The David McWilliams Podcast

Bitcoin’s value has gone from 10 000 USD to a whopping 60 000 USD in the last 6 month - before going down to about 35 000 USD now. But what is it? Is it money or an asset? Can a currency so volatile be a reliable replacement to fiat money? Is it even a currency? Or something else entirely? This week we’re doing a 2 part series that aims to untangle all the noise around coins and cryptocurrency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bitcoin’s value has gone from 10 000 USD to a whopping 60 000 USD in the last 6 month - before going down to about 35 000 USD now. But what is it? Is it money or an asset? Can a currency so volatile be a reliable replacement to fiat money? Is it even a currency? Or something else entirely? This week we’re doing a 2 part series that aims to untangle all the noise around coins and cryptocurrency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a quick hit on Bitcoin we join Harvard economist Megan Greene for a deep dive on why MMT is rising in America, how Biden is embracing this new vision of monetary policy and what he’s trying to achieve with these massive infrastructure plans - all while watching out for the inflation risk! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brexit has created a new economic environment for the UK. Robert Lind joins us to untangle what the new business model might be moving forward, how it might diversify the UK economy & how it might affect London and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you know anyone in their 20s or 30s, no matter where in the world you are, you’ve been talking about housing. By all accounts the pandemic has turned an underlying condition into a fatal diagnostic for most millennials. Today we look at how the world’s housing markets in a variety of countries before moving onto the return of inflation - its always important to keep things in perspective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through a unique Broadway analogy, the fascinating three times Pulitzer Prize winner, New York columnist Times Tom Friedman helps us navigate the bigger picture behind the terrible headlines that we've been reading for the last week regarding the conflict in the Israel, Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As wages stagnate but house prices rise, a new class will emerge, beneficiaries of the housing boom, an inheritance class. As the younger generation falls behind, they will become more dependent on inheriting wealth, normally via parent's houses. This will create a drone class without the get up an go of previous strivers. We are already seeing it in some countries: you can go backwards. Also a conversation I had with the Pope, yes Francis himself about exactly this! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you feel it in the air? The wind is changing for property funds in Ireland, people are realizing how rigged the system is against them and they’re deciding to do something about it. The first step of any battle is to understand what you’re up against. This week we’ll try to breakdown these funds to better understand what they are & how we got here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it - or so the saying goes. This week, with the help of IG, we’re looking at what happened in the Great Depression and comparing it with Biden’s current economic approach to see if we’ve learned anything from the past economic cycles… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some argue that great civilized societies are measured by culture, literature or art but what about the idea that real sophistication is statistics? Truly self-confident societies reveal, expose, shine a light and measure. Calculation is purity. Data matters and to fully understand anything it’s often essential to understand numbers. Why do we use a base 12 for months? 60 for seconds? How do we make sense of the latest political stats? The answer: it's all about context. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The biggest barrier to progress is the contented class, driven by their C.A.V.E philosophy: Citizens Against Virtually Everything, they want things to slow down now that they have risen up. they object to almost everything, gumming up the planning process, driving up house costs and house prices. These Cavemen, consumed by the anti-social behavior of serial objecting, are lifting the ladder behind them it in an attempt to further their economic status at the expense of the next generation. We contrast this static, dysfunction with the thrusting dynamic of the tech sector which is creating the future in front of our eyes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The music industry has been the most iconic example of disruption in the modern age, but if Will Page is right (former chief economist of Spotify) - it might only be the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come. Join us as we explore what happened to the music industry and how the same disruption is coming for many more categories, maybe including your own! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through the super-league we look at what might be the impending end of neo-liberalism: it's all about the background noise!. From there we tease out what economic super-cycles are, why they might be a breath of fresh air for the next generation and how we’ve come to an inflection point in macroeconomic thinking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday was the worst day to day for new cases of COVID 19 globally since the pandemic started. WE may feel safer, but the world is a dangerous as ever. To combat it, and any future variants, we must respond as a united planet: the reality is we can only open if rich countries pay for the vaccines of poor countries. In 1918 after WW1 we had the League of Nations, in 1948, after WW2 the UN, World Bank, Marshall Plan and the WHO. Maybe this crisis will provide the catalyst for a global response, because vaccine nationalism isn't the answer. Planetary response to a planetary pandemic. Money is not the problem, vision is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We head down the West Lower to look at the fallout from the KBC move to leave Ireland, plus in the week that the new more muscular USA slaps sanctions on Russia, we look at the geo-strategic options for Russia, including a tacit alliance with the USA against China in Siberia. Also, there's a Russian/American summit coming up, why doesn't Ireland host it and use out neutrality actively? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most significant changes influencing our world is the feminization of the economy. It's been a long time coming, and the fruits of many battles- contraception, free and inclusive education, divorce, abortion. Finally, in the West, woman are catching up with men, in income and wealth. This trend will profoundly affect the society and the economy. Candice Bushnell, writer of Sex in the City, remarked that, "Women with money is a notion that our society is uncomfortable with". Well we'd better get used to it. In the global south, it's a different story; as Marla Dukharan reminds us, the fight is far from over Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last few decades Ireland has been growing by leaps & bounds, catching up with most of our European neighbours in almost every measurements, social and economic. Part of that story has been the dramatic improvement in the countries' capital base as a result of US MNC investment. Ireland has received more US corporate investment that China, Russia, India and Brazil combined! Now the Biden administration wants to harmonize global corporation tax - do we need to come up with a new strategy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China is changing. Relations with the US have plummeted Taiwan is the ground zero for the new China. What happens in Taiwan will affect the global economy for decades to come. We head to Taipei for an explosive local view of regional and global. Also what doe the US's new 20% corporation tax mean for Ireland and the world economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland has been in lockdown for 231 days - by far the most stringent lockdown in the EU, so where's the dividend? Could 1950s/60s Irish emigration to the UK explain far more about Ireland and Covid than we care to admit? Plus, it's all changed in the USA. Paul McCulley talks about the tectonic shift in economic policies that is shaking up the United States - how Biden calls time on Reagan's economics and why we are looking at a bear market for bonds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes, the canal is unblocked, but the ramifications of the events should not be understated: the fragility of our global supply chain has been exposed and people are starting to awaken to the inter-connectivity of our global lives. Join us as we talk with the brilliant historian Mr Silk Roads himself, Peter Frankopan about what all this will mean for the future of globalization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Any free trade has 2 sides: a buyer & a seller. After today’s conversation with one of our Patreon: Ciaran Mulqueen - who runs the crazy house prices instagram page it seems that buyers are going to start taking major steps to change the course of the housing market, in Ireland and globally! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All European countries have seen increases in far-right parties in the last decade. This political affiliation will not just disappear as most people hope it will. This week we look the far-right straight in the eyes and try to understand the underlying sentiments & motives behind the political affiliation. History has shown us the risk of letting it run free. Withe the help of Kevin Cunningham we don't just look at economics and social issue, but personality types & deep human characteristics, inherited from our hundreds of thousands of years as hunter gatherers which unwittingly dictate how we see the world. We also examine a previous period of rapid technological change, how it created both modernism and its counter reaction "blood and soil" nationalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The global seller’s market for housing is hitting new levels of madness - its time for buyers to take a stand and decide that they’re not going to take part in this madness - at least until the supply comes back to its pre-pandemic levels. In the same vein, it’s important to consider how the world is changing as people look to buy new homes. We break down five major urban trends with Simon Kuper. Plus John's Cheltenham blues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Biden unveils a $1.9 trillion package and is saying he will spend more. This is a massive change - almost a revolution against economic orthodoxy - and we are on our way to MMT (Modern Monetary Theory). We talk to the main proponent of MMT: Professor Stephanie Kelton about this brave new world. We are in a transformative age. Welcome to the future! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learning used to be hands-on, trail and error, mentors, mistakes & real world experience. Gutenberg is the model. Could going back to the old ways be the key to unlocking the innovators within our youth? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why vaccine is the only game in town. What Michael should say to Joe on St Patricks Day, plus crimes in the “West lower”..... then off the London talking with Robert Shrimsley of the Financial Times on Boris Johnson’s surprising resurgence in popularity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The War in Drugs is a spectacular failure. It is time to end it and begin to have an adult conversation about legalizing drugs. If you went out to set up a better way to enrich a violent criminal class, it would be impossible to find a better way.  We explain the economic case for the legalization of drugs, tax them and use the proceeds to help those small amount of recreational drug takers who become addicts. Treat addiction not as a crime but a health issue. Also don't fear the rise in global bond yields. It's a sign of success and please don't listen to the "austerity hyenas" screeching about large deficits, thats what's supposed to happen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The markets are getting their knickers in a twist over inflation and maybe even deficits, we explain why the economics of the 1990s no longer applies and the big shift in global policy is the bias now is towards inflation not deflation for the first time since the 1970s. Plus, the brilliant economist Noah Smith from San Fransisco on three brilliantly practical ideas to make housing work better for everyone. Plus, what happens to an economist trying his hand at radio presenting for the craic gets  a bit tongue-tied live on air with the British Foreign Secretary!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The USA is embarking on the biggest change in economic policy in decades. Biden is using the economics of the 1930s to avoid the 1930s. This is a big deal. We speak to renowned economic heretic and former Fed economist, Claudia Sahm about Biden's New Deal, being bullied by 1970's thinking and America creating 10 million new jobs. Also, we talk about economic heresy. When only one Federal Reserve economist out of 406 is black, economics has a problem. We discuss about the coming Reformation in economics with Claudia, the woman who called it out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The upcoming sale of Ulster Bank will reveal how Ireland actually works. We give you the "collars up" view from the West Lower Stand at the Aviva stadium - where deals are done. This corporate finance 101 podcast breaks down the likely carve-up of Ulster Bank amongst the Insiders, and explains why as long as the banking system is joined at the hip to the property market, Ireland will always be a boom/bust economy driving up mortgage rates and down competition. Also why data is important. We break down the demand for housing in Ireland for the next thirty years.   we need to build 55,000 housing units a year not 25,000 per year as the government maintains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What will our cities look like after Covid? We talk to renowned urbanist Richard Florida, the man behind the concept of the Creative Class and Creative Cities about what next for our cities. We also outline three "must do's" for cities. The first is a directly-elected Mayor with proper taxation/spending powers, second a tax on land hoarding to make land useful again and third, cities need to issue municipal bonds to finance everything, from housing to great public works, with the aim of making our cities beautiful, livable and magnificent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds of years ago, the Dutch were Europe's moneymen and it looks as if they are at it again. We look at new alliances & digital trade routes emerging in the post-Brexit era. Looking at Hindu parables, what's the elephant in the room? What's the story with Bitcoin, digital Gold or digital Tulips, plus the logic in Elon Musk's big bet. If Bitcoin is a hedge against catastrophe, are we missing something? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

we start off by taking a look at the fallout of the Gamestop fiasco before tackling the bigger issue: Conventional thinking. In many ways the world is still pushing “zombie” ideas - ideas that have been proven to be false but that are still being pushed as policies. With the help of Tom Bergin we look at a few conventional ideas and explain why they’re nothing more than a popular myth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Public housing should be addressed with the same urgency as public health. If we can close down the economy, borrow billions, furlough millions and stop the world in the name of public health, we should be able to tear up the rule book when it comes to housing. The property market in Ireland and the rest of the English speaking world is a scam, rigged to push prices upwards, indenturing working families and exacerbating the wealth divide. Here's how to fix it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take another look at the "day-trading" insurrectionists to examine who is actually in control, what human emotions are unleashed by the markets and what it all means for politics and economics. We are joined by the authors of the wonderful book Angrynomics political scientist Mark Blyth and hedge fund manger Eric Lonergan. Things are rarely as they seem to be! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something unusual is happening in the stock market: the little guy - or in this case, guys - are beating up the big multi-billionaire hedge-fund managers. This is in stark contrast to the usual market hegemony and might signal a deep change: the little guy is slowly recognizing their power in numbers. If short selling, margin calls, put options, short squeezes are all Double Dutch to you, fret now we have you covered. Join us as we explain it all with Twitter comedy sensation Avalon Penrose & the markets editor of the Financial Times, Katie Martin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland, like many economies is hostage to the rentiers, companies that sidle up to governments to get a licence to provide some product or service that the government used to provide. This is a licence to print money, because the rentier company has a monopoly to hoover up rent rather than make anything. They dominate the property market, utilities and have led to the infantilization of the public sector. At every stage prices rises because these are the opposite of competitive companies. Given that rentiers drive up property prices, sanctioned by government, is it any surprise the young are voting radical? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The arrival of Joe Biden has led to a profound change in tone, with America quickly re-signing back up to the Paris Accord. The planet is back on the agenda and the mantra of growth at all costs irrespective of the environmental costs, is being reappraised. We talk to Kat Raworth, author of "Doughnut Economics" about a different way of looking at the world, the economy and how we understand our relationship to the world around us, our priorities and the need to re-frame economics for the 21st century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explain by way of the SFX and Doc Martins how financial markets create inequality. Late stage financial capitalism generates super normal profits for owners of capital and debt by way of IPOs, and forces wage moderation on ordinary workers. We explain how understanding the credit cycle is key to understand the modern economy through the prism of the glorious Doc Martin, focusing on trickle down economy, opportunism and leveraged profits and market booms and busts. What does this mean for the economy? Unfortunately: most likely - further wealth division. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump is gone but what next for Trumpism? The saga is far from over. While the armed Boogaloo boys are mobilizing across the United States we talk with Professor William Black to get a thorough understanding of what’s going on in America and what the future holds for Donald J. Trump. Also a quick hit on how China has emerged unassailable from both Trump and Covid, plus America's first internal rebellion and the vision of Alexander Hamilton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We still have time to do a New Zealand, with the vaccine roll out going so slowly, can we do a Taiwan and be out and about my St Patrick's Day? We talk zero Covid with Prof Aoife McLyset: How we can administer an economic vaccine while we wait with a bit of imagination, plus what the new biotech revolution - ushered in by the mRNA vaccine - means for all of us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump is over, Trumpism is not. The great American experiment is only starting, as the Republicans become the party of the anxious while, the Democrats - the party of the satisfied. As the world's economic power shifts to Asia, we should try to understand people's real fears. Also, why the world need fewer "blackboard" economists and more "kitchen table" economists and will America's next president, Joe Biden lead the charge of change? All that teased out with the help of the extraordinary writer, thinker & author of "The people, no" - Tom Frank! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interesting times! As the US is engulfed by a culture war, we look at a culture war closer to home. Here’s why Brexit provides a once in a generation opportunity and how we can seize it. Brexit is a change and change is the one thing that is constant. Embrace it. Economically, there’s huge upside. Politically, it makes constitutional change on this island more likely. We are chatting to Andrea Catherwood on the future of Ireland, how to avoid our own culture war and how we best negotiate it from here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the podcast 2021! During the height of the civil rights campaign when people were dying needlessly, Martin Luther King deployed this expression “the extreme urgency of now” to describe the urgency of achieving civil rights immediately, not sometime in the future. Precisely the same can be said about the vaccine. Every day is crucial and the roll out of the vaccine will be the litmus test for how serious your country is! . Join us as we kick off the year by talking about the importance of moving fast, trusting institutions and learning from other parts of the world in order to get our economy (and life!) back on track Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks for your support all year. This week we take stock of Ireland after the year we’ve just had and how your view on COVID actually tells much more about who you are and what you think than you might originally think. Happy Christmas!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Technology changes the world - but not everyone who bets on technology wins. With the recent boom in tech IPOs we take a look at what the market with the help of FT’s John Thornhilll and explore a short history of market mania, from AirBnB, to canals, railways, Irish Navies, Homer Simpson plus a cameo from Ken Clarke late night in bar in Hong Kong Halloween night 1997. A few thoughts on global monetary policy too! What’s not to like? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first casualty of Brexit will be Britain. Scotland is on its own path for the first time since 1707. When Scotland becomes independent, it will trigger enormous economic and political changes up here in the North West Atlantic. Mark Blyth, Professor at Brown University helps us to tease out the economics of Scottish Independence and what’s ahead for Scotland, Ireland and England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British are gone - well almost - and the EU will change. The face of that change is likely to be Emmanuel Macron. So we examine France, by way of a small tour of European monetary history, French diplomacy, a quick trip to Paris, a bit of Albert Camus, the Cure, Algeria, Sudenten Germany and Ireland’s coming “Viking Alliance” with Scandinavia. Lots to marinade on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we review our Tuesday conversation with Andy Haldane and go through some of the most interesting aspects of the discussion, including the merits and pitfalls of meritocracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Brexit week, last throw of the dice allegedly, so what better week to talk to the man from the Bank of England - an institution that will have to deal with the economic, financial and political fallout of leaving Britain’s leaving the EU? You will love this chat with Andy, talking about Brexit, inequality, the tyranny of meritocracy, why banks fail, crypto currency, Roy Keane’s man management skills and the future of Sunderland FC! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.