Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/07/584032956/obama-trump-and-trade
Summary: THE INDICATOR discusses the Trump administration trade policy thus far regarding the tariffs on solar panels and washing machines that were implemented during Obama’s administration. How much of an impact do tariffs actually make on a country’s economy, if they do at all?
Original Air Date: February 7, 2018
Length: 5 minutes 18 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/03/21/world/melinda-gates
Summary: Work around the house and for the family is unpaid work and mostly done by women. This reduces their labor force participation and ultimately hurts the GDP of a country. Melinda Gates suggests reducing the work through innovation for the developing countries and redistributing the work amongst partners for developed countries. Higher levels of equity between the sexes will contribute to a stronger social fabric and economy.
Original Air Date: March 23, 2016
Length: 8 minutes and 29 seconds
Summary: Learn about a little group in North Korea, called the ‘donju.’ The economic prosperity that they developed went on to support the country’s nuclear program and contributed to the growth of their economy. This was all made possible when Kim Jong Un began allowing consultants from overseas to educate North Korean entrepreneurs on accounting, trade, and management. They did this without daring to actually call it a spread of capitalism, as North Korea still remains a strict socialist country.
Original Air Date: October 13, 2017
Length: 24 minutes 25 seconds
Discussion prompt (1): Having listened to this podcast, what type of economic system do you think North Korea has? What impact do you think this system has on people, businesses and the government. Use specific examples from the podcast to support your answer.
Discussion Prompt (2): The podcast points out that in N Korea’s economic system “the state technically owns everything.” How does this impact the ‘Donju’? Think particularly how it impacts the incentives they face to start and grow a business (contributing to economic development).
Discussion Prompt (3): Why would entrepreneurship not be something typically observed in a Centrally Planned/Socialist country? How are the economic incentives of this system related to this lack of entrepreneurship? According to this podcast, how did the economic actions of the Donju contribute to economic growth in N. Korea?
Summary: In this podcast, economics meets finance. We learn how Stanley Fischer, the departing vice chair of the Fed, connects interest rates to the stock market, how he views the level of transparency of the Fed, and we learn his input on how the country’s economy has been functioning as a whole.
Original Air Date: October 11, 2017
Length: 5 minutes 28 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/041917-mtech
Summary: “Move Fast and Break Things” is a newly released book about the monopolistic market structure of the internet. Marketplace interviews Jonathan Taplin, the author of the book, who is the tour manager for Bob Dylan. They discuss how the monopoly structure set up by the technology companies has ruined the communal nature of the internet. Also discussed is one silicon valley entrepreneur who left San Francisco for Minneapolis.
Original Air Date: April 19, 2017
Length: 7 minutes 35 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04262017-mtech
Summary: Hacktivism is a topic for debate with the latest flurry of activity on the internet. Marketplace interviews a former hacktivist, who served time, but now is at a security firm. They discuss the value of hacktivism, and how technology’s role affects government. Also discussed is Phoenix’s rise as a technology hub, with autonomous cars being tested in Arizona.
Original Air Date: April 26, 2017
Length: 7 minutes 25 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04202017-mtech
Summary: “Archer” debuted when the internet was taking off. Marketplace interviews the show’s technical director and actress about the role the internet plays in the success of the show. Marketplace also introduces Philadelphia’s reaction to Silicon Valley, and the recruitment of tech workers to the city.
Original Air Date: April 20, 2017
Length: 7 minutes 13 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/10/19/498571623/episode-730-self-checkout
Summary: Self checkout has become a staple in grocery stores, but back in 1992 they were considered a laughing stock. Planet Money discusses self checkout with their creator, and considers what impact automation has on service and employment.
Original Air Date: October 19, 2016
Length: 20 minutes 27 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/08/04/541643346/episode-787-google-is-big-is-that-bad
Summary: The Planet Money team focus on the recent European Commission decision that Google violated anti trust rules. They discuss the context of the seven year consideration of the question whether Google has too much power over the Internet. Includes consideration of how the question is viewed differently in the U.S. and how this specific case helps us think generally about issues of competition.
Original Air Date: August 4, 2017
Length: 16:42
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/09/14/493810206/episode-724-cat-scam
Summary: The internet was supposed to eliminate middlemen, creating an area where consumers can buy directly from the manufacturers. However, the internet is filled with middlemen to the point that middlemen are worried about other middlemen. Planet Money discusses how the biggest companies on the internet (eBay and Amazon) are middlemen.
Original Air Date: September 14, 2016
Length: 21 minutes 5 seconds
Link: 
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