate to what extent the results of scientific inquiry can inform public policy and resolve political disputes.

PhD Candidate Beatrice Magistro and Professor Victor Menaldo make the case that all populist leaders pursue similar economic policy - regardless of their professed ideology. Almost without exception, these policies hurt the very people populists claim to champion.