Why have wealth taxes failed in many countries? Could taxing the wealthy solve the problem of income inequality? How is a wealth tax different from income tax?

In this episode of Zero Down, we explore all this and much more.

Movies often tell a story of people, their culture, of human emotions and of historic events. But they also weave for us a representation of the economy of the period. Moreover, cinema often has the power to influence the economy by providing numerous jobs, being successful foreign exports, by dictating our consumer behaviour, our travel plans and even by ushering in new technology!

In the latest episode of Zero Down (and the first one recorded remotely in quarantine) we look at the close relationship between movies and the economy.

Today, the idea of consumerism is perceived in two contrasting ways.

One is the benevolent view of the consumer interests, consumer protection, and the power of the consumer. It emphasizes on consumers having information of the products available in the marketplace, giving them legal mechanisms to empower their participation in the marketplace etc.

The other is of consumerism being selfish, shallow, destructive, and exploitative. It is characterized as the negative force that leads people to needlessly consume more and more goods at the cost of their own and the planet’s health.

In this episode of Zero Down, we delve into the world of consumerism and how it fits into today's culture.

Climate change and environmental degradation are a few of the most pressing challenges of our time. This episode of zero down evaluates the economic aspects of the problem. It brings together environmentalism and economics and explores the political, practical, and moral aspects of economics in environmentalism. This episode urges us to question whether we are banking on the right set of ideas to undo the damage inflicted on the environment.

Have you ever wondered what is the price one pays for whistleblowing, if not more importantly, questioned whether there should be a price for whistleblowing in the first place? In this episode, Zero Down explores the consequences and costs of whistleblowing, which range from being fired to being exiled to even being murdered.

Copyright is something we're all vaguely familiar with and often even unknowingly interact with. Zero Down explores copyright, fair use, and what might be ahead for both.

A piece of art of itself has no utility- one can’t wear it, live in it, drive it, or even eat it. And yet we find millions, if not billions, of dollars being spent on art. What secrets lie behind the demand and supply of art work? Why do people buy art? How is art priced? Find answers to these and many other such questions in this episode of Zero Down.

For the last few months there have been several demands and announcements of farm loan waivers across the country. Zero Down investigates why these arose and whether they are a good policy move.

How does the future look like with self driven cars becoming a reality? Tune in to find out!

Have you ever faced a moral dilemma in choosing between a manually driven pedal rickshaw, and a pedal rickshaw with a motor? In this episode, we explore the economics and the ethics of such a choice.