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Economy

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This category contains 72 posts

These days, what happens in New York doesn’t stay in New York, especially when it comes to the economy. Events on Wall Street and Main Street in the United States ripple outward, affecting markets and lives across the globe. And likewise, if it matters to business in Beijing or Delhi, Moscow or Madrid, it matters in America as well.

A Cross-Border Comparison of Stimulus Spending

By Jason Margolis ⋅ February 26, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Just over a year ago, President Obama and Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better know as “The Stimulus.” It was a $787 billion shot-in-the-arm to the U.S. economy, a mix of tax cuts and expenditure spending.

The U.S. wasn’t the only country to take such action. On the Global Economy Podcast, we look at how the stimulus plans in different countries have fared and compare the actions taken by the Canadian and U.S. governments.

The Financial Problems With Greece

By Jason Margolis ⋅ February 15, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Eurozone leaders say they will come to Greece’s rescue. But Greece’s Finance Minister wants details as to how exactly other eurozone nations will bailout his country. In this podcast we explore what went wrong with Greece and what it means for the rest of us.

Also, an update from Haiti: How to bring jobs to the millions of unemployed. And a small flower shop near Vancouver that is putting together 1,800 bouquets for all the Olympic medal winners.

The Costs of the Winter Olympics and Toyota

By Jason Margolis ⋅ February 4, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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It took seven years of planning, construction, hassle and heartache. Finally, the party is about to begin. Starting February 12th, British Columbia will host the Winter Olympics for 17 days. (And the Paralympics to follow.) Canadian taxpayers are on hook for CDN $6 billion, by some estimates. What did British Columbia get for all that money? Was it all worth it?

Also on this edition of the podcast, news about Toyota and Moscow McDonald’s turns 20. (Photo credit: © VANOC/COVAN)

Haiti’s Chances for Long-Term Growth

By Jason Margolis ⋅ January 22, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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The earthquake in Haiti has taken a terrible toll. But out of the rubble, there is some hope. The earthquake offers that country a chance to rebuild its economy from scratch, and develop the infrastructure its been sorely lacking.

Also on the podcast, two stories from Europe: Problems with the Euro and Iceland on sale.

Birth, Death, and Shopping in Japan

By Jason Margolis ⋅ January 6, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Prices for real estate are sky high in Tokyo, not just in life, but in death too. It’s not just expensive to die in Japan, it’s expensive to be born. At least there’s deals to be had for New Year’s shopping in Tokyo.

Also on the podcast, Russians, Indians, and Israelis have arrived in Mississippi. And they may no longer be going for Olympic gold in Australia.

One state’s trade boom…

By Jason Margolis ⋅ December 17, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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During the first three months of the year, trade fell across the board in 49 U.S. states. Which state managed to buck the trend? Tune into the podcast to find out.

Also on this edition of the podcast: A socialist toy fair in Venezuela, Britain begins labeling food from the West Bank as either Israeli or Palestinian, and young voices in Spain talking about their country’s soaring unemployment rate.

Romance and Freedom… Making Sales

By Jason Margolis ⋅ December 15, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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The Global Economy Podcast was recently voted one of iTunes top podcasts for 2009! Quite an honor. Thank you, good folks at iTunes.

Some of the themes on this edition of the podcast: love and freedom. Or rather, using love and freedom to sell products. How can you not tune in for that? Now you see why this is one of the year’s best podcasts!

Business in the Developing World, Part II

By Jason Margolis ⋅ December 1, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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A year ago, inflation in Zimbabwe was a mind-blowing 231 million percent. (And that was before the government stopped bothering to update the figure!) A new government came to power in February and life has much improved. The Zimbabwe dollar, or Zim dollar, is gone. But that has spawned problems of its own.

Stories from Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa, Bangladesh, India and Peru on Part II of this two-part podcast about econonics and business in the developing world.

Business in the Developing World, Part I

By Jason Margolis ⋅ November 27, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Bank bailouts and Wall Street bonuses may enrage many in the United States, but they’re hardly top of mind for most people in places like Nicaragua, Senegal, and Peru. The majority of people in the developing world were poor when the Great Recession began, and they’re poor today. Do the ebbs and flows of the banks in London and New York impact their daily lives? Part I of this two-part podcast looks at econonics and business issues in the developing world.

How Happy is the Economy?

By Jason Margolis ⋅ November 6, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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McDonald's

The U.S. recession is over! (Technically speaking by one measure.) That’s because the nation’s gross domestic product is back in positive territory. But for the 10 percent of Americans who are out looking for work, it sure doesn’t feel like much of an economic recovery. Should GDP be the bar by which we judge economic health? And what about measuring a nation’s economic prowess by Big Mac sales? Many have argued that the mark of economic progress, or the triumph of American capitalism depending on your vantage, is when a nation serves up McDonald’s. By that argument, what does it say about a nation when its golden arches disappear?

The Limits of GDP

By The World ⋅ October 29, 2009 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

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The recession in the U.S. is technically over. Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, grew at a rate of 3.5% in the last three months ending in September. But there’s a growing cadre of economists and other economy-watchers who say GDP has outlived its usefulness as a gauge of economic health. The World’s Jason Margolis has more. Download MP3

The Economics of Renewable Energy

By Jason Margolis ⋅ October 29, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Policymakers are working towards their self-imposed deadline to come up with a successor climate treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. Their mission is to set target reductions for atmospheric carbon levels by the conclusion of United Nations’ sponsored climate talks this December in Copenhagen. A deal is looking unlikely for December. But assuming a climate deal does eventually get done, this will no doubt be a boon for the renewable energy industry. That could mean big business for solar panels, wind turbines, biofuels, and nuclear energy.

No more Big Macs

By The World ⋅ October 27, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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mcdonalds150

In the Geo Quiz we’re looking for an island nation where all three McDonald’s restaurants will close at the end of the month. And besides being destined to be Big Mac free by Sunday, it’s also famous for its glaciers and fjords, and, well, ice. Download MP3

BBC coverage
Guardian story

The Economic View in Western Europe

By Jason Margolis ⋅ October 15, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Euro2

For more than 180 years, if you wanted to buy an “Evening Standard” paper in London, you had to pay for it. No longer. The paper is now free. Is this a sign of the economic times? On this edition of the global economy podcast, the view from Western Europe: Stories from Spain, Italy, Germany, and England. Download MP3

Migrating Money and People

By Jason Margolis ⋅ October 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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For some poor nations, money sent back home from family members working in Western Europe and the U.S. is a lifeline. How has the financial crisis impacted this flow of money? Millions of migrant workers have lost their jobs or seen their incomes cut. The value of remittances is expected to fall for the first time since records have been kept. Download MP3

Global Economy podcast