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The Economics Show

The Economics Show

By: Financial Times
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The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes is a new weekly podcast from the Financial Times packed full of smart, digestible analysis and incisive conversation. Soumaya Keynes digs deep into the hottest topics in economics along with a cast of FT colleagues and special guests. Come for the big ideas, stay for the nerdery.


Soumaya Keynes is an economics columnist for the Financial Times. Prior to joining the FT she worked at The Economist for eight years as a staff writer, where as well as covering trade, the US economy and the UK economy she co-hosted the Money Talks podcast. She also co-founded the Trade Talks podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Financial Times
Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • How to win a trade war, with Paul Krugman and Chad Bown
    May 29 2026

    In a reversal of roles, Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman steps into host Soumaya Keynes shoes to quiz her and co-author Chad Bown about their new book "How to Win a Trade War", and the lessons it contains for surviving a global world order where traditional trade rules are being abandoned. They discuss the fragile domestic politics of a trade war, what the rest of the world can learn from China and reasons to be sort of cheerful about the future of global trade.


    Further reading

    No one wins a trade war. Or do they?

    Why Europe must embrace tariffs


    Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.


    Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    31 mins
  • Can African countries mimic Asia’s economic success? With Joe Studwell
    May 22 2026

    Africa is traditionally seen as a continent of immense resources, let down by poor governance and excessive violence. Joe Studwell disagrees. In his book, How Africa Works, Studwell flips those assumptions upside down, and argues that low population density, a brutal disease burden and "low-budget" colonialism have hampered the continent’s development. Now, Studwell says, Africa is in a position to follow the blueprint for rapid advancement set by some of Asia’s most impressive economies, such as China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Host Soumaya Keynes and Studwell discuss the policy mix African nations should follow, the problems with "leapfrog" development and how "keeping up with the Joneses" could drive continent-wide development.


    Further Reading

    African economies are more resilient than ever


    Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.

    Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Should economics have fewer taboos? With Alvin Roth
    May 15 2026

    Economists like to think of their discipline as a rational science. But might we make better decisions if we ditched some of our moral aversions? Specifically: would we make better choices if we learned to conquer moral repugnance? Alvin Roth, Nobel laureate, and author of the recent book ‘Moral Economics’, tells host Soumaya Keynes why a free market in kidneys and surrogacy makes economic sense, and what he makes of prediction markets.


    The inaugural FT Weekend Festival in New York City is fast approaching, with a line-up featuring Paul Krugman, Martin Wolf, Gillian Tett, and plenty more. Join on Saturday, June 20, at Spring Studios or online. Register now and as a podcast listener, save 10% using our code FTPODCAST.


    Further reading

    When is it OK for economists to experiment on people?

    So you tried to buy a country . . .


    Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.


    Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
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