Stahel challenges traditional economic theory and its focus on wealth creation through manufacturing, arguing for an alternative economy centered on maintaining and extending the life of existing assets.
Theoretical concepts and frameworks from various economic schools of thought, such as Marxism and post-Keynesian economics, are discussed and applied to the analysis of financialization and potential strategies.
The episode explores different economic theories and their proponents like Milton Friedman, John Maynard Keynes, and their impact on policy and ideologies.
The podcast episodes cover a wide range of topics related to economic theory, including foundational concepts, contemporary challenges, and critiques of existing frameworks.
For example, episodes discuss Joseph Stiglitz's pioneering work on market inefficiency, the application of Minsky's ideas to current market conditions, and the reexamination of the 'tragedy of the commons' narrative. Other episodes explore the dynamics of financialization and the disconnect between the stock market and the real economy.
Collectively, these episodes showcase the diversity and ongoing evolution of economic theory, as academics, policymakers, and practitioners grapple with complex, real-world challenges.