Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/07/09/200401407/episode-471-the-eddie-murphy-rule
Summary: The Planet Money team consider the movie Trading Places and it’s scheme to make millions short-selling commodity futures (specifically frozen orange juice concentrate). Includes explanations of commodity futures trading, short-selling, and regulation of futures trading.
Length: 26:05 min
Original air date: July 9, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/07/02/198077962/episode-470-killing-fannie-mae
Summary: The Planet Money team revisits the question what the U.S. government should do with the mortgage ‘backers’, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which it took over as part of the financial crisis bailout. Includes a discussion of opposing views on whether the government should be involved in the housing market, and an outlook on what is politically most likely to be the long term outcome for these entities.
Length: 25:20 min
Original air date: July 2, 2013
Summary: Economist, Henry Jacoby, explains how an economist might introduce a carbon tax in the United States to address climate change. Includes a discussion of the conflicts of economics vs. politics.
Length: 19:51 min
Original air date: July 12, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/08/06/209598383/episode-477-waiting-for-robot-nannies
Summary: A discussion of the cultural obstacles to women in Japan working full time. Includes consideration of the following: impact on the Japanese economy overall, impact on demographics, related issues in the childcare industry, including impediments in the form of unintended consequences of government regulations .
Length: 14:22 min
Original air date: August 6, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/07/09/199048226/how-to-spend-442-on-a-15-minute-cab-ride
Summary: New York City is implementing new regulations on pricing in the pedi-cab market. Includes interview of pedi-cab drivers who are for and against this new regulation, as well as some of the challenges of regulating the industry.
Length: 3:51 min
Original air date: July 5, 2013
Summary: Describes the raisin industry in the United States and how historic events resulted in a government sanctioned raisin cartel. Includes discussion of one producer breaking from the cartel, efforts by the cartel to enforce its collective actions, and other political and economic impacts of this defection.
Length: 21:51 min
Original air date: August 9, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/04/26/179295426/episode-454-the-lollipop-war
Summary: Planet money explores the struggle between two iconic American industries—the lollipop makers and the sugar growers— over “fair” regulations set forth by Congress in the farm bill.
Length: 19:19 min
Original air date: April 26, 2013
Discussion Prompt: What are the economic impacts of the subsidy on sugar for: farmers, candy producers, U.S. citizens, U.S. consumers? Why do you think sugar subsidies persist, and why do you think this fight about sugar has been ongoing in the U.S. government for so many years?
Summary: Discusses an immigrant woman’s ability to live below the poverty line while also utilizing all the resources available to her to provide the best life to her young son. Discusses whether transfer payments are good or bad investments.
Length: 22:17 min
Original air date: May 24, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4722627&ft=1&f=
Summary: Discusses case between Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Intel over Intel’s alleged coercive behavior in the market for computer chips. Intel has market dominance in the computer processor market.
Length: 1:58 min
Original air date: June 29, 2005
Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1788989&ft=1&f=
Summary: Discusses European Commission’s decision to fine Microsoft for monopolistic practices. The Commission found that Microsoft abused its dominance of the market to force consumers to use their Media Player software.
Length: 3:20 min
Original air date: March 24, 2004
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