The Rhodes Center Podcast with Mark Blyth

• The story of capitalism, as told by its critics

  For as long as this thing we call “capitalism” has existed, it has had its fair share of critics. (You’ve heard more than a few of them on this very podcast.)On this episode, Mark talks with someone whose new book makes clear that when it comes to understanding this globe-spanning economic system - where it came from, how it’s shaped our world, and where it’s going – those critics might be some of our best guides. John Cassidy is a staff writer at The New Yorker covering politics and economics, and his new book, “Capitalism and Its Critics: A History from the Industrial Revolution to AI,” tells the story of capitalism in a way you haven’t heard before. Learn more about and purchase “Capitalism and Its Critics: A History from the Industrial Revolution to AI”Transcript coming soon to our website

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• The extraction industry powering the green transition

  Lithium is an essential ingredient of most modern electronics. It helps to power our phones, our laptops, and increasingly EVs and other key parts of the green transition. As Thea Riofrancos, a political scientist, environmentalist, and author of the new book “Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism,” explains to Mark on this episode, the story of lithium — how it's mined, how it’s refined, and how it makes its way around the world — isn’t just a business story. It's a story of geopolitics and power.On this episode, Mark and Thea discuss the surprising story of lithium extraction, how the race to electrify our energy supply is reshaping the global economy, and what it all means for the future of our planet. Learn more about and purchase Extraction: The Frontiers of Green CapitalismWatch Mark and Thea’s discussion at the Watson SchoolTranscript coming soon to our website

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• Independent from who exactly? Central banks and democracy (part two)

  This is the second part of a two-part series featuring Leah Downey, a political economist at King’s College London and author of the new book “Our Money: Monetary Policy as if Democracy Matters.” Mark Blyth and Leah discuss what has happened at the Federal Reserve since they first talked about Leah’s book in May, what Leah’s book has to say about it, and what it all means for the future of central banks in the US and beyond.Learn more about and purchase “Our Money: Monetary Policy as if Democracy Matters.”Transcript coming soon to our website.

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• Independent from who exactly? Central banks and democracy (part 1)

  This is the first in a two-part series featuring Leah Downey, political theorist at King’s College London and author of the new book “Our Money: Monetary Policy as if Democracy Matters.” On this part (recorded in May) Mark Blyth and Leah discuss her book, and take a look at the historical evolution of the relationship between independent central banks and democratic politics. In the second part (which will come out next week) Mark and Leah explore how this relationship has changed in the US in the second Trump term, and what it might mean for US monetary policy and US politics going forward. Learn more about and purchase “Our Money: Monetary Policy as if Democracy Matters.”Transcript coming soon to our website.

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• The role of universities in a democratic society (a collaboration with “Brown 2026”)

  What’s the role of a university in a democratic society? What responsibility do universities have to foster the public good, and what responsibilities does the public have to support centers of education and research? These have become some of the most fraught and pressing questions in our current moment. But of course, they’re also timeless questions — ones that are as old as the United States itself. On this episode, Mark explores these questions (and more) with literary scholar Kevin McLaughlin and historian Karin Wulf. In addition to having thought deeply on just these types of issues, Kevin and Karin are also the co-chairs of “Brown 2026,” an initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and exploring the past and future role of universities in a democratic society. Guests on this episode:Kevin McLaughlin is a literary scholar and director of the John Nicholas Brown Center for Advanced Study at Brown. Karin Wulf is a historian and director and librarian of the John Carter Brown Library.Learn more about Brown 2026. Transcript coming soon to our website.

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