Budget Deficits and Government Debt
Government deficits and debt are at record levels in many countries, provoking widespread anxiety. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers explain why governments run deficits and rack up debt, whether th...
4 Maj 202120min
Fiscal Policy - Government Spending and Taxes
There's no bigger player in the economy than the government, which can adjust billions of dollars worth of taxes and spending. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers explain how policymakers can adjust t...
27 Apr 202116min
Monetary Policy - The Financial Levers That Tame Business Cycles
Central Banks around the world, such as the Federal Reserve, work to keep the economy running smoothly. They set interest rates and adjust financial conditions to keep inflation and unemployment stabl...
20 Apr 202124min
The Fed Model - Predicting what will happen to the Economy
When a shock such as the Covid pandemic sends waves through the global economy, how do economists find ways to respond? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers guide you through the Fed Model - the mainst...
13 Apr 202123min
Inflation and the Phillips Curve
Why do we end up paying higher prices than we used to? And what are the main causes of this economy-wide inflation? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers talk us through how expectations influence infla...
30 Mars 202125min
Connecting Interest Rates & Output
What is the most important price in the economy? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers say that it's the interest rate, and they dig into where it comes from, and how it drives all spending in the econo...
23 Mars 202123min
The Boom and Bust of Business Cycles
Even economists find navigating the ups and downs of expansions and recessions tricky. With the COVID-19 recession still affecting millions around the world, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers help y...
16 Mars 202119min
Exchange Rates & International Finance - The flow of currencies around the world
How can a change in the currency markets change the price of a loaf of bread? And is a strong currency useful? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers explain how imports and exports are affected by forei...
9 Mars 202125min
