The Sound of Economics is bringing you a summer 2023 special series, 'Read with Bruegel.' In this series, we have the pleasure of hosting renowned authors who will discuss various economic issues based on their insightful books. We hope this conversation will inspire you to explore their books and offer you some food for thought during your summer break.



In this episode of the series, Nicolas Véron welcomes Ulrich Bindseil to discuss his latest book ‘Central Banking before 1800: A Rehabilitation’.



Véron and Bindeil ponder the definition of central banking, whilst analysing pre-1800 central banking and the role of numerous other institutions across the European continent. They discuss the long and colourful history of central banking before 1800, from which important lessons for today's debates can be drawn.

Read with Bruegel: Central Banking before 1800: A Rehabilitation

The Sound of Economics brings you insights, debates, and research-based discussions on economic policy in Europe and beyond.

The podcast is produced by Bruegel, an independent and non-doctrinal think tank based in Brussels. It seeks to contribute to European and global economic policy-making through open, fact-based, and policy-relevant research, analysis, and debate.

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

News

Government

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie sits down with Tony Connelly, Europe editor of Irish public service broadcaster RTÉ, and David Gow, who chairs the Royal Society of Edinburgh's EU-Scotland initiative. They discuss EU-UK relations after Brexit, how Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales fit into the picture, upcoming British elections, and long-term prospects for Irish unity. This episode was recorded on 6 June 2024.

EU-UK relations: Brexit, Scotland, Ireland

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Bruegel’s non-resident fellow Dirk Schoenmaker presents his latest book ‘Corporate Finance for Long-Term Value’ with host Rebecca Christie and CFO at Nederlandse Gasunie, Janneke Hermes.



They talk about how corporate finance and sustainability can go together. New models can help firms quantify the cost of social and environmental factors, so they can plan better for the long term. The podcast also explores how investors can guide funding to certain companies and projects without sacrificing return and thus speed up the transition to a sustainable economy.






How the financial sector can speed up the green transition

Bruegel and the Financial Times partnered up to host a debate featuring lead candidates from major EU political parties on EU economic issues, namely growth, the single market, economic security and the EU budget. The participants of the debate were:

Sandro Gozi, Renew Europe Now
Ursula von der Leyen, The European People's Party
Nicolas Schmit, the Party of European Socialists
Anders Vistisen, Identity and Democracy Party

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie sits down with Bruegel Senior fellow Maria Demertzis, FT Brussels bureau chief Henry Foy, also moderators of the debate, to unpack the views they gathered from the event, discuss how the elections are likely to turn out and what will happen afterwards.  

 

Relevant events and publications:



Economic choices for Europe: EU leadership debate 2024, Bruegel-Financial Times event, 21 May 2024

Visions for Europe: Economic expert debate for the 2024 EU elections, Bruegel-Financial Times event, 15 April 2024
 Saint-Amans, P. (2024) ‘Broader border taxes: a new option for European Union budget resources’, Policy Brief 06/2024, Bruegel


Europe's economic future

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Yuyun Zhan talks to Bruegel Senior fellow Alicia García-Herrero and President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Jens Eskelund, about foreign companies doing business and investing in China. They discuss the difficulties of navigating current geopolitical tensions as well as China’s domestic environment. Jens presented the latest results from the European Business in China Business Confidence Survey 2024, which shows that despite the re-opening of China’s borders in early 2023, business confidence in the market continued on a downward trend. They discuss what measures the Chinese government has pursued to appeal to investors, debating whether they are persuasive enough.



This episode is part of the ZhōngHuá Mundus series of The Sound of Economics. ZhōngHuá Mundus is a newsletter by Bruegel, bringing you monthly analysis of China in the world, as seen from Europe. Sign up now to receive it in your mailbox!

Should foreign companies still do business in China?

In a world of increasing uncertainties, the European Union’s need to protect itself from new shocks is on the rise. Pandemic-related supply disruptions,  the energy crisis provoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and economic coercion coming from China have all shown that the EU needs to do more to prepare itself for what may come. But how should Europe de-risk its external relationships without foregoing the benefits of trade? Rebecca Christie talks to Bruegel Director Jeromin Zettelmeyer and CEPR President Beatrice Weder di Mauro about their new report, “Paris Report 2: Europe’s Economic Security”.



Relevant publications:


Pisani-Ferry, J, B Weder Di Mauro and J Zettelmeyer (eds) (2024), ‘Paris Report 2: Europe's Economic Security‘, CEPR Press, Paris & London
Pisani-Ferry, J., B. Weder di Mauro and J. Zettelmeyer (2024) ‘How to de-risk: European economic security in a world of interdependence’, Policy Brief 07/2024, Bruegel


Read with Bruegel: Central Banking before 1800: A Rehabilitation

Download our free app to listen on your phone