Episodes

  • Welcome to Election Economics, a Macrodose bonus series that we’re running in the lead up to the UK general election on July 4th.

    Over the coming weeks James Meadway will be joined by a selection of economists, politicians and commentators to unpack what the campaigns’ policies and pledges mean for people in Britain.

    Today I am joined by Yanis Varoufakis - who will unpack and reflect on the weekend’s European Election results - which saw leftwing parties suffer defeat at the hands of the right across Europe. Yanis is an economist, politician, formerly Greece’s finance minister, and author of several books, including most recently Technofuedalism: What Killed Capitalism - which he has discussed previously here on Macrodose: https://www.patreon.com/posts/era-of-cloud-w-97039226

    TICKETS to our MACRODOSE LIVE event on July 26th: https://unionchapel.org.uk/venue/whats-on/versothe-dig-live-podcast-with-jeremy-corbyn-laleh-khalili

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers. You can support the show at: patreon.com/Macrodose
    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]

  • At the time of this recording, over 35,000 Palestinians had been killed, 80,000 wounded and 1.7 million internally displaced as a result of Israel's assault on Gaza. Alongside this profound loss has been the deliberate destruction of infrastructure and the 'ecocide' of Gaza's environment, from its cropland to its water and sewage systems.

    In this extra episode of The Break Down, Adam Hanieh, a Professor of Political Economy and Global Development at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, and a founding member of the Centre for Palestine Studies at SOAS, University of London, explains the threads linking the global oil economy; more than a century of Western imperialism; contemporary American interests in the Middle East; and the response of governments in the US, UK and much of Europe to the ongoing genocide. Ultimately, he explains why these overlapping histories make mutual solidarities between the climate movement and movement for a free Palestine so essential.

    Find the entire series of The Break Down, alongside fantastic original essays and other resources, over at ⁠www.break-down.org⁠

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers. You can support the show at: patreon.com/Macrodose

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

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  • Welcome to Election Economics, a Macrodose bonus series that we’re running in the lead up to the UK general election on July 4th.

    Over the coming weeks James Meadway will be joined by a selection of economists, politicians and commentators to unpack what the campaigns’ policies and pledges mean for people in Britain.

    Today we’re joined by Laurie Macfarlane. Laurie is an economist, a fellow at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, and the co-author of Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing, published in 2017.

    Most recently, Laurie is the co-founder and co-director of Future Economy Scotland, a non-partisan think tank that aims to create a new economy for Scotland - one that is democratic, sustainable and just.

    Find FES here: https://www.futureeconomy.scot

    TICKETS to our MACRODOSE LIVE event on July 26th: https://unionchapel.org.uk/venue/whats-on/versothe-dig-live-podcast-with-jeremy-corbyn-laleh-khalili

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers. You can support the show at: patreon.com/Macrodose

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠

  • Over the coming weeks Macrodose will be co-publishing The Break Down - a new series created by our friends over at Common Wealth.

    This series is dedicated to examining the role of capitalism in the climate and ecological crisis, and will feature long-form interviews with former Roundtable guest Adrienne Buller.

    Today Adrienne is joined by Adam Hanieh, Professor of Political Economy and Global Development at the University of Exeter. His latest book, Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market (Verso) is out September 2024.

    Oil is fundamental to our understanding of the climate crisis. But despite its starring role, the dominance of oil in the global energy system is a relatively recent phenomenon, with the industry only really taking off after the Second World War. So how, in just a few decades, did oil become so integral to American power and to our understanding of global capitalism?

    Adrienne and Adam break down the history and geopolitics of oil and imperialism, and explore how the petrochemicals and plastics that now permeate our lives, from the foods we eat to the clothes we wear and everything in between, are making it increasingly difficult to challenge the power of the fossil fuel industry.

    The Break Down will also be releasing some fantastic original essays and other resources that dig into the complex questions around how we got into this crisis, what the future might look like, and how we can build the power to change it.

    Find all that and much much more over at www.break-down.org

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers. You can support the show at: patreon.com/Macrodose

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

  • On this week’s Macrodose James Meadway takes a look at Mexico’s new left wing president (2:05), and a listener question - what is national debt, do we need to pay it off, and will it ever impact you and me (14:30)?

    Kate Aronoff’s article: tinyurl.com/mhre9x98

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • Welcome to Election Economics, a Macrodose bonus series that we’re running in the lead up to the UK general election on July 4th.

    Over the coming weeks James Meadway will be joined by a selection of economists, politicians and commentators to unpack what the campaigns’ policies and pledges mean for people in Britain.

    Today we’re delighted to be joined by Dr Julia Grace Patterson. Dr Patterson is the founder and chief executive of Every Doctor UK, a doctor-led campaigning organisation fighting to save the NHS. She is also a columnist at the Canary, and the author of Critical: Why the NHS is being Betrayed and how We can Fight for it.

    TICKETS to our LIVE event on July 26th: https://unionchapel.org.uk/venue/whats-on/versothe-dig-live-podcast-with-jeremy-corbyn-laleh-khalili

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers. You can support the show at: patreon.com/Macrodose

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]

  • Welcome to Election Economics, a Macrodose bonus series that we’re running in the lead up to the UK general election on July 4th.

    Over the coming weeks James Meadway will be joined by a selection of economists, politicians and commentators to unpack what the campaigns’ policies and pledges mean for people in Britain.

    Today we're joined by economist and author Grace Blakeley, whose new book Vulture Capitalism explores the mystifying logic that underpin our current economic system.

    TICKETS to our live event on July 26th: https://unionchapel.org.uk/venue/whats-on/versothe-dig-live-podcast-with-jeremy-corbyn-laleh-khalili

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers. You can support the show at: patreon.com/Macrodose

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠



  • On this week’s Macrodose James Meadway takes a close look at a seemingly inevitable win for Labour in the upcoming UK general election - what will this actually mean over the next 5 years (1:34)?

    Get your ticket for the New Media for a New Economy Conference here: tinyurl.com/y8m7kw88

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On today’s episode James Meadway is joined by Olivier De Schutter to discuss his new book The Poverty of Growth - a concise and well evidenced argument against the idea that economic growth is the route out of poverty.

    Olivier was UN Special Rapporteur on The Right to Food, a member of the UN Comity on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and is an internationally recognised expert on food systems, poverty and international law.

    You can grab a copy of his book here: tinyurl.com/y4xa2ymp

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On July 26th Macrodose is partnering with Verso Books and the Dig podcast for a special live event over at the Union Chapel in Islington, London.

    Host Dalia Gebrial will be joined by political scientist Thea Riofrancos, climate justice activist Asad Rehman and anthropologist Jason Hickel, to talk about all things economic, from the era of neoliberalism to green colonialism, and the decline of the unipolar world.

    And we'll be followed by a live cross-over recording of the Dig and Verso podcasts, where hosts Eleanor Penny and Daniel Denvir will be in conversation with academic and author Laleh Khalili and MP Jeremy Corbyn.

    https://unionchapel.org.uk/venue/whats-on/versothe-dig-live-podcast-with-jeremy-corbyn-laleh-khalili

  • On this week’s Macrodose, James Meadway breaks down: today’s UK inflation figures - what can we expect and do the numbers tell the full story (1:32) and a listener question - why has Zimbabwe decided to back its currency using gold (10:18)?

    Get your ticket for the New Media for a New Economy Conference here: tinyurl.com/y8m7kw88

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On this week’s Macrodose, Polly Smythe takes a look at an upcoming vote at an Amazon Warehouse on whether to unionise. If the workers vote yes, then for the first time in the UK Amazon will be forced to recognise a trade union.

    What are workers at the Coventry site up against? Why is Amazon such a crucial battleground for the future of the labour movement? And what lessons can we learn from this latest organising attempt?

    Polly Smythe is an industrial correspondent at Novara Media, where I spend my time covering everything to do with trade unions, work, and strikes.

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On this week’s Macrodose, James Meadway breaks down: another Labour Party U-Turn as Keir Starmer guts the “New Deal for Workers” (1:47), and a proposed global mining merger - how is the climate crisis reshaping the largest institutions of capitalism (10:47)?

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On this week’s Macrodose, James Meadway breaks down: a warning from the world bank that inflation could start rising again this year (0:46), a new report showing that climate change is creating serious health hazards for 70% of the world's workers (6:21) and as climate-flation hits the front pages of 2 major papers this week - has public awareness hit a tipping point (12:33)?

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • ** Check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel - youtu.be/O5xSeNmF-v0 **

    On today’s episode James Meadway is joined by Raj Patel and Jason W Moore for a revisit of their book A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things: a guide to capitalism, nature and the future of the planet. Raj Patel is an award-winning author, film-maker and academic. He is a Research Professor in the Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin.Jason W. Moore is an environmental historian and historical geographer at Binghamton University, where he is professor of sociology and leads the World-Ecology Research Collective. Grab you copy of A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things here www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/817-a-history-of-the-world-in-seven-cheap-thingsA massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On this week’s Macrodose, James Meadway breaks down new research that shows the world will lose one fifth of its income to climate change over the next 25 years (1:45), the skyrocketing price of insurance in the UK (7:21) and some allegedly good news - the London stock exchange hits a record high (14:56).

    Grab you ticket for the PTO live show here: tinyurl.com/3zhu4ve6

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • This week on Macrodose Hannah Proctor leads us on an exploration of burnout. What are the origins of the term, and how can political movements and people on the frontline endure in the face of defeat.

    Hannah Proctor is a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, interested in histories and theories of radical psychiatry. She is a member of the editorial collective behind Radical Philosophy, and has been published in Jacobin, Tribune, The New Inquiry and elsewhere. Find her new book “Burnout: The Emotional Experience of Political Defeat” here: tinyurl.com/ye33zecw

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On this week’s Macrodose, James Meadway breaks down a new report over in the US which lays out the climate risks to nuclear power (0:44), a look at how the scarcity of data will squash the dreams of machine learning (9:55) and a new campaign for Basic Income for Farmers (15:50).

    Basic income for farmers report: tinyurl.com/5n6hecpe

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On this week’s Macrodose, James Meadway breaks down Britain's ever failing water system and how to fix it (0:53), how AI is feeding colonial forms of exploitation (7:41) and climateflation - how new research shows prices are only likely to increase (14:25).

    A massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.

    Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

    For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

  • On today’s episode James Meadway is joined by Brett Christophers and Adrienne Buller to discuss the economics of the green energy transition, asking how we could finance it and what’s stopping us? They talked “market failures”, “maladaptation” and the future of economics: growth and degrowth.

    Brett Christophers is professor of human geography at Uppsala University’s Institute for Housing and Urban Research. Grab his latest book ‘The Price is Wrong: Why capitalism won’t save the planet’ here: tinyurl.com/4p6tpuh3

    Adrienne Buller is Director of Research and London-based Think Tank Common Wealth. Find her book 'The Value of a whale: on the illusions of green capitalism' here: tinyurl.com/3bdp6haaA massive thank you to all of our existing Patreon subscribers, your support keeps the show running and we are very grateful. If you have the means and enjoy our work, head over to patreon.com/Macrodose and subscribe today.Find our socials, newsletter and more here:⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/macrodosepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or get in touch at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠For more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, go to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠