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Foreign Policy economics columnist Adam Tooze, a history professor and a popular author, is encyclopedic about basically everything: from the COVID shutdown, to climate change, to pasta sauce. On our new podcast, Tooze and FP deputy editor Cameron Abadi will look at two data points each week that explain the world: one drawn from the week’s headlines and the other from just about anywhere else Tooze takes us. Check out Adam Tooze’s column at https://foreignpolicy.com/author/adam-tooze/.
Total 169 episodes
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Why Crypto Can't Buy Happiness

Why Crypto Can't Buy Happiness

The cryptocurrency market has lost some $1.1 trillion in value over recent months. On this episode, Adam and Cameron discuss what accounts for the tumble and what function crypto serves beyond its appeal to financial speculators. Also on the show, the last of our lifecycle segments focuses on inheritance and, more specifically, on where the vast fortunes accumulated by the Baby Boomer generation will go when its members die off. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
35:5204/02/2022
The Economic Legacy of Boris Johnson

The Economic Legacy of Boris Johnson

If Prime Minister Boris Johnson loses his job over the the scandals now engulfing the British government, his political obituary will focus on just three things: Brexit, COVID, and Partygate. On this week's episode, Adam and Cameron discuss the sordid legacy of a man who seemed almost invincible just two years ago, and analyze the economic impact of Johnson's policies. Also on the show, part three of the lifecycle series: The Tawdry Arithmetic of the Midlife Crisis. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38:1728/01/2022
Inside the Davos Bubble

Inside the Davos Bubble

It's been lampooned as a gathering of "the rich and the clueless." U2 lead singer Bono referred to its attendees as "fat cats in the snow." So what makes the World Economic Forum's annual conference in Davos so closely watched? Co-host Adam Tooze has been there twice and would have traveled to Switzerland again this year had the confab not been relegated to online-only status thanks to Omicron. Instead, he talks to Cameron Abadi about what really happens in Davos and how the super rich differentiate themselves from the run-of-the-mill aristocrats there. Also on the show: Part two of our lifecycle series, this one focusing on education. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31:4521/01/2022
How Would Sanctions Work Against Russia Over Ukraine?

How Would Sanctions Work Against Russia Over Ukraine?

Talks with Russia to resolve the Ukraine crisis hit a dead end this week. As Foreign Policy reports, top Biden administration officials have reiterated the possibility of economic actions against Russia if it invades Ukraine. ​​On Ones and Tooze this week, Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze explain how potential U.S. sanctions against Russia would work, and analyze the state of Russia’s economy in general.  Later in the show, our hosts delve into the first of a four-part series on what they’re calling “life cycle” economics – basically, the macroeconomic implications of the biggest stages of our lives. They start with conception, or the cost of creating life. More specifically, they look at why the demand for egg freezing has soared during the pandemic. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34:5114/01/2022
The Economics of the Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones

The Economics of the Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones

After watching the Beatles: Get Back sessions, Cameron Abadi was inspired to dive deeper into the economics of the Beatles versus the Rolling Stones with Adam Tooze. So, rock lovers rejoice, that’s what you’ll get in the second half of Ones and Tooze this week.  But first, Tooze and Abadi dig into the heated online debate over price controls. For those not following, the internet somewhat broke over a Guardian op-ed arguing that price controls could fight inflation. Tooze tempers the hysteria and looks at the historic data. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
37:0007/01/2022
From the Archive: How Inflation Works

From the Archive: How Inflation Works

When we first aired this episode of Ones and Tooze on why prices are rising, analysts were warning of a possible inflation crisis. Now, two months later, the crisis is here, with inflation at a four-decade high. Listen to hosts Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss how inflation works and what it means for ordinary people around the world.  Also on the show: what Germany’s increasing demand for Italian pasta says about the European Union economy.  This is our last episode of 2021, so happy new year! We’ll be back in January. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25:4524/12/2021
The Pentagon vs. Walmart

The Pentagon vs. Walmart

Congress has approved a $768 billion defense budget for 2022. If the Pentagon were a private company, would it be bigger than Amazon? Walmart? Also, can $859 billion buy you love? Or at least domestic goodwill? That's the amount of money Americans will spend on themselves and their loved ones ahead of the Christmas holiday. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30:5717/12/2021
Is Democracy Better for the Economy?

Is Democracy Better for the Economy?

With President Joe Biden's Democracy Summit underway, Adam and Cameron discuss whether democratic principles help or hinder economies. The answer is more complicated than you might think. Also, if you have an old Ford Escort or other classic car, hang onto it. You might get rich. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
32:3010/12/2021
How Sanctions Work (and Why They Often Don't)

How Sanctions Work (and Why They Often Don't)

U.S.-led sanctions have devastated Iran's economy over the past decade but have failed to curb the country's nuclear program. On this episode, Adam and Cameron discuss why sanctions sometimes work—and often don't. Also on the show: The travel and tourism industries accounted for a whopping 10.4 percent of GDP worldwide. Then COVID-19 came along. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34:3803/12/2021
The Great Resignation/Pet Food

The Great Resignation/Pet Food

10.4 million—that’s the number of jobs that are currently unfilled in the U.S. economy as of September, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s not much different than the record high of 10.9 million openings that were recorded back in July. As vaccinations have increased, and the economy has continued to open up, employers have been finding it incredibly difficult to find workers to fill jobs.   Economists are calling it The Great Resignation—this phenomenon of people exiting the labor force in droves, and employers struggling to fill their openings. Adam and Cameron examine The Great Resignation and what it may portend for the economy. And then in 2nd segment the two discuss the billions of dollars Americans spend each year in the growing market for pet food. Is this consumerism run amok or does the connection between humans and pets tell a different story about the value of animal companionship?   Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
35:5819/11/2021
What the Infrastructure Bill Will do for Electric Cars in the United States

What the Infrastructure Bill Will do for Electric Cars in the United States

President Biden's infrastructure bill allocates $15 billion to making electric cars more popular in the United States. Cameron and Adam discuss how that money will be spent and why the United States is still way behind China when it comes to infrastructure for electric cars. Also on this episode: Why COVID has been terrible for the American healthcare economy. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34:2312/11/2021
Jerome Powell vs. The Bond Markets

Jerome Powell vs. The Bond Markets

On this episode, Adam Tooze and Cameron Abadi discuss the moves and countermoves of the bond market and the Federal Reserve Chairman in response to inflation. Also: A new alliance of banks and investment funds is committing $130 trillion to carbon neutral projects in the next 30 years. Green altruism or green washing? Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31:5905/11/2021
A Guide to the COP26 Climate Summit

A Guide to the COP26 Climate Summit

On this episode, why Adam Tooze is optimistic ahead of the climate summit in Glasgow and how COP26 really works. Also: The food crisis around the world that could become a humanitarian crisis and even a political one. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
32:3629/10/2021
Inflation: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Inflation: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Inflation is rising quickly. Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss the who, the why and the whattheheck? Also, why are Germans are eating so much Italian pasta and what does it tell us about the European economy? Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24:3221/10/2021
The Economics Revolution and the Nobel Prize

The Economics Revolution and the Nobel Prize

This week Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss the economists who won the Nobel Prize—for helping make the science of economics…more scientific. Also: Whatever happened to cap and trade? The strategy for stemming climate change is largely dead in the United States but surging in Europe. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31:2615/10/2021
Scandal at the IMF and World Bank

Scandal at the IMF and World Bank

On this episode of Ones and Tooze, Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss the scandal swirling around Kristalina Georgieva, who runs the International Monetary Fund. Also, what the steep rise in China’s life expectancy says about China—and about the United States.  Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26:3408/10/2021
Is Olaf Scholz the German Joe Biden?

Is Olaf Scholz the German Joe Biden?

On this episode of Ones and Tooze, Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss the results of the German election and the economic policies of the winner, Olaf Scholz, of the Social Democratic Party. Also: Why is Greece, a country with huge debt and a terrible financial record, able to borrow money virtually for free? Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26:3201/10/2021
Is Evergrande the New Lehman Brothers?

Is Evergrande the New Lehman Brothers?

On this episode of Ones and Tooze, Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss the Chinese company Evergrande and its $300 billion debt—that has prompted panic in U.S. markets and raised fears of economic contagion. Also: Why other wealthy countries have bullet trains while the United States has... Amtrak. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34:1524/09/2021
Dancing on the Debt Ceiling?

Dancing on the Debt Ceiling?

On this first episode of Ones and Tooze, Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss two stratospheric numbers: 28.5 trillion and 3.3 billion. One refers in dollars to the U.S. debt ceiling and the other corresponds to the number of people furloughed around the world during the pandemic. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26:3717/09/2021