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Ridley on Trade, Growth, and the Rational Optimist
Ridley on Trade, Growth, and the Rational Optimist
ratings:
Length:
59 minutes
Released:
Oct 18, 2010
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about why he is optimistic about the future and how trade and specialization explain the evolution of human development over the millennia. Ridley argues that life is getting better for most of the people on earth and that the underlying cause is trade and specialization. He discusses the differences between Smith's and Ricardo's insights into trade and growth and why despite what seems to be strong evidence, people are frequently pessimistic about the future. Ridley also addresses environmental issues.
Released:
Oct 18, 2010
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (52)
Munger on Many Things: Mike Munger talks with host Russ Roberts about many things. Listeners sent in questions for Mike and Russ to talk about. They chose ten of the most interesting questions with the idea of talking about each for six minutes. The topics are the scarcity of clean water, asset bubbles, the role of Fannie and Freddie in the financial crisis, can a business pass a tax on to its customers (or maybe even its workers), compassionate food, the study of economics, how to choose a college, the nature of cooperation in a modern economy, the humanity of non-profits, and the American Dream. by EconTalk Archives, 2010