EconTalk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EconTalk is a weekly podcast hosted by professor Russell Roberts at George Mason University. The talk consists of Roberts interviewing a guest--often a professional economist--while discussing topics in economics. Each episode lasts roughly an hour, but it varies widely. The podcast is notable for its clear and thoughtful conversations about economics, and for its ability to bring the economic way of thinking to a vast range of subjects.

EconTalk is hosted by the Library of Economics and Liberty (sponsored by the Liberty Fund). In 2006, and again in 2007, the podcast received 2nd place in the Weblog Awards. [1], [2] Roberts has interviewed several Nobel Prize laureates on EconTalk.

Contents

[edit] Themes

Throughout the podcasts, Roberts puts emphasis on a running series of economic ideas, weaving them into the topic of the interview. Major themes include the way markets evolve, spontaneous order, and the division of labor. Guests often include authors of recently published books of current interest in economics. A few guests appear regularly and converse with Roberts about questions that arise in the press or in classrooms. Topics of interest to guests as well as topics suggested by commenters and listeners sometimes become extended themes in subsequent podcasts. Additional themes include the economics of sports, health, the law, public choice, and education.

[edit] Spontaneous Order

Roberts has a particular interest in spontaneous order and related Hayekian themes which emphasize the role and nature of knowledge. This often finds form in how societies organize themselves in not just economic but in social and political spheres as well. A running question Roberts poses to guests in this vein is how we should set out to describe this critical idea, as normal conversation rarely captures the essence of the idea.

[edit] The Division of Labor

Adam Smith's division of labor plays a recurring role in the podcasts, particularly in how it contributes the creation of wealth. These increases in productivity are notably striking and often appear in conversations concerning trade, growth, and technology.

[edit] The Future

Roberts sometimes asks his guests if they are optimistic about the future, particularly at the end of the interview. Guests occasionally speculate on what may evolve in the long run.

[edit] Controversial Topics

Invited guests sometimes include controversial authors or areas of discussion in economics where there is current disagreement. Authors on opposing sides of an economic debate are invited to present their perspectives and are challenged with ideas on the opposing side.

[edit] Episode List

[edit] 2006

[edit] March

  • Don Cox on The Economics of Parenting (3/16)

[edit] April

[edit] May

[edit] June

[edit] July

[edit] August

[edit] September

[edit] October

[edit] November

[edit] December

[edit] 2007

[edit] January

[edit] February

[edit] March

[edit] April

[edit] May

[edit] June

[edit] July

[edit] August

[edit] September

[edit] October

[edit] November

[edit] December

[edit] 2008

[edit] January

[edit] February

  • Daniel B. Klein on Coordination and Cooperation (2/4)
  • William Easterly on Growth, Poverty, and Aid (2/11)
  • Timothy Brook on Vermeer's Hat and the Dawn of Global Trade (2/18)
  • Thomas Sowell on Economic Facts and Fallacies (2/25)

[edit] March

[edit] April


[edit] May

[edit] June

* denotes a Nobel Prize winner.

[edit] References

 This article does not cite any references or sources. (November 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

[edit] Links