Economic policy is the blueprint for how a nation manages money, markets, and resources — and it lies at the very core of democracy. The way a government taxes, spends, regulates, and redistributes wealth determines who thrives and who struggles. When designed well, economic policy expands opportunity, strengthens the middle class, and sustains public trust in democratic institutions. But when it serves only the powerful, inequality deepens and faith in government erodes.
In this collection of podcasts, economists, policymakers, and civic leaders unpack how economic choices shape the health of democracy itself. You’ll hear debates on how inequality fuels political division, why oligarchs distort public policy, and how solidarity economics can rebuild a more just and inclusive society. Experts discuss practical reforms — from fair taxation and clean-energy investment to debt relief and ranked-choice budgeting — that aim to put power and prosperity back in the hands of ordinary citizens.
Together, these episodes reveal a vital truth: democracy doesn’t just depend on voting — it depends on how we share and manage our collective wealth.
"We should be humble all the time," says of her study of economics. "There's always something I realize that I didn't understand."
In this episode, we discuss the rigorous questions economists need to ask themselves when analyzing the likely impacts of public policies: Questions rarely asked by politicians and others in the public square. We look at the perils of cronyism, the shortcomings of the, growing , and the unfairness of the highly complex .
Veronique is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She writes a looking at economics from a free market, libertarian perspective.
Listen to the full episode on How Do We Fix It?: Tough Lessons From Economics. Veronique de Rugy
Why do so many Americans think tax breaks for the uber-wealthy will help the average person? According to Jeffrey Winters, the answer is simple: oligarchy. Today Winters breaks down how massive wealth distorts politics, and what can be done to combat it.Winters is professor of political science and director of the Equality Development and Globalization Studies (EDGS) program at Northwestern University. His research focuses on oligarchy in the US and around the world, historically and today. His forthcoming book, Domination through Democracy: Why Oligarchs Win, will be published by Penguin Random House later this year. Winters is also an expert on the politics of Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. He is an award-winning teacher, and his book Oligarchy (Cambridge, 2011) won the Luebbert Prize in 2012 for the best book in comparative politics from the American Political Science Association.
Listen to the full episode on The Context: Jeffrey Winters: How to Beat Oligarchs at Their Own Game
Democracy and inequality have been at odds for as long as democracy as has existed. As the gap between rich and poor widens, so too does trust in political institutions and faith in democracy itself.
Chris Witko, associate director of Penn State’s School of Public Policy and author of The New Economic Populism: How States Respond to Economic Inequality, argues that states can step in to address economic inequality while the federal government is embattled in political polarization.
Witko argues that democracy and capitalism will never fully be reconciled, but lessening economic inequality will go a long way toward strengthening democracy.
Listen to the full episode on Democracy Works: Using the tools of democracy to address economic inequality
Taifa Butler joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about her career in politics and her role as President of Demos, a non-profit public policy organization working to build a just, inclusive, multiracial democracy and economy.
Listen to the full episode on The Great Battlefield: Building a Multiracial Democracy and Economy with Taifa Butler of Demos
Manuel Pastor is a Distinguished Professor of Sociology and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. His latest book is Solidarity Economics: Why Mutuality and Movements Matter, co-authored with Chris Benner. We bookend our 16th season with a discussion on how solidarity economics and mutuality fulfill the promise of the social contract.
Listen to the full episode on Future Hindsight: Solidarity and Mutuality: Manuel Pastor
A campaign in Michigan to end partisan gerrymandering in 2018 is part of a legacy of ballot initiatives dating back to the 1800s. After becoming disillusioned with the results of the 2016 election, Katie Fahey took to Facebook to gauge the interest of grassroots mobilization amongst her colleagues, friends and family.
Now the executive director of a nonpartisan voter reform organization, Fahey shares how the ballot initiative excited everyday people about becoming active in politics, including its 10,000 volunteers, and how they were inspired to make political changes in their communities.
In this episode, host Jenna Spinelle explores the basics of the ballot initiative, the history of how it caught on in the United States, and the pros and cons that she will explore throughout the series.
Listen to the full episode on When the People Decide: Putting money and power in the people’s hands
Mike talks with Richard Robb, a professor of professional practice in international and public affairs at Columbia University and CEO of the investment firm Christofferson, Robb & Company, which he co-founded in 2001. They discuss his recent book .
After the interview, Kristin joins Mike for a conservative perspective.
Topics Richard and Mike cover include:
Listen to the full episode on The Politics Guys: Richard Robb on Choice in Economics, Politics, and Life
In today's economic and political climate, how can we all keep our heads while everyone else is losing theirs? Talkin' tariffs, budget deficits, the Fed, interest rates, and all kinds of fun stuff!
In this episode of Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other, host Corey Nathan welcomes long-time friend and investment advisor Jorge Meza, CEO of Meza Wealth Management. Jorge shares his inspiring journey—from navigating a family medical crisis to building a boutique investment firm grounded in accessibility and service. The two also dive into today’s economic and political climate, and how we can all keep our heads while everyone else is losing theirs.
Listen to the full episode on Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other: Finding Purpose, Building Wealth, and Staying Grounded in Uncertain Times with Jorge Meza
In this week’s episode of Politics In Question, Lee and Julia talk with Chloe Nicol Thurston and Emily Zackin about the United State’s relationship to debt and debtors. is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Northwestern University and is an Associate Professor of Political Science at John Hopkins University. They are the authors of (Chicago University Press, 2024).
What role has race played in the United States' history of debt relief? How has debtor activism contributed to state-building? How has debt relief been connected to contemporary issues? These are some of the questions Lee and Julia ask in this week’s episode.
Listen to the full episode on Politics in Question: What are the politics of debt relief?
In this week’s episode of Politics In Question, Lee and Julia talk with Chloe Nicol Thurston and Emily Zackin about the United State’s relationship to debt and debtors. is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Northwestern University and is an Associate Professor of Political Science at John Hopkins University. They are the authors of (Chicago University Press, 2024).
What role has race played in the United States' history of debt relief? How has debtor activism contributed to state-building? How has debt relief been connected to contemporary issues? These are some of the questions Lee and Julia ask in this week’s episode.
Listen to the full episode on An Honorable Profession: How Government Can Get Sh’t Done: Kristina Costa on Advancing Clean Energy During Federal Rollbacks
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