Swanneying around Gothenburg this week, the thought stuck me how do these people do it? Why do the Scandinavians do this so well economically, from income, to health, to women feeling safe walking alone at night, Scandinavian countries lead the way, why? Starting from a car wash analogy, we interrogate wage equality, why higher wages at the lower-end are critical to innovation and creating a more fair society - something the Scandinavian countries seem to have figured out ahead of everyone else! This week, let's take some Swedish lessons. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

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Scandinavian Models

The aim of this weekly podcast is to make economics easy, uncomplicated and accessible. With the world at a political, technological and financial tipping point, economics has never been so important to all of us and yet, it’s made inaccessible and complicated by so many. I’ve always thought what is complicated is rarely important and what is important is rarely complicated.
That will be our motto.
Every week we are going to tease out some big economic or political issue facing us, not just here in Ireland but in Europe and further afield. Globalisation has brought us all together. We all face similar challenges whether you live in Dublin, London, Minnesota or Milan.
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News & Politics


 Why do wealthy people live in houses originally built for the less affluent? Despite vast improvements in living standards over the years — lower infant mortality rates, faster access to life-saving drugs, and increased life expectancy — today, even modest homes are un-affordable for many. Consequently, wealthy individuals find themselves competing for properties originally intended for lower-income families. This trend not only highlights the scarcity of suitable housing but also deepens social stratification, as the affluent outbid others, driving up prices and displacing those with fewer resources. Is there an easy fix? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

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2024:38 Rich in Poor Houses

 The Tories are seeking revenge for Brexit by exploiting immigration policy. Having been out-foxed, out-thought and out-gunned by Dublin on Brexit negotiations, they are extracting a price- that price is the framing of the new Irish election. By encouraging the relocation of asylum seekers to Ireland, the Tories are effectively using Ireland as a bargaining chip to pressure France into accepting a deal on immigration, all while avoiding responsibility for asylum seekers themselves. They are playing Ireland like a pawn against the EU, as revenge for their humiliation during Brexit negotiations. In this complex game of politics, the Tories could emerge as the agenda-setters for the next Irish election. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

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2024:37 The Rwanda-isation of Ireland

Last week, the football team I play with went on a trip to Italian organised by one of our lads Camilio Borza a member of the Irish Italian tribe. In the the vibrant tapestry of Irish history, few immigrants have left their mark like the "Eye-talians" with their chippers which have fed generations of Irish people. This week, the podcast explores the captivating journey of Italian immigrants to Ireland, tracing the roots of one of the country's earliest and most successful immigrant communities. Hailing predominantly from three small villages in Lazio, Italy, these immigrants brought with them a rich cultural heritage that has profoundly shaped Irish society. Join us as we uncover the untold tales of resilience, incredible hard work, integration, and the enduring bond between Ireland and Italy. And...most importantly our brilliant researcher on the pod is Eliza Notaro, another Dublin Italian!! Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

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2024:36 Cod & Chips: The Story of Irish/Italians

This podcast delves into the intricate interplay of politics and housing, a phenomenon not unique to Ireland but deeply emblematic there. It examines how the control, or lack thereof, of housing can shape political fortunes. From Ireland to Britain, Canada to Australia, the "politics of housing" is a pivotal and global issue, particularly for younger generations. While Eastern European countries, with reasonable house prices, see happier young populations, Ireland faces a crisis where housing benefits foreign investors over its own citizens. The failure to understand this has left the current political class out of touch and in a precarious position, highlighting the need for a reform. So it may be time to grab your pitchfork! Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

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2024:35 The Political Fallout of Housing

In part two of our mini-series on Turkey, we delve deeper into the electrifying economic history of Istanbul, from the Byzantine to the Ottoman empires and up to today. We explore how these empires sent shockwaves through history, shaping the world as we know it. Without the Ottomans, Columbus might never have discovered America, there'd be possibly no Renaissance, no dominance of Europe, no humanism. And what about Attaturk? The most impressive leader of the 20th century? Hope you enjoy it. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

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Scandinavian Models

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