The David McWilliams Podcast

Today we talk about China: its growth, its dominance and perhaps most importantly; its future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s start is about the way out of the global housing crisis, how some well intentioned ideas have unfortunate unexpected consequence and why the way out of this problem is going to require us to accept some imperfect solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explain precisely how exchange rate, interest rate and monetary policy actually interact and work - all within the first 30 mins! While inflation is grabbing headlines across the world whats hiding behind the headlines is fragile currencies: today we look at Beirut to understand what lessons we can take from a country when money dies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following last week’s conversations on climate change we wanted to talk about the real, tangible ways that we can create this better, greener future through public initiatives. The race to 2030 is on - and the finish line is closer than we might think! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s no secret that we’ve been living in inflationary times, but inflation is always the harbinger of higher interest rates and if they were to go up, what happens? Lessons from Zillow, the problem of tomorrow's big data, yesterday's invented barter, and the amount of debt out there and a central banks that gets spooked. Fascinating stuff. Its all about inflation, transitory or temporary? Today we’re joined by Rob Armstrong in New York to explore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to dereliction there's many myths that people tell to accept the status quo - "that's just the way it is" "the council is doing its best " - "It's a problem with planning permission". To put it bluntly: most of these are simply not true. Let's break them down and talk about what we can do to create a better future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode explores two topics: we begin by looking at what the market thinks of potential interest rate increases - is there a bear market coming? Then we continue to focus on climate change through a warning from the Vikings regarding how civilizations choose to collapse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are running out of time, it's now or never. The world needs to stop burning fossil fuels. That's the challenge. It’s not all doom & gloom. We explore about the massive economic opportunities of renewables for those who are ready to seize them! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s podcast is split in two: we explore the changing of the guard in Germany and a massive undocumented shift in German policy, before exploring the legacy of a great journalist and writer: Robert Fisk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why now is the time to strike for a higher wage. Wages are going up, don't get left behind. Also, a quick follow-up on last week’s chats on inflation & crypto, we ask the question what does crypto/Bitcoin do in a crisis? The Great Depression was caused by dumb-ass attachment to the gold standard, why would digital gold be any different in another slump? Plus wages, the Great Resignation and what it means for your job & your salary? And why switching jobs now makes complete sense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re continuing our conversation on inflation, this time through the lens of cryptocurrency to understand if it actually is the safe haven to inflation that many seem to think it is Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Greek Goddess Maia, to the Roman God Mercury, and the Lord Edward Pub in Dublin, this week's chat on inflation takes an eclectic turn. We’re seeing price increases across various aspects of our lives - how worried should you be? Today we breakdown how these price increases came to be and how long they might last. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we connect with Alec Ross, the author of the Raging 2020s to talk about the fight for our future, how share-holders rose to power and the way that society can take back control for a better future for all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick off the week with the launch of our new international trade and money course which aims to bring economics to everyone! We start the chat with a quick overview of the course before talking about the new corporate tax rate, what's happening and how we can use this new reality to make Ireland a more entrepreneurial place for our youth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We examine the similarities between China in 2022 and Japan in 1990. The trajectory of huge export-led growth, dragging Japan in the 1950s, 60s, 70s out of the post-WW2 morass, and China in the 1990s, Noughties and Teens out of the post-Mao torpor, leading to an internal domestic bubble, fuelled by property, real estate speculation and excessive bank lending. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"A spectre is haunting Britain—the spectre of stagflation". It's not always the podcast paraphrases Karl Marx, but when it comes to ideology, there are few better examples of "the one size fits all" trap as Marxism or Brexit. Now the consequences of Brexit and the end of the pandemic are pushing the UK, one of the most inherently inflationary economy in the West, towards stagflation where growth slows at the same time as prices rise. In the week where the Brexit jihadis of the Tory Party gather, we have a gander across the water. Lots in here economics, politics, culture, nostalgia and the economics of panic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the experience economy, to the economics of meaning, the psychology of Covid deniers, what happens when you are too committed to on idea, the perils of Facebook, the economics of internet bullying and what happens when we don't see the downside of our own bad behaviour.  Brilliant stuff, fascinating insights. I think you will enjoy it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick off with a jammy deal in Dublin and why it tells you everything you need to know about what's wrong with Ireland's housing market. Plus the hidden costs of house price increases everything from obesity, climate change, wealth inequality and even fertility! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we start in China to talk about Evergrande, the real estate empire that is on the brink of collapse before talking about the history of colonialism and linking it to current day economics  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Michael D Higgins, Ireland’s President gets into a scrap, we have a hot take on rubber booms, Apocalypse Now, Roger Casement, King Leopold and Oscar Wilde! Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With headlines around the world talking about rising inflation its well worth the time to break down what it is, why yours might not be like anyone else’s and why, in time, this too shall pass. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're in Dubai, giving a quick run down of what the region looks like to the visitor, then we head back to Europe in order to look at the dilemma of elite overproduction, how our new meritocracy is turning sour an what it means for the economics, politics and society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China has been making huge policy changes in the last few weeks - it’s laying out a clear vision for what it wants the country to look like for the decades to come. We join Angelica Oung in Taiwan to help us breakdown the latest events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish governments has finally laid out a vision to tackle the ongoing housing crisis and while it’s far from perfect, it is a step in the right direction. Join us as we go over what was proposed and what kind of impact it might have. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the 4th industrial revolution has converged with a global pandemic creating seismic shifts in various aspects of our lives, how will the future of work look like? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the implication of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul? The author of "The Silk Roads", Peter Frankopan shares his wisdom with us, and explains what all this means for the region and the globe. Plus, the odd riff on August, Louis Walsh and Jimmy Carter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Afghanistan is unraveling in front of our eyes, and while many stories are making headlines, few talk about what it currently feels like for the regular folks living there. We’re bringing you a unique perspective from real Afghans about what it feels like right now as well as what might come next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not always you get to chat to a man who survived 10 years in a Siberian Gulag, Mikhail Khodorkovsky is such a man, so this is a real treat. Who better to discuss Putin than the man Putin was so afraid of that he put him in prison? The handover from the Putin regime will be an huge geo-political event and it has the potency to go very badly wrong. Like most autocrats, Putin hasn't picked a successor and is said to step down in 2024, What will then become of Russia? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is a unique blend of music, creativity & quantum physics between two masters of their respective fields. From Brian Cox's early brushings with music to tips on being a good ancestor - this is one you don't want to miss! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re bringing you another conversation from the Dalkey Book Festival where we explore nationality, sports, history, the pandemic, and most importantly why the incentives to implement preventive measures are non-existent in our society!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we want to bring you a great conversation that I had with Bernie Sanders at the Dalkey Book Festival a few weeks ago. Senator Sanders touches on the current economic climate of politics in the states, the Biden agenda and where he wants to push the budget committee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's August - We're taking a moment to go through our archives and surface a few "best of"' to keep you company on your summer holidays. This week we're revisiting one of our all-time favourites: the economics of love! Hope you enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we dive back into Florence and Dante to explore how this extraordinary writer’s lessons and insights are still as relevant today as the day they were written Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric & Mark walk us through the vacuums in politics and the different types of anger that has brought on the rise of populism globally and how they’ve used this anger to create a new economic framework Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone has tried to make the year that’s passed fit into classic boom/bust models but the truth is that there’s nothing classical about 2020 - so let’s assess what really happened to the economy and what we’re heading into now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brands spend millions to represent something that consumers want to be associated with. The tricky part is that culture is always changing, always evolving. The latest cultural change is the rise of ESG in people’s decision making - not understanding this shift can significantly impact bottom lines! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a wind of change in the Cuban air. The Castro family is no longer running the country and there are whispers among the locals that this might be a tipping point for the country. Let’s breakdown the current situation & the different ways that this can play out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economists are dangerous, so says this week's guest iconoclastic economist,Professor Steve Keen and this is particularly the case if we think about climate change. What can we do to avoid a climate catastrophe? Carbon credits could be the answer, but we have to act quickly. Plus, why Ireland could be to renewable energy what Saudi Arabia is to petrol and thrifty five years after Chernobyl, why the return of nuclear is on the cards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish government is trying to sell its stake in the Bank of Ireland at a half price. Selling cheap and buying expensive is never good business. We head back to the West Lower to explore the nexus between selling Bank of Ireland cheaply and the dreaded Davy Stockbrokers, that entity that is under investigation by the State. Could there be a link? If so what does it say about corporate culture in Ireland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week the New York Times took a swipe at Ireland by calling it a tax haven - which it most definitely is not. Using taxes is central to any nation's economic policy. A tax haven is understood to be a place where a company puts a brass plate up, has few if any employees and proceeds to wash money through this shell company. That is not what is happening in Ireland. We explore the transformation of the Irish society and the Irish economy, against the background of a small country fighting the limitation of size by embracing globalization and importing much needed capital over a thirty year period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is changing and nowhere is that more apparent than in urban areas around the world. Today’s episode looks at the transformations happening in our podcast home of Dun Laoghaire and use it as a template to discuss what might happen around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up here, in what used to be called the "1st World", the pandemic has focused economists' minds on what can be done to change our thinking after Covid has passed. M.M.T. sets out new economic opportunities  available, for example, to the the US. But not all countries have the luxury of this approach built up over decades of wealth and stability. Countries in what is now termed the "Global South" do not have these possibilities. Yet they are the ones that need a break most. Today’s episode contrasts what new economic frameworks meant for countries who are already rich and compares that to the experience from countries who remain poor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I was a kid, being inclusive or accepting of gay people was regarded as the death knell of commerce. Today it’s an essential attribute of a successful economy or company. This week we talk about the change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We examine recent political trends and ask the question: is the centre, written off by the extremes, back in the game & And if so, what does it mean? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're slowly but surely coming to the boiling point of the housing market, but as we do so it's important to step back and understand the magnitude of the mess we're in. Join us this week as we quantify the booms & busts of the last 2 generations in Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elections all over the world are now power struggles between "castes", not so much classes, ideologies or even economics. We look at economic history as being one on going struggle between three castes, the priests, the warriors and the merchants. Each traditional caste has evolved from their historical origins, but they are essentially unchanged in the modern. Today's politics is still dominated by this fascinating three-way struggle, economics is also determined by the winners of this battle. From the Pharaoh, to the Red Branch Knights, the disappearance of Prussia, right up to Brexit and the next Irish election we trace this illuminating way at looking political, power and position. It explains why the relatively rich have swung to the Left, while the relatively poor have swung to the Right in the biggest political re-configuration of our age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History is a great teacher - so this week we turn to the 1980s in Japan to learn how one country who had seemingly figured it all out - lost its way! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money is so deeply engrained in our lives that we sometimes forget to think about it at all. With the rise of alternative currencies it's worth taking a step back and thinking about what exactly is money? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every country has the right to use the tools at their disposable to make the lives of its citizens more prosperous - even the tax code. With the G7 underway and it’s headlines about a common tax rate we’re going to explore what that could mean for Ireland before moving to another key global issue: Disrupting the construction industry to achieve affordable housing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why gold may have started with prostitution, why wine makers take the mickey, why economists only see half the picture and what Naomi Osaka tell us about decision-making and why the so-called hard sciences are actually easy and the soft one, hard. We’ve always opened the podcast by saying that you need to understand human nature to understand the economy, so today instead of interrogating a specific topic, we look at value & value creation - because economics has to be more open to marketing & psychology to see the big picture and be materially better at creating a better future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.