The David McWilliams Podcast

Are we truly living in a Plutocracy', where we are governed by the wealthy elites instead of those we voted for? As election season heats up around the globe, we tackle the age-old question: should we tax the rich more? While the wealthy typically oppose such measures, there's one dissenting, wealthy voice: Nick Hanauer, podcaster, venture capitalist, and rich lad himself who thinks that we either force the rich to pay more in taxes, or the streets will revolt, and the pitchforks will come. Hanauer, who famously warned of imminent social unrest should inequality persist unchecked, shares his insights on why taxing the rich is not just a matter of fairness, but a crucial step in preserving social stability. According to Hanauer, we need to reshape our economic policies, or the revolution will come! Listen to Nick here and come to see him and chat with him at Kilkenomics next November. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Palestine is one of the most, if not the most, tragic national stories of the 21st century. Divided, humiliated, abused, and abandoned by both West and East, the Palestinian nature has been strangled by Israeli occupation, asphyxiated by international indifference, and its children scattered all over the world. Bassem Youssef trained cardiologist turned comedian, talks to us about how the global conversation often reverts back to the less important matters surrounding the war - instead of what actually matters. Israelis may be winning the war but they are losing the battle - they are running out of options. Only the strong can make peace - in this case, that is up to Israel. Would that diminish the idea of the Jewish homeland? They only have four options left - lets delve into them in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency. We chatted to Michael Lewis recently, who spent over a year with SBF, immersing himself in the universe of crypto-bros, and recently published his book 'Going Infinite' which tracks back the entire story of the crypto-hack that is SBF. We discuss his limited emotional intelligence, male over-confidence, and the Dunning-Kreuger effect. With every new technology, there will be speculation, bubbles, and, most importantly, white-collar crime - SBF was one of the first in the crypto world but won't be the last. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Inheritance is a tricky one. We all want to leave something to our kids if possible, yet inheritance for society makes inequality permanent, favouring the children of the rich. Millennials are about to become the wealthiest generation, which begs the question - should inheritors of wealth play a role in driving social change? What should they give back? A recent Bank of Italy paper reveals the rich stay rich. Tax records dating back to 1427 reveal that the top twenty wealthiest families in Florence remain almost identical to the top twenty richest families in 2008. However, 15th Century Florentines understood that altruistic measures such as building museums, orphanages, piazzas, roads, and more would be their insurance policy to ensure social stability - but today's rich don't quite care. They avoid all responsibility, dodging taxes worldwide. As inequality pisses people off, does this mean violent, catastrophic social change is inevitable, or will democracy do its job more gently? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 How best to run an economy and a country, bottom up or top down? A trip to Switzerland got me thinking should we invert power, making the local more consequential than the nation, should we devolve government, introduce fiscal federalism and instead of our "spectator democracy" should we opt for "direct democracy" . Unlike Ireland, where accountability seems elusive, Switzerland's governance is marked by subsidiarity and active democracy. With their frequent referenda, the Swiss distribute responsibility locally, fostering an engaged political system. The influence of Calvinism further shaped Switzerland, cultivating a deeply democratic and pragmatic society. Is it time for us to embrace for 'Protestant Pragmatism', where power is delegated to the people? Could this also be a framework for future Irish reunification? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US House of Representatives has just approved a bill with the potential to ban Tiktok from America. But this story is about much more than corporate America's jealousy over its Chinese rival's more profitable and addictive business? Its about the direction of social media and an increasingly docile, addicted citizen, out-foxed and out-thought by an algorithm. What we are witnessing is an internal power-play within the tech cartel. With its personalised algorithm, TikTok means human curiosity now takes a backseat to endless scrolling. Curiosity is no longer an active endeavour but a preordained path. In this episode, we dissect the shift in our inquisitive nature, as algorithms dictate the content we consume, rendering Google search a relics of the past. Curiosity has been commodified as we enter a digital algorithm world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The primary driver of economic growth is the innovative human mind. In this episode, we sit down with Ed Guiney, the visionary co-founder of Element Pictures, the powerhouse behind Oscar winners like 'Brooklyn', "Room" and 'Poor Things', and TV dramas such as 'Normal People'. We delve into the fascinating tale of Ireland's cinematic resurgence, driven by strategic tax incentives and our rich storytelling tradition. Join us as we uncover the secrets to Ireland's rise as a global film hub, from script to screen - it is nothing short of an enlightening discussion on innovation and the economics of filmmaking with one of the industry's leading minds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No one trusts them, the Irish government or Katie M's doctored photos. For them its part of the national theatre, for us its a national threat. How did the government misread the public and why does the public not believe them? Is Ireland progressive or reactionary? Despite a track record of successful progressive referenda, from gay marriage to abortion rights, there is now a palpable uncertainty regarding Ireland's liberal democratic identity. Is the tide shifting? We argue it is signals the onset of a new era. From the riots in November to this vote, the rumblings of restlessness are everywhere. We stand at the precipice of societal and political change, yet our elite seems oblivious. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bitcoin is being touted as a revolutionary asset, but in reality, it's often the wealthy transferring wealth to unsuspecting individuals, marketed as a stroke of financial liberation. This asset is not money - it lacks many characteristics traditionally associated with money. It functions scarcely as a medium of exchange, lacks stability in value, and operates without regulation. Instead, it predominantly serves as a speculative asset or digital commodity. Despite this, it garners headlines as big tech and the SEC embrace it, ironically contradicting its anti-establishment roots from the cyberpunk era. Currently, the global cryptocurrency market represents less than 2% of the bond market. While every movement of Bitcoin is amplified by its evangelists, other shifts in the bond market typically generate a muted response. Despite Bitcoin's recent surge to a new peak of $69,000, it still lacks intrinsic value, inviting speculation on who ultimately benefits from its volatility - and we're just waiting to see who the greatest fool is. EFTs are just a brilliant way of offloading from the rich to the poor punter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For International Women's Day, we're thrilled to welcome Alice Evans, who is currently immersed in writing a book on gender equality across different cultures. This week, we travel to southeast Asia with Alice, whose storytelling transports us to China - where we explain the rise of China through their love of money, their increasing emphasis on wealth and their Lunar New Year's celebration's focus on monetary gain. Join us as we navigate the fascinating interplay between money, gender dynamics, cultural norms, and societal evolution in Southeast Asia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of black swan events and explore how they resonate with contemporary art & culture. A black swan event, a term popularized by Nassim Taleb, describes an unpredictable event with severe consequences beyond normal expectations. Is the tiktokisation of culture that we are experiencing its own black swan event? Is social media to blame for the shift from authentic creation to derivative works driven by trends? As art becomes increasingly commodified and driven by algorithms, we risk losing the essence of human culture. We examine how art has transitioned from a form of expression and exploration to a tool for education and, more recently, a source of instant dopamine hits. This evolution has led to a proliferation of derivative content, threatening the fabric of creativity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we return to the theme of acceleration and confront a stark reality: much of Ireland is stuck in 1984. Despite boasting an economy that has expanded between 20 to 30 times since the mid 80s —earning us the title of one of the world's fastest-growing economies — our public infrastructure remains trapped in the past. We explore the paradox of aggregation becomes apparent: while the aggregate wealth has surged, the benefits have not been equally distributed, leaving our infrastructure lagging behind. The question looms: who is to blame for this stagnation? We travel across the country to Cork, Limerick, and Galway to understand how proper implementation of regional development could benefit these already vibrant cities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forty years since its inception, the DART and the lack of substantial progress in transport infrastructure reflects a systemic failure in Ireland's approach to development and progress. Instead of marking a milestone of achievement, the Dart's anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the political inertia and lack of commitment to meaningful change. Despite the economy expanding exponentially, with a growth of 20 to 30 times its size since 1984, the public transport system remains severely underdeveloped. This disparity underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift, one that embraces accelerationism to propel Ireland forward into a future where development matches economic growth and fosters societal advancement - but what exactly is Accelerationism? This week, Will O'Brien, who's proposing we embrace a new idea known as 'Éire Accelerationism' - we delve into what Éire Accelerationism is, its origins, and why Ireland needs to embrace it. We consider its potential to address challenges, but also ask the question, could it really work? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we delve into the perennial question: Why do so few students depart school with a genuine love for mathematics? Is the way we teach maths the crux of the issue? Joining us is Colm O'Regan, host of his own Mathematics podcast, to show us the story behind the numbers. Maths, essential across various studies including economics, embodies the evolution of human thought, guiding us from guesswork to certainty - yet is widely loathed by students. It begs the question, does our approach to teaching often lack the engaging storytelling found in other subjects like history and English? Could this be what's hindering students' connections with maths? From the Ishango Bone to Pythagoras, the history of the subject is worth telling, so that's exactly what we're doing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next week, the war in Ukraine enters its third year. and last week Putin's regime murdered its only real political opponent, Alexi Navalny. Putin has transitioned from electoral manipulation to murder. This week, we chat with Alexander Kabonovsky, the podcast's resident go-to for all things Russian. Together, we explore the impact of Navalny's murder, Putin's position, and the uncertain path ahead for the ongoing conflict. As the situation in Russia rapidly deteriorates, drawing unsettling parallels to the dark era of Stalinist terror, we assess what this means for Europe and geo-politics in general. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amidst the backdrop of the hottest January on record, surpassing pre-industrial averages by 1.6 degrees, join us this week as we embark on a gripping exploration of the economic history and pre-industrial climate change. From the medieval era to the tumultuous 17th century, we delve deep into its profound impacts on society, economy, and religion. We use the poignant saga of the Pont d’Avignon as our starting point. A 13th-century bridge succumbed to the fury of climate-induced mass flooding, while Europe reeled under the devastation of the 17th-century mini-ice age, that claimed over 500,000 lives in Ireland alone. The economy suffered as agricultural yields plummeted and food prices soared, leading to famine. Calamity bred religious fervor, with moralistic prohibitions and the rise of witch-hunts, while war ravaged the continent, targeting religious minorities, driving mass migrations. In the 17th century, climate change wasn't just a matter of inconvenience—it was a catalyst for chaos and conflict. History tells us we ignore climate change at our peril. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the election year in full swing, we're shining a spotlight on the resurgence of the Kennedys. Joining us to navigate the intriguing rise of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy is the economic and political aficionado Pippa Malmgren. We ponder the origins of this surprising surge and its underreported nature amidst swirling allegations, anti-pharma sentiments, and vaccine skepticism. We contemplate whether RFK could embody a voice that resonates with the American people and discuss what awaits the land of opportunity on the road to November. With tensions escalating and Kennedy finding himself in some polls, polling similarly to Trump and Biden, the drama and anticipation of the 2024 Election will only intensify, prompting us to explore the allure of the underdog. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we delve deep into the dynamic forces shaping our global economy, from seismic demographic shifts to the transformative rise of artificial intelligence and the ascendance of Asia on the world stage. Once again, we welcome the esteemed Martin Wolf, whose unparalleled insights shed light on the intricate intersections of these pressing global challenges. Together, we attempt to navigate the evolving landscape of demography, examining its implications for societal structures and economic paradigms. Don't miss this episode as we confront the hidden forces driving our world economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost eight years later, we shine a spotlight on Brexit and how it has come to the forefront of public discourse. We explore the destructive impact of populism on stable democracies, as evidenced by the Brexit saga. The discussion delves into the false premises that underpinned Brexit, examining how it damaged the UK's economic relationship and threatened domestic stability. We are joined by economist and Financial Times columnist, Martin Wolf, who offers us a new perspective on navigating UK politics in the aftermath. Don't miss this insightful episode as we explore the pressing issues that make the UK's post-Brexit journey a critical focal point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second installment in our Milei series, we delve into what's causing the political gender divergence within Gen Z. We are joined this week by John Burn-Murdoch, who shares his insights on what has caused the split. Young men are swinging Conservative and you women are moved Liberal. Across the globe, from the US to South Korea, a profound split has emerged, shaping political affiliations, and societal norms, and even influencing electoral outcomes. We discuss the consequences of this divide, examining its impact on issues ranging from gender equality to immigration. Join us as we navigate the complexities of Gen Z's ideological landscape, shedding light on a trend that could have lasting implications for the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we explore the intersection between inflation, public sector pay and productivity, or value for money to the taxpayers who pay the public sector salaries. First, we need a good public service, second workers should be well paid, but third, is there any way of linking public sector wage increases to productivity? If not, then let's be honest with society and say so. We look at Baumol's theory of costs, a bit of old-fashioned insider/outsider dynamics, and the role of multinationals in dragging up public sector wage demands, even though there may be a productivity mismatch. Have our services improved at the same rate as overall wages in the public sector? This episode is a national-scale exploration that's sure to leave you thinking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dublin, like many cities, needs to make a decision to reinvent itself for the 21st century. It's a battle between the past and the future. There is no urban planning manual anywhere in the world that argues for more cars in towns and cities. In urban transport, cities future is fewer cars, not more.Dun Laoighaire - my hometown - is a microcosm of every modern town in Western society, and its plans for pedestrianisation could change the town dramatically. Returning the emphasis from the car to the pedestrian is the answer to creating a more vibrant community, but how do we go about it? Can adopting a road pricing mechanism, inspired by innovations like Uber's surge pricing, motivate behavioral shifts and propel Ireland into a forward-thinking future? Cities and towns are sensitive ecosystems, they need to breathe; they can't be choked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week at Davos, Javier Milei, delivered a fiery speech that spared no one, from Keynesians to Globalists. Despite some controversy, Milei's libertarian ideas are gaining traction both in Argentina and beyond. As people grapple with economic and geopolitical challenges, they are increasingly drawn to solutions that Milei proposes.In this episode, we explore Milei's speech, which delves into the history of economic growth where he attributes much of it to the principles of free-market capitalism. Regardless of whether one agrees with Milei's thesis, the importance lies in fostering a dialogue around these ideas. Join us as we kick off a series where we dive deeper into the factors contributing to the global explosion in growth, using Milei's speech as a thought-provoking starting point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland wasn't ready for the economic success we have experienced over the past 40 years. However, with success comes more social responsibility that the Irish government hasn't been able to meet. We weren't ready for the combination of a population boom, multinational investment, income to rise, and housing demand to increase as a result. We are now at an inflection point. We have no choice but to reframe our society and how we look at housing, the other option is social chaos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Houthis - who are they? And why are the US and UK bombing them? What has it got to do with your world? America is keeping shipping routes open and that's exactly what the Houthis seek to destroy. The Houthis occupy one of the maritime world's most sensitive trading chokepoints, and they understand this. 90% of the world's traded goods are shipped by sea: stop shipping and you stop the global economy. This week we talk about all this and the impact on Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we explore the connection between culture, language, and economic growth. We are joined by John Burn-Murdoch and his data-driven expertise as we discuss how the West could be 'talking itself into decline.' The shift in culture and language that began around the 16th century has become increasingly relevant as books have become digitized - particularly tracking words related to progress and positivity could be another way to explain economic growth trends and cultural shifts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January if often the time for looking ahead, but all too often, we don’t look far enough. Today’s episode is about looking at the end of a 40 year cycle and the start of a new longterm economic reality! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 is going to be a monumental year - 50% of the planet that is eligible to vote is going to vote! But the real power lies in the media: who tells the stories, who controls the medium and the message. This will be the year of a full on war between micromedia, like podcasts etc, and macromedia, like TV. In this battle there is only one winner. It's called economic and technological disruption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start today by breaking down the mathematical formula to economic growth before moving to my best reads of 2023… and a sneak peek of a book coming out in 2024! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a year it’s been! On the last episode of the year we take a look back at the incredible year (sometimes good, sometimes bad) that 2023 has been across the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Christmas! Here's a fascinating discussion that I've had with Naomi Klein this year that covers a wide range of political topics - something to ponder on as we all take a well deserved break! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As I spend my last night in Los Angeles, I’ve come to appreciate the drive of this city where so many creative endeavours are born. Hollywood is the core of America’s soft power - What story will it tell next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from Las Vegas we talk about 2024, the upcoming American election, falls in global interest rates, potential American isolationism, the Gutenberg Bible, today’s AI boom - and where it is all taking us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time to eat humble pie? Despite us saying last year it that Bitcoin was a BS idea, its value has risen over 150% this year! What’s behind the surge? We talk about Notorious B.I.G, Benjamin Franklin, the wisdom of Charlie Munger and the fact that Bitcoin is something, but it ain't money! But where from here? Should we revise our stance on the technology? Joins us to find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland has a massive deficit in public infrastructure and a massive surplus in the public finances. Economists are advising the government to save on the basis that saving is "good". But not spending when we have an increasing immigrant population is a recipe for social chaos. This podcast is celebration of spending. Ireland's tax base is set up to generate surplus, so spend the money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Putin's back, swanning around the Gulf visiting Saudi Arabia and the UAE, telling the world that he was never really away. Things are going his way. Meanwhile America, is swamped with recurring geopolitical crises and its role as the global top dog is under enormous pressure as we head into an election year. 2024 could be the year of a global infection point, we set out the issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We mark the death of Shane MacGowan by looking at the Irish Diaspora, particularly in England and its impact on English popular culture. From there we look at Ireland's relationship with its Tribe abroad and from there, we imagine what a 2nd Irish Republic will look like (which will happen because it's necessary) and the role of the diaspora in this thinking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liberal democracy in the western world is all too often taken for granted. But its enemies, nationalists, theocrats, Marxists and isolationists - are rising. Will Israel become a "wedge" issue? Also, why we should defend it and what the erosion of commercial liberalism in China is doing to its economic performance. What does 2024 has in store for the best political idea we've come up with yet, liberal democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the riot, the analysis. We look at the power of crowds, why crowds love destruction, why they grow and how they the dissipate. Plus, of course the economics of the Irish far right, we look at the numbers, who are they and why they are here to stay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From tantric sex expert to President, Javier “chainsaw” Melei is a new type of populist - and anarchy-capitalist one! What does this mean, is this guy libertarianism’s answer to Che Guevara? And where will “dollarisation” take this beautiful but profoundly dysfunctional country? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The board of Chat GPT may be firing its CEO, but that doesn't mean this revolution is slowing down. A whistle wind tour from the dawn of time with Stanley Kubrick, to Gutenberg in 1453, and up to now, we look at the economics of innovation. With AI are we now facing catastrophe or a creative surge? Listen up, as we explore the economics of AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anti-semitism, inflation, threats to democracy, despotic leaders and fragile governments, if you thought it was today, its is - but hold on. It's happened before... This very month 100 years ago, German hyperinflation peaked, Adolf Hitler announced himself with a putsch and anti-semitism was rife. History is repeating itself, or is it? Join us on this epic journey back in time to see what we can learn and whether we can apply any historical remedies to today's global problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we kick-off a new three part series that looks at the state of the big economic blocs in the world. Part one is the state of the US as it enters an election year. Plus we scan the UK and the EU, briefly. We call this world the NATO-sphere for obvious reasons. Next up in this series, we will deal with the impact of AI and third we will look at China the link between economics & liberalism. Our first conversation is around US economy, the rate of interest, inflation and the miracle of recent US economic performance, which is challenging our understanding of macroeconomics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is the Israeli tail is wagging the American dog? America's election is exactly one year from now and Joe Biden is in bed with Netanyahu, but his own party, the Democratic Party is deeply divided by his embrace of Israel. He has given Netanyahu his blessing, but he can't influence the outcome in Gaza. This emasculation, combined with the end of the 0% interest rate days where previous "stars" are falling to earth - WeWork goes bankrupt, NFTs blinds people and SBF gets convicted - and we have a perfect storm, economically and geo-politically, raging. All this before we talk about Donald Trump. Strap up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John and I sat down at the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny and had a natter, covering all classes of topics from economics, to James Joyce, WB Yeats and a whole host of other topics, focussing on Europe's economic policy dilemmas.  We chatting about unconventional thinkers, how the artist & the entrepreneur are much more similar than meets the eye, both being unconventional dissenters.And If you’d like to hear my full TED talk on unconventional thinking, simply click here: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_mcwilliams_the_power_of_unconventional_thinking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We go way back to 70 AD before coming bak to today. Demography demands a two state solution, and the Israeli's know this. But a trap has been set for America, into which it is sliding. The Kremlin has its "wedge' issue and the battle for the West continues, Putin can't believe his luck. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not world shattering to announce that there is a pay discrepancy between men and women - but it's important to note that this gap has been maintained despite numerous laws and financial requirements that have been implemented to remove said gap. So why is is still here? Join us as we talk about the underlying issues that laws can't address! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the third instalment of our series we explain the period of 1993 to the present in the Middle East. Why the peace accords floundered, the impact of 9/11, why the middle ground gave way to the extremes, and the rise of the Israeli tech industry. Don’t miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The commercial property market is struggling to swallow the interest rate hikes aiming to bring down inflation. Can the mass building of the last decade, built on the back of very low interest rate, survive this new economic landscape?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of our overview of the Israel-Palestinian conflict brings us from the Six Day War to the Oslo Accords. Key things here are the change in the image of Isreal in the world imagination from defiant fighter to oppressive bully and the emergence of Iran, fundamentalism, settlers and economic stagnation. We end with Soviet Jewry emigrating to Israel, the Palestinian Intifada, chaos in Lebanon and the road to, a short-lived, peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.