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.wbur.org/npr/207858449/for-ethiopian-women-construction-jobs-offer-a-better-life
Summary: Discusses the impacts on women and on various markets in Ethiopia as women enter the construction industry. Example of gender pay gap.
Length: 7:49 min
Original air date: August 7, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/06/25/195641030/episode-468-kid-rock-vs-the-scalpers
Summary:The Planet Money team interview Kid Rock on his strategies to combat after-market sales of concert tickets by scalpers. Includes a discussion of changes in the concert industry, firm strategies to price differentiate and consumer views on such strategies.
Length: 19:05 min
Original air date: June 27, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/06/11/190746413/episode-465-myanmar-opens-up
Summary: In the context of its t-shirt project (see tags) Planet Money considers whether or not producing t-shirts in Bangladesh is helpful to the country’s economy and people. This debate follows the tragedies in the garment industry in Bangladesh in 2012-2013. Features an interview with a woman who was worker in a garment factory in Bangladesh in the late 90s, and is now a labor activist, and a discussion of the role of garment manufacturing in the economic development of many countries.
Length: 16:48
Original air date: May 14, 2013
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/06/11/190746413/episode-465-myanmar-opens-up
Summary: Planet Money explores the challenges of businesses entering a newly open economy. An entrepreneur faces first-mover challenges common to developing countries, including lacking financial and telecommunications infrastructure. An executive from Coca-Cola revisits the company’s history as the company introduces Coke to a new audience and challenges its reputation as a luxury good.
Length: 18:39
Original air date June 11, 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
Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120624314
Summary: A look at the markets for prescription and generic drugs in the context of the impending patent expiration of a large portion of pharmaceuticals under the “patent cliff” of 2011. Discusses patents creating monopoly power for brand name drugs and compares that to the market for generics.
Length: 4:24 minutes
Original air date: November 4, 2009
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