This episode explores how six medieval kings helped shape the English state. From John and the Magna Carta to Edward III’s reforms and Richard II’s downfall. Professor Caroline Burt & Professor Richard Partington explain how war, taxation, common law, Parliament, and the struggle for lawful rule turned kingship from a personal power into something more accountable and institutional. We unpack what made a “good” ruler during this period, why charisma and temperament mattered, and how Christianity and European politics influenced governance.

Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State:

University of Cambridge Publications: https://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/publication/arise-england-six-kings-and-making-english-state

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arise-England-Kings-Making-English/dp/0571311989

Professor Caroline Burt:

https://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/people/dr-caroline-burt

Professor Richard Partington:

https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/research/academics/fellows/richard-partington

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:45 Early ‘English’ Governance

05:57 Synopsis of English Kings (1199 to 1399)

16:43 What Constitutes a Good King?

22:45 Is John Over Villainised?

28:07 The Importance of Charisma

31:28 Did John’s Cruelty Lead to Magna Carta?

36:27 The Surprising Success of Henry 3rd

42:24 How Christianity Influenced the English State

50:00 A Great & Terrible King: Edward 1st

55:40 Do Bad Rulers Follow Good Rulers?

58:51 The Reign of Edward 3rd

01:06:19 The Tragedy of Richard 2nd

01:12:45 Were the English Kings…English?

01:19:20 What 7th King Would they Add?

01:23:19 What Lessons Can we Learn?

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Uncover the surprising truths behind cousin marriage and its global prevalence.

Shocking data shows consanguinity occurs in approximately 10% of marriages worldwide, with some countries like Pakistan occurring in at least half of all marriages.

But what are the real health and societal impacts?

In this eye-opening episode, economist Munir shares groundbreaking research using 40 million genealogical histories from the US, revealing that children of cousin marriages face a five-year reduction in lifespan, with effects extending throughout life, not just childhood. You'll discover how cultural, economic, and societal factors sustain these practices, even in wealthy nations with strong education systems, challenging common assumptions.

Professor Munir Squires:

https://economics.ubc.ca/profile/munir-squires/

“Health Effects of Cousin Marriage: Evidence from US Genealogical Records”:

https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aeri.20230544

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:41 How Common is Cousin Marriage?

05:24 Health Effects of Cousin Marriage (Academic Literature)

10:52 Munir’s Research

24:46 Results of Munir’s Research

30:19 Navigating Cultural & Religious Sensitivity

32:31 Broader Social & Economic Implications

43:43 Why Industrialisation Changed Marriage Patterns

54:26 Why cousin marriage persisted historically

57:22 Future Research? (Economic & Social Impacts)

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Small economies often defy expectations, thriving despite limited resources and geographic challenges. This episode explores their surprising resilience and unique strategies, revealing lessons that could transform larger nations' approaches to growth. Discover how globalization, digital trade, and strategic specialization propel these nations to success, and learn about their governance agility and stability.

Despite facing global shocks, many small economies have shown remarkable resilience. Join us for insights from development economist Robert Read, as we uncover the real drivers of economic success and the future of small nations.

Professor Robert Read:

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/people/robert-read

“Growth volatility and resilience in small economies: The impacts of the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic”:

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781032703893-5/growth-volatility-resilience-small-economies-harvey-armstrong-robert-read

Timestamps:

00:00: Intro

00:39: Why Study Small Economies?

08:06: What is a Small Economy?

14:29: Robert’s Research

26:18: Why Have Small Economies Been Successful?

35:50: Are Natural Resources a Curse?

43:57: Why Have Large Economies Done Badly?

49:50: Economic Policy & Money in Small Economies

59:42: Strong Small Economies During Financial Crisis

01:05:34: Lessons for Small Economies

01:14:52: Climate Change Impacts on Small Economies

01:17:15: Future Research on Small Economies & Takeaways

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Most countries focus on the political virtues of representation, but what if quotas actually change the quality of governance? I sit down with Professor Patrick Francois to uncover how strategic use of political quotas, especially in India, can break the grip of identity-driven politics and elevate governance standards. As ever, please like and subscribe if you enjoy! 😊

Professor Patrick Francois:

https://economics.ubc.ca/profile/patrick-francois/

‘Reservations and the politics of fear’:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0047272723001457

Timestamps:

00:00: Intro

00:42: What are Political Quotas?

02:42: Political Quotas in India

08:25: Are Political Quotas D.E.I?

13:50: How Common are Political Quotas?

16:57: Political Quotas & Socialism

23:37: Patrick’s Research & the ‘Politics of Fear’

32:48: How Political Quotas Improve Governance

37:08: Are Political Quotas Needed in Strong Liberal Democracies?

44:03: How Do You Measure Governance Quality?

51:34: Are Political Quotas Pragmatic to Implement?

58:17: Future Research to Build Upon Patrick’s Findings

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#environmentalecnomics #carbontaxes #environment #climatechange

Max sits down with Professor Nicholas Hanley to learn about the field of environmental economics, its goals and the challenges of measuring environmental impacts from economic activities. They discover how effective policy is designed for promoting positive environmental actions while managing negative externalities, in addition to the common mechanisms governments implement to meet these objectives.

Professor Nick Hanley:

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/staff/nicholashanley/

Environmental economics in theory and practice:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmental-Economics-Practice-Nick-Hanley/dp/033397137X/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=eSt37&content-id=amzn1.sym.f9a1288a-66fe-4587-95f9-1387021c317b&pf_rd_p=f9a1288a-66fe-4587-95f9-1387021c317b&pf_rd_r=262-2263400-8564258&pd_rd_wg=XTeJ4&pd_rd_r=e1c917de-3283-492d-a6cc-6af32f222b23

Timestamps:

00:00: Intro

00:43: What Are the Goals of Environmental Economics

06:32: Types of Environmental Economics Policy

10:06: Tradeable Permit Schemes

23:36: Carbon & Other Environmental Taxes

29:51: How to Design Environmental Policies with the Right Incentives

39:24: How Behavioural Economics Factors into Environmental Economics

47:29: Biggest Changes in Environmental Economics in Nick’s Career

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#opioidepidemic #pharmaceuticalindustry #addiction #publichealth #USpolitics #PurduePharma #fentanyl #drugpolicy #healthcarecorruption #politicalinfluence

Max and Professor Carolina Arteaga Cabrales explore the origins, impact, and political consequences of the opioid epidemic in North America, related pharmaceutical industry practices, regulatory failures and societal effects.

Professor Carolina Arteaga Cabrales:

https://www.carolinaarteaga.com/

‘Republican Support and Economic Hardship: The Enduring Effects of the Opioid Epidemic’:

https://www.nber.org/papers/w33904

Timestamps:
00:00: Intro

00:37: The Opioid Epidemic & How it Occurred

15:53: Purdue Pharma Lawsuit

17:46: Carolina’s Research

32:15: Political Effects of the Opioid Epidemic

40:39: Decriminalisation of Drug Programmes

46:37: Would Other Health Shocks Cause the Same Effects?

51:03: Did Republican’s Campaign on the Opioid Epidemic?

54:52: Future Impacts of the Opioid Epidemic

57:40: Future Research Carolina Would Like to See

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In this episode, Max and Professor Tirthankar Roy discuss India's economic history, focusing on trade and commerce from  antiquity right up to the modern day. It is a journey through regional economies, the role of ports, the impact of the caste system, British colonization and post-independence industrialization.

India in the World Economy: From Antiquity to the Present

Cambridge University Press: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/india-in-the-world-economy/9079E07A2697FB6A122BEBFE3CC6FA13

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/India-World-Economy-Antiquity-Approaches/dp/110740147X

Professor Tirthankar Roy

https://www.lse.ac.uk/people/tirthankar-roy

Timestamps

00:00: Intro

00:39: India’s Economy (Antiquity to 1200)

12:04: Sources for Indian Economic History

15:46: An Agricultural Economy

20:28: Climate/Droughts

25:50: Caste Economics

32:11: Mughal Empires (1200 to 1600)

36:26: European Settlements/Traders (1600 to 1800)

41:59: The British Raj

53:08: Indian Socialism (1940’s to 1990’s)

59:04: Religion & Commerce

01:05:25: Future of the Indian Economy

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In this episode, Professor Thiemo Fetzer dissects how austerity policies since 2008 have reshaped society, fueled distrust in public institutions and sparked political upheaval (ultimately resulting in its influence over the EU referendum). He reveals surprising insights regarding how structural transformations, immigration incentives, and age demographics influence national identity and support for populist movements.

Professor Thiemo Fetzer https://www.trfetzer.com/

Did austerity cause Brexit? https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.20181164

Timestamps

00:00: Intro

00:39: Did Austerity Cause BREXIT?

19:09: Effects of the 2008 Financial Crisis

29:25: Implementation of Austerity (UK)

35:33: Thiemo’s Research Paper

44:35: How Benefits Recipients Affect the Economy

48:37: How the High Street Changed/Regional Identities

53:35: Regional Wealth Inequality in the United Kingdom 56:14: What Were the Alternatives to Austerity?

01:08:17: Effects of Ageing Demographics & Generous Pensions

01:24:26: What Don’t We Understand About Austerity & BREXIT?

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In this episode, we dive into the Sujaan Initiative, a community-focused program that trains and supports female and minority entrepreneurs in Mirpur Khās, Pakistan. The discussion covers how working with local male leaders fosters local buy-in, the gender and regional disparities the project tackles and the financing and governance hurdles to scaling the model across more regions.

Professor Ahmad Timsal:

https://www.derby.ac.uk/staff/ahmad-timsal/

‘Sujaan: a social enterprise of socio-economically disadvantaged women in rural Sindh, Pakistan’:

https://derby-repository.worktribe.com/output/735857/sujaan-a-social-enterprise-of-socio-economically-disadvantaged-women-in-rural-sindh-pakistan

Timestamps

00:00: Intro

00:49: The Sindh Region (Pakistan)

08:45: The Sujaan Project

14:33: Ahmad’s Motivation for the Research

17:59: Gender Disparities in Pakistan

23:20: Getting Community Buy In

31:44: Is There Support for Sujaan?

36:28: Sindh’s Feudal Mindset

45:32: How Sujaan is Providing Support

50:46: The Effects of Sujaan on the Region

54:15: What’s Next?

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Discover how war reshapes economies beyond the battlefield. Economist Clifford Thies reveals the hidden costs of conflict, from GDP distortions to social capital destruction. Learn why some nations recover faster and how institutional strength and financial strategies play a crucial role. Essential insights for anyone interested in the true economic impact of war.

Professor Clifford Thies

https://www.su.edu/faculty-staff/faculty/clifford-f-thies/

‘The Effect of War on Economic Growth’:

https://www.cato.org/cato-journal/winter-2020/effect-war-economic-growth#

Timestamps

00:00: Intro

00:41: What Happens to an Economy When War Breaks Out?

01:24: Clifford’s Research (Defining ‘War’)

04:23: How to Finance War

07:22: Clifford’s Research (What Data was Used?)

14:08: Post War Recovery (Strength of Pre-War Institutions)

20:31: Poor Post-War Recoveries (Examples)

24:22: Democratic VS Command Economies (India VS China)

29:12: Are Trade Sanctions Effective? (In War or Peace)

38:42: The Peace Dividend

43:35: Key Takeaway from Clifford’s & Other Research

46:57: What Will Russia’s Post-War Economy Look Like?

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