The Institute of Economic Affairs podcast examines some of the pressing issues of our time. Featuring some of the top minds in Westminster and beyond, the IEA p...
From Nudges to Bans: The Dangerous Path of Behavioral Economics | Prof. Mario Rizzo | IEA Live
In this IEA In Conversation event, Dr. Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics, hosts Prof. Mario Rizzo of New York University for an incisive examination of behavioural economics and its paternalistic implications. Prof. Rizzo, co-author of the acclaimed "Escaping Paternalism" and co-director of the Classical Liberal Institute at NYU, challenges the fundamental premises of behavioural public policy with sharp precision and intellectual rigor. The lecture delves into the limitations of behavioural economics' approach to policy-making, exploring how context-dependent biases are, why quantifying them accurately is nearly impossible, and how government intervention may inadvertently weaken individuals' capacity for self-regulation. Prof. Rizzo dissects Cass Sunstein's provocative claim that Friedrich Hayek might have approved of some behavioural interventions, revealing the flawed assumptions underlying this hypothesis. Following the lecture, Dr. Snowdon leads a stimulating Q&A session exploring practical applications of these ideas, from pension auto-enrollment to food positioning, organ donation policies, and the reality of slippery slope concerns in regulation. Throughout, Prof. Rizzo offers a compelling case that while acknowledging human fallibility is important, the contextual nature of decision-making and our limited knowledge of individual circumstances make paternalistic interventions fundamentally problematic. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe
07/4/2025
1:02:19
Trump's New Tariff Plan Explained, UK Savings & Wealth Inequality | IEA Podcast
In this episode of the IEA podcast, host Callum Price, Director of Communications, is joined by Tom Clougherty, Executive Director, and Dr. Kristian Niemietz, Editorial Director, to discuss recent economic developments. The conversation begins with an analysis of former President Trump's newly announced tariff plan, which imposes varying rates from 10% to 46% on different countries, with the UK subject to the minimum 10% rate. The guests examine the formula behind these tariffs and the potential impact on international trade.The podcast then shifts to domestic UK issues, focusing on potential changes to cash ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Tom explains the rumored plans to limit how much can be saved in cash ISAs versus stocks and shares, discussing why this interference in consumer choice is problematic despite Britons potentially under-investing in equities. The conversation also addresses wealth inequality in the UK, with Kristian noting that contrary to popular belief, wealth inequality hasn't significantly increased in recent decades.The discussion concludes with Tom challenging the narrative that Britain doesn't tax wealth enough, presenting OECD data showing the UK actually taxes property, inheritance, and capital gains at higher rates than many competitor countries. The guests argue that supply-side reforms rather than redistributive measures are needed to address the UK's growth challenges.We bring you a public affairs podcast with a difference. We want to get beyond the headlines and instead focus on the big ideas and foundational principles that matter to classical liberals. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe
04/4/2025
34:53
Left vs Right: Both Anti-Freedom | Yaron Brook | IEA Interviews
In this IEA briefing, Communications Manager Reem Ibrahim sits down with Yaron Brook, Chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute, to discuss free trade and its economic importance. Brook criticises President Trump's tariff policies, explaining how they contradict fundamental principles of economic freedom. He argues that trade barriers make Americans poorer by restricting individual rights to voluntary exchange and dismisses the notion that "Freedom Day" has anything to do with actual freedom. The conversation explores the theoretical foundations of free trade, examining how specialisation and comparative advantage create wealth. Brook emphasises that voluntary trade is always win-win and criticises political interests that lobby for protectionist policies. The discussion turns to UK trade policy post-Brexit, with Brook suggesting Britain missed an opportunity to become a model for global free trade by maintaining EU regulations while pursuing limited trade agreements. In the final segment, Brook introduces viewers to Objectivism, Ayn Rand's philosophical system. He outlines its comprehensive approach to values, explaining how it promotes individual liberty grounded in a morality of rational self-interest. Brook describes Objectivism's view of government as limited to protecting individual rights through police, military, and judiciary functions while leaving people free to pursue their own values without interference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe
03/4/2025
29:38
Analysis: What the Chancellor SHOULD Have Done
IEA Executive Director Tom Clougherty analyses Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Spring Budget statement of March 26, 2025. With economic forecasts worsening since October, the government's fiscal headroom has disappeared, leading to cuts in welfare and departmental spending alongside another effort to tackle tax avoidance. The budget appears to be an exercise in meeting minimum fiscal targets rather than addressing fundamental economic issues. Clougherty criticises how fiscal events have become focused on gaming OBR forecasts five years out rather than implementing principled long-term policymaking. Growth forecasts have been halved to just 1% for 2025, with lacklustre projections through the forecast window. He notes that 2024 and 2025 are essentially "lost years" in terms of per capita economic growth, with productivity improvements still being anticipated despite failing to materialise since the financial crisis. While the Chancellor's rhetoric around pro-growth policies is promising, Clougherty questions whether the substance matches the vision. He argues that a more radical approach to supply-side liberalisation is needed, pointing out that if minor planning reforms can boost GDP by 0.2% at no fiscal cost, more comprehensive reforms across planning, financial regulation, and energy could deliver significantly greater growth benefits that the UK economy desperately needs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe
26/3/2025
6:02
Time for a New Economic Measurement? IEA Briefing
Download the full paper here: https://iea.org.uk/publications/44943/ In this new IEA Briefing, Communications Manager Reem Ibrahim sits down with independent economist Damian Pudner to discuss the new IEA paper "Rethinking Monetary Policy." Pudner explains why the Bank of England's current 2% inflation targeting system fails to provide a balanced approach during supply shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing interest rate hikes that exacerbated the cost of living crisis while hampering economic growth and recovery. Pudner presents a compelling alternative: nominal GDP targeting, which would require the Bank of England to consider both inflation and economic growth simultaneously. This more holistic approach could prevent unnecessary interest rate increases during supply shocks, giving businesses more stability and breathing room to invest and recover. Using examples like Scott Sumner's nominal GDP futures contracts, Pudner outlines practical implementation methods that align with free market principles while potentially delivering the current government's "growth, growth, growth" mission. With historical context showing that monetary policy regimes typically evolve over time, Pudner argues the Bank of England has an opportunity to lead monetary innovation as it did in the early 1990s with inflation targeting. Discover why this shift could create a more stable macroeconomic environment and how it might reshape Britain's economic landscape. Read Pudner's complete paper "Rethinking Monetary Policy" at iea.org.uk and learn more about the IEA's work at insider.iea.org.uk. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe
The Institute of Economic Affairs podcast examines some of the pressing issues of our time. Featuring some of the top minds in Westminster and beyond, the IEA podcast brings you weekly commentary, analysis, and debates. insider.iea.org.uk
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