Penn‘s Exchange: Markets & Cooperation

Timothy Guinnane on the Reliability of World’s Historical Population Estimates

To measure is to know. That has been science's dictum since the industrial revolution. But what happens when our measurement estimates are wrong? Today we will be joined by Timothy Guinnane. He will talk to us about how inaccurate the world's historical population estimates are and the general implications for economics, demography, and social sciences.

 

 

Anne Beck Knudsen on Migration and Cultural Change in Scandinavia

 What makes people move away from their places of origin, and what are the consequences? Economic concerns matter, of course, but cultural attitudes that select people to migrate matter too. Today we will be joined by Anne Beck Sofie Knudsen, who will talk to us about Scandinavian migration to America in the 19th century

Bryan Cutsinger on Money and Banking in Antebellum America

The history of money is the history of human exchange. We may now take for granted the
existence of national monies, but our current monetary system anchored around central
banks is a product of 20th-century political economy developments. Today we will be
joined by Bryan Cutsinger, who will discuss his research on the history of money provision
in North America in the 19th century.

Oded Galor on the Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality

Global concerns about comparative economic development, growth, and inequality cannot be adequately assessed without attending to the core foundations that have shaped human history. Today, Oded Galor joins us to discuss his most recent book on this topic: The Journey of Humanity. We talk about why a unified approach to economic growth is needed, why population size, population composition, and technological change matter, and why we can be hopeful about humanity's future.

You can get the book here: www.amazon.com/Journey-Humanity-Origins-Wealth-Inequality/dp/0593185994

Nathan Nunn on the Dynamics of Beliefs, Tradition, and Change

Culture and tradition are important determinants of human behavior that are usually perceived to be outside the proper scope of economics. Today, Nathan Nunn will join us to discuss his most recent paper delivered during the 2022 AEA Distinguished Lecture. We talk about why culture matters, how beliefs are formed, and when relying on tradition may pay off.

 

Jesús Fernández-Villaverde on the Incoming Demographic Collapse

Most recent demographic projections suggest humanity will reach its population peak by the end of the century. What lies ahead is uncertain as it will be a first for our world. Today, Professor Jesús Fernández-Villaverde joins us to discuss the challenges and the opportunities that may come with the end of the world's demographic transition. 

Michela Giorcelli on the Impact of Management on Productivity

Good managerial practices may help nations and firms increase productivity by rearranging existing resources into more efficient production processes. On the contrary, mismanagement---due to rent-seeking or out of pure neglect---can squander any growth opportunity. Understanding what good management entails and how can firms and countries achieve it is as crucial as ever. Today, Michela will talk to us about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Andrews on Innovation & its Social Underpinnings

Innovation is heralded as an essential trait of success in modern firms and societies alike. Entrepreneurs are hailed as our modern-day heroes, persons with creativity and heightened perceptiveness committed to finding better and more efficient ways of creating value. But what are the social conditions necessary to foster people like that? What are the broader institutional underpinnings that facilitate innovation? Today Michael will talk to us about it