Burgernomics

Ross MacDowell

Ross MacDowell and Australia's top experts demystify economic topics that affect your life....crypto, blockchain, quantitative easing, the 10 year bond yield rate, carbon neutral, core inflation versus underlying inflation....let alone stagflation. These terms affect your job, your income, your mortgage and your quality of life. It’s pretty hard to plan for our prosperity, if we don’t understand basic economic concepts we hear daily? Burgernomics is a podcast where I talk to Australia’s smartest experts, asking them to demystify the economic topics that are running our lives.. Each podcast ends with the Burgernomics Test, when our expert applies their explanation to a simple hamburger guaranteeing you come away understanding.

  1. Turbocharging The Price You Pay In 170 Secs

    12/03/2024

    Turbocharging The Price You Pay In 170 Secs

    Key Points: Traditionally, the law of supply and demand dictates prices in the marketplace, where buyers and sellers agree on a price based on publicly available information. Dynamic Pricing, a system increasingly employed by sellers, adjusts prices continuously based on buyer demand. This dynamic nature allows sellers to maximize profits. However, the twist comes when the purchase price isn't publicly visible. Imagine searching for an item online and the price presented to you is determined by complex algorithms analyzing your personal data. This lack of transparency leaves consumers feeling uneasy, leading to calls for government intervention. But in a capitalist market economy, where willing buyers dictate prices, intervention becomes complicated. The integration of algorithms and data mining into dynamic pricing turbocharges the traditional supply and demand law, promising benefits like reduced business risk, increased profits, employment, and tax revenue. Yet, this advancement poses a significant challenge. With online spending skyrocketing, it becomes increasingly difficult for statistical agencies like the Australian Bureau of Statistics to produce accurate consumer price index (CPI) data. The CPI is crucial for economic policies, including setting mortgage rates by the Reserve Bank. Conclusion: As technology reshapes the way we buy and sell goods, the implications of dynamic pricing extend far beyond individual transactions. It challenges traditional economic models and raises questions about fairness and transparency in the marketplace.

    4 min
  2. Good Or Evil Doesn't Win Wars. Only Economics Wins Wars. In 110 Seconds

    12/12/2023

    Good Or Evil Doesn't Win Wars. Only Economics Wins Wars. In 110 Seconds

    Welcome to the latest episode of Burgernomics! Today, we delve into the harsh reality that economics, not notions of good or evil, often dictates the outcome of wars. Recent developments, including Vladimir Putin allocating a staggering one-third of Russia's economic output to defense, highlight the economic dimension of modern warfare. Key Points: Russia's Economic Commitment: Putin directs 33% of Russia's economic output to defense, amounting to $820 billion annually, 15 times more than Australia's projected defense expenditure. The move underscores the role of economic decisions in shaping military capabilities and strategies. Volunteer Soldiers and Economic Incentives: Russian volunteer soldiers enticed by substantial pay, earning four times the average monthly salary, will contribute to the military force. Families of soldiers receive significant compensation if killed, creating a unique economic dynamic in the armed forces. Labor Shortages and Economic Impact: The influx of men into the army leads to severe labor shortages across Russia, affecting not only the military but also the broader economy. Even penal colonies are tapped for labor, illustrating the extent of the workforce mobilization. Economic Adaptability:Russia's ability to redirect civilian production instantly for wartime needs contrasts with the challenge faced by market-based economies like Australia, which require years to shift supply chains to defense production. Chinese Naval Power:A sobering thought from The Wall Street Journal: One Chinese nuclear submarine and civilian shipyard launch more ships annually than the entire U.S. in the last 30 years, emphasizing the global economic and military landscape. Conclusion: Economic decisions play a pivotal role in determining military success.  Thank you for tuning in to Burgernomics! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and stay tuned for more intriguing conversations.

    3 min
  3. Ukraines Battlefield Economics. Tactics When Your Enemy Has More.

    28/11/2023

    Ukraines Battlefield Economics. Tactics When Your Enemy Has More.

    Ukraines Battlefield Economics. Tactics When Your Enemy Has More. Retired Major General Mick Ryan takes us for a journey through the battlefields of Ukraine, the tactics, planning and munitions supply status. The economic theories of ‘supply & demand’ and the ‘allocation of scarce resources’ couldn’t be more applicable to the life and death struggle of war on a battlefield. A battlefield comprises adversaries who attempt to kill each other to occupy land and become victorious. This requires munitions and men. Victory is usually guaranteed to whomever has unlimited munitions and soldiers. But neither Russia or Ukraine have unlimited military resources. Two main economic principles will determine the battlefield victor. Firstly, who can best supply munitions to their troops to satisfy their demand, allowing them to achieve their battlefield objectives. Secondly, how politicians and commanders distribute the limited munitions for maximum effect  is crucial. Make tactical mistakes and those munitions are wasted Maj. Gen. Ryan discusses the tragic global ramifications if the West was to prioritise munitions for Israel’s war in Gaza over the war in Ukraine. He also outlines Australia’s current defence vulnerability in the face of our most critical strategic threats since World War 2. Mick Ryan takes the Burgernomics Test detailing the effects on the simple hamburger of the Ukraine / Russian war. Dive Deeper Articles relating to the economics of the battlefield. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/17/europe/ukraine-shell-supplies-intl/index.html https://www.economist.com/special-report/2023/07/03/the-war-in-ukraine-shows-how-technology-is-changing-the-battlefield https://www.mca-marines.org/wp-content/uploads/January-2021-2.pdf

    45 min
4.9
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Ross MacDowell and Australia's top experts demystify economic topics that affect your life....crypto, blockchain, quantitative easing, the 10 year bond yield rate, carbon neutral, core inflation versus underlying inflation....let alone stagflation. These terms affect your job, your income, your mortgage and your quality of life. It’s pretty hard to plan for our prosperity, if we don’t understand basic economic concepts we hear daily? Burgernomics is a podcast where I talk to Australia’s smartest experts, asking them to demystify the economic topics that are running our lives.. Each podcast ends with the Burgernomics Test, when our expert applies their explanation to a simple hamburger guaranteeing you come away understanding.