The Socialist Generation Debate

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 Join economist Peter Bettke as he discusses how transaction costs impact market efficiency and our everyday decisions. We delve deep into historical examples, particularly the Soviet Union, to highlight the consequences of centralized planning versus individual market actions.

Through engaging anecdotes and rigorous analysis, Bettke reveals why understanding transaction costs is essential for navigating the complexities of modern economies. We also explore the evolving discourse surrounding socialism, questioning whether new technologies, such as AI, could revolutionize planning efforts. This episode is not just for economists; it's a critical discussion for anyone seeking to understand the interplay between institutions, information, and human behavior in shaping societal outcomes.

Our conversation unravels the myths surrounding economic models and their real-world applications, encouraging listeners to think critically about the institutions that govern our economy. Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking discussion that could reshape your perception of economics.

Peter Boettke:  

• Web page:  https://economics.gmu.edu/people/pboettke
• Recent book: Socialist Calculation Debate (Cambridge U Press) https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/socialist-calculation-debate/5E63749F9D34D065193DCF77FC9FD8A9
• Recent Econtalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NVocBZ8S7U 

Munger papers on “Status Quo” and James Buchanan:   

• (with G. Vanberg) https://scholars.duke.edu/publication/1475073 
• https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-03080-3_3 

Munger on information and "generation": The "Socialist Generation Debate," at AIER

Mainline Economics Resources:

•  Living Economics
•  Six Nobel Lectures
•  Applied Mainline Economics

 Book'o'da'month:  

Bill Mauldin, BRASS RING: A SORT OF MEMOIR. 1973, WW Norton.  

If you have questions or comments, or want to suggest a future topic, email the show at taitc.email@gmail.com !

You can follow Mike Munger on Twitter at @mungowitz