Charter Cities Podcast
The Charter Cities Podcast examines how charter cities can address major 21st-century challenges such as urbanization, global poverty, and migration. Host Mark Lutter interviews experts in international development, new cities, finance, entrepreneurship, and governance. Through these conversations, the show aims to build a deeper understanding of the many dimensions of charter cities. More information is available from the Charter Cities Institute.
Episodes
Willie Vos on Building Waterfall City
Waterfall City began with 2,200 hectares of farmland between Johannesburg and Pretoria and an unusual challenge: the land couldn’t simply be sold off to developers. Instead, its owners adopted a long-term leasehold model that helped preserve a unified vision for the development over decades. Today, Waterfall City is just over halfway complete, with plans for close to 25,000 homes and approximately
David Chitta and Michelle Made on Zanzalu and Life Inside a Pop-Up City
What is a pop-up city, and what does it actually look like on the ground?In Episode 82 of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter speaks with David Chitta and Michelle Made about Zanzalu, a three-week co-living and co-working pop-up city hosted in Fumba Town, Zanzibar.They unpack what a pop-up city actually is and what makes the experience unique: shared breakfasts, spontaneous workshops, game nig
Joe Studwell on How Africa Works
Africa’s development story is often framed through crisis or pessimism. Joe Studwell offers a different perspective. In this conversation, Studwell explains why Africa’s economic transformation is only beginning. Unlike the post-independence era, today’s Africa has the population density, urban concentration, and educational foundation necessary for sustained development.Building on themes from Ho
James of Ârc on Building a Global City to Push the Frontier
In Episode 80 of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter speaks with James of Ârc about building a global city that attracts ambitious people from around the world. James shares Arc’s long-term vision for city building and explains why talent, culture, and community are just as important as infrastructure and capital. They discuss how Arc is building momentum through pop-up cities and partnerships
Bradford Cross on Alpha Cities & Treating Government as a Product
In Episode 79, Mark Lutter sits down with serial AI founder and investor Bradford Cross, now CEO of Alpha Cities, to explore what happens when a Silicon Valley systems thinker takes on the world’s most complex product: government.Bradford argues that government should be treated as a product—one that often performs poorly, iterates slowly, and lacks the discipline of customer-centric design. Drawi
Rodney Lockwood on Belle Isle
In this episode, Mark speaks with Rodney Lockwood, author of Belle Isle: Detroit’s Game Changer. Lockwood outlines his vision for turning Detroit’s Belle Isle into a privately funded “Freedom City,” inspired by models from Monaco, Singapore, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. From governance reforms and land-value taxation to Formula One racing and monorail transport, Lockwood explains how bold exper
Dillon Knowles on Reviving Freeport
Grand Bahama’s Freeport is often left out of the origin story of special economic zones—but it shouldn’t be. In this episode, Mark sits down with Dillon F. Knowles, President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, to trace Freeport’s beginnings under the 1955 Hawksbill Creek Agreement—arguably the first modern free trade zone—through its Vegas-on-the-Atlantic heyday and the slowdown that followe
Joel Burke on E-Governance and the Rise of Estonia
In this conversation, Joel Burke and Carl Peterson discuss the remarkable transformation of Estonia into a leader in digital governance. They explore Estonia's journey from post-Soviet struggles to becoming a hub for tech innovation, including the rise of companies like Skype. Joel shares insights on Estonia's e-governance initiatives, the e-residency program, and the importance of cybersecurity f
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 8: Tom Bell
In this Freedom Cities episode, Professor Tom W. Bell dives deep into the world of legal innovation and special jurisdictions. A law professor turned legal systems designer, Tom shares his journey from academia to advising real-world projects like the Catawba Digital Economic Zone and Free Society’s forthcoming decentralized city. He explains Ulex—his open-source legal system—and walks us through
Jarrad Hope on Blockchain Communities and Post-Nation-State Governance
In Episode 75 of the Charter Cities Podcast, we’re joined by Jarrad Hope—founder of the Logos Network and author of Farewell to Westphalia—to explore the provocative idea of post-nation-state governance. Jarrad and Mark dive into the decline of traditional state power, how blockchain technologies enable new forms of sovereignty, and why decentralized communities may soon provide public goods and g
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 7: Alex Voss
In Episode 7 of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter sits down with Alex Voss, CFO of Tipolis, a company pioneering the development of new cities around the world based on private governance models. Alex shares his journey from investment banking to building freedom-enhancing urban communities and dives into the evolving global landscape for charter and free cities. From Tipolis’ new project in
Siaka Stevens on Building Sherbro Island City
In Episode 74 of the Charter Cities Podcast, host Mark Lutter speaks with Siaka Stevens, co-founder of Sherbro Alliance Partners and the visionary behind Sherbro Island City in Sierra Leone. With the recent ratification of their agreement with the government, Sherbro Island now has special administrative status and strong legal protections—opening the door to serious investor interest. Siaka discu
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 6: David Ernst
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, we speak with David Ernst, founder of Secure Internet Voting, about the urgent need for innovation in democratic systems. David argues that while voting is foundational to democracy, its design is outdated, especially in an era of digital communication and governance. We explore what it would take to make online voting secure, transparent, and legitim
Three Wyoming State Senators on Freedom Cities, Federal Land, and Innovation
This episode features a conversation with Wyoming State Senators Dan Dockstader, Brian Boner, and Chris Rothfuss, hosted by Carl Peterson of the Charter Cities Institute. The discussion centers on the concept of Freedom Cities, first introduced in national discourse by former President Donald Trump, and how Wyoming—home to abundant federal land and cutting-edge energy projects—might serve as a tes
Michael Muthukrishna on Cultural Evolution and the Human Advantage
In this episode of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark speaks with Michael Muthukrishna, Associate Professor of Economic Psychology at LSE, about how cultural evolution explains the rise of human civilization. They explore why Homo sapiens prevailed over Neanderthals, the role of self-domestication and social learning in societal development, and how religion and cooperation have shaped social comple
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 5: Wyoming State Senators Brian Boner, Chris Rothfuss, and Dan Dockstader
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, host Carl Peterson speaks with three Wyoming State Senators—Brian Boner (District 2), Chris Rothfuss (District 9), and Dan Dockstader (District 16)—about the bold future of economic development in Wyoming through the lens of Freedom Cities. The conversation explores Wyoming’s unique challenges and opportunities, including how the checkerboard pattern
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 4: Patri Friedman
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter is joined by Patri Friedman, a pioneer in the new cities movement. As the founder of the Seasteading Institute and Managing Partner at Pronomos Capital, Patri has spent the last two decades pushing for new approaches to governance through the creation of innovative urban developments. They explore why Africa represents the most promising f
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 3: Isaiah Taylor
Isaiah Taylor, CEO and Founder of Valar Atomics, joins the Freedom Cities Podcast to discuss their game-changing advancements in nuclear energy. Learn about their $19 million seed round, their first reactor project in the Philippines, and how scalable nuclear power could transform American industry by driving down energy costs. Isaiah also dives into the regulatory hurdles facing nuclear innovatio
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 2: Edward Pinto
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Edward Pinto discusses his work at the American Enterprise Institute Housing Center, focusing on the housing supply crisis and potential solutions. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing federal land for housing development, particularly through the Bureau of Land Management. Mark and Edward explore Freedom Cities as a solution to the housing short
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 1: Joshua Abbotoy
Welcome to the Freedom Cities Podcast, a short-form series by the Charter Cities Institute & the Frontier Foundation. In each episode, we sit down with innovators, entrepreneurs & thought leaders to explore how Freedom Cities can drive innovation and economic growth.In our first episode of the Freedom Cities podcast, Joshua Abbotoy discusses his innovative approach to building rural commun
Nick Allen on Freedom Cities
In this episode, Nick Allen from the Frontier Foundation delves into the concept of Freedom Cities, highlighting their potential to rejuvenate American urban landscapes and industries. He explores the historical context of city formation in the U.S., the necessity of supporting emerging industries, and the crucial role of coalition-building among stakeholders. The conversation addresses regulatory
Atossa Araxia Abrahamian on Freeports, Free Zones, and The Hidden Globe
In this conversation, Atossa discusses her book 'The Hidden Globe,' which explores the complexities of special economic zones and the unconventional legal systems that exist outside traditional nation-states. She reflects on her upbringing in Geneva, Switzerland, and how it shaped her understanding of sovereignty and international law. The discussion delves into the evolution of citizenship by inv
Mark Lutter and Kurtis Lockhart on Building Institutions and the Future of African Education
In this conversation, Kurtis discusses his transition from CCI to establishing the Africa Urban Lab at the African School of Economics in Zanzibar. He highlights the urgent need for new universities in Africa to harness the continent's demographic potential and improve education quality. The conversation delves into the challenges of setting up a university, the focus on practical skills in the cu
Ian Goldin on the History and Future of Cities
Imagine a world where cities are not just places to live, but dynamic hubs of innovation, specialization, and cooperation. What if the cities of today are shaping the political and economic landscapes of tomorrow in ways we are only beginning to understand? In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of urban development with Ian Goldin, a leading expert on global development and urbanization. Ia
Evan Osborne on Economic Liberalism in Modern China
Liberalism in China has taken many twists and turns. And in today’s episode, we explore its fascinating history, from its early pre-Western roots, all the way to its current incarnation within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and beyond. Joining us to unpack this fascinating topic is Evan Osborne, Professor of Economics at Wright State University, and author of the highly informative new book Ma
Leander Moons on Mass Timber Construction in Africa
Imagine Africa built their infrastructure using the same systems as the Western World. Embracing sustainability is a critical element of building a greener future for Africa and the world. Leander Moons is the Founding Owner of Studio OMT Architects, a mass timber architecture and urban design firm working in Africa and Europe. During this episode, he joins us to chat about building in Africa in c
Building a Charter City Ecosystem with Mark Lutter
How do you take the positive aspects of Silicon Valley, and apply it to a radically different context like developing charter cities? Today, Jeffrey Mason, Head of Research at the Charter Cities Institute (CCI), is joined by Mark Lutter, Founder and Executive Director of CCI, and CEO of Braavos Cities, to discuss how the charter cities ecosystem has evolved over the past few years and what he’s le
Building Vibrant Communities with Brooke Bowman and Mark Lutter
Can a city hold the key to unlocking economic prosperity on a grand scale? In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Bowman and Mark Lutter to discuss charter cities and their role in addressing economic development challenges. Mark is a visionary thinker invested in progress, governance, social dynamics, and the concept of new cities. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Charter Cities
Luqman Edu on Itana, Nigeria's First Digital Free Zone
What would it take to create the ideal jurisdiction for global tech companies to be able to grow and scale in Africa? Joining us today to unpack this question is Luqman Edu, co-founder and CEO of Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Free Zone. Through their partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Itana is creating an opportunity for global businesses to operate and provide services remotely,
Kartik Akileswaran and Jonathan Mazumdar on Growth Teams and Structural Transformation
Many countries need radical structural transformation, specifically in more developing nations, and Growth Teams and made it part of their mission to empower developing countries to create jobs and grow their economies. Today, we are in conversation with the cofounders of Growth Teams, Kartik Akileswaran and Jonathan Mazumdar. The pair are here to discuss how their business is playing its part in
Jon Vandenheuvel on Small Farm Cities
Affordable housing and economic development challenges in Africa are multifaceted and interconnected, but what is the solution? In today’s conversation, we sit down with Jon Vandenheuvel, the founder of Small Farm Cities Africa and senior advisor for the Charter Cities Institute. Small Farm Cities integrates horticulture, aquaculture, infrastructure, and residential housing for ownership and wealt
Tom Lavers on Ethiopia's Developmental State
Ethiopia's Developmental State model has garnered attention for its ambitious goals and efforts to transform the economy, but has it been successful? Joining us today is Tom Lavers, Senior lecturer in Politics and Development at The University of Manchester, to help navigate this complex topic. Tom is a dedicated researcher whose passion lies in exploring the intricate interplay between social and
Lant Pritchett on Economic Growth, Charter Cities, and State Capability
In today's episode of Charter Cities, we're honored to welcome Lant Pritchett, a distinguished economist and a thought leader in development economics. Our deep-dive conversation will focus on the critical topic of growth diagnostics, exploring the complex challenges policymakers face in developing nations. Lant will illuminate the importance of identifying impactful actions for growth, emphasizin
Heba Elhanafy and Matthew McCartney on Africa's Bad Urban Laws
On today's Charter Cities episode, host Jeffrey Mason is joined by colleagues Heba Elhanafy and Matthew McCartney to unpack the New Africa's Bad Urban Laws project. This initiative dissects laws in African cities hindering growth and community well-being. Additionally, Jeffrey reminds listeners of the upcoming Africa's New City Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. The team dives deep, discussing the reasons
International Hubs and the Future of Living with Vitalik Buterin
Coming up on today's episode of Charter Cities, we have a very special guest joining host Mark Lutter: Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of community building and the importance of creating meaningful connections within cities and online communities. We explore the challenges and successes of building communities in different contexts
Private Cities: A New Frontier in Urban Development and Governance with Martin Rama and Yue Li
Host Jeffrey Mason welcomes esteemed guests Martin Rama and Yue Li to another enthralling episode of Charter Cities. Together, they embark on a deep exploration of the intriguing world of private cities, delving into their impact on urban agglomerations and the delicate interplay with local governments. Tune in today to hear their insights on the successes and challenges that private cities face,
Relationship Building, Network Cities, and Leveraging Competitive Advantage with Mark Lutter
Charter Cities Institute Founder and Chairman Mark Lutter returns to the podcast to share his perspective on network states, charter city trends, and more. Mark is also the CEO of Braavos Cities, a charter city development company partnering with local landowners and a leading organizer of Zuzalu, a new pop-up city in Montenegro. Tune in today to hear Mark’s insights on existing network states and
Industrialization and Assimilation with Dr. Elliott Green
Industrialization has a myriad of consequences that have been studied and speculated upon from the very start. In this episode, Dr. Elliott Green joins us to discuss the impact of industrialization on ethnic identity and diversity. Dr. Green is a political scientist, Africanist, and associate professor in the Department of International Development at The London School of Economics. He is also the
Emergent Tokyo with Joe McReynolds
We are joined on the show today by Joe McReynolds, co-author of Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City, and we have an extensive conversation about the characteristics of Tokyo urbanism, the role of policy in the city, lessons that may be applied to charter cities, and also some of Joe's thoughts on China's current military capabilities. Joe makes a strong argument for avoiding c
Education, Electricity, Fertility, and Economic Growth with Charlie Robertson
What do high education and low fertility rates have in common? According to today’s guest, Charlie Robertson, they are both positively correlated with economic growth. In today’s episode, Charlie shares the reasons why he believes that countries that don’t get their fertility rates down to below 3 children per woman and those that don’t have adult literacy rates above 70% are doomed to remain trap
Doing Business in Africa with Deanne de Vries
The West’s misconceptions about Africa are vast, particularly when it comes to the realm of business. Today we are joined by Dr. Deanne de Vries, who has worked across the continent in various capacities for over 30 years. She is currently an advisor for firms looking to enter the African market and is the author of Africa: Open for Business. In this episode, Deanne fills us in on the challenges a
Catawba Digital Economic Zone with Joseph McKinney
If you’re a regular listener of this podcast you may be familiar with the term Special Economic Zone (SEZ). In short, SEZ refers to an area where business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. Typically, these zones will have laws or legal codes and regulations that make it attractive for businesses to relocate there. Today on the show you’ll learn all about these zones and mo
A Framework for the Elite's Role in Development with Stefan Dercon
Stefan Dercon is the author of Gambling on Development, in which he details his theory of the elite bargain framework for development in low-income countries. Stefan is a Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford, and also serves as the Director of the Center for the Study of African Economies. Prior to his current academic posts, he has extensive experience in the world of policy,
Exploring Solutions to the Development Problem with Efosa Ojomo
Development is one of the major challenges of our time. Unfortunately, it’s often approached in a way that does more harm than good. Efosa Ojomo has a better solution, and he’s here today to share it. Efosa is the leader of the Global Prosperity Research Group at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, the co-author of The Prosperity Paradox, and the author of the upcoming boo
Lessons on Economic Growth for the Future with Dr. Jared Rubin
Dr. Jared Rubin is the co-author of How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth, which he wrote with Mark Koyama, a previous guest on the podcast. We are so happy to welcome Jared to the show today to discuss the thesis of his book, and what he and Mark aimed to add to the literature on the subject of economic growth in the contemporary context. This is a fascina
The Real Story of China in Africa with Deborah Brautigam
China’s presence in Africa is widely speculated upon (and wildly misunderstood). Joining us today to speak to the truth of the matter is Sinologist-Africanist Professor of International Development at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Deborah Brautigam. Deborah is also the Director of the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) and author of Will Africa Feed China?
Linda Colley on War and Constitutions
Dr. Linda Colley is a leading expert on British imperial and global history, among other topics in British history. Dr. Colley is the M.C. Davis 1958 Professor of History at Princeton University, here today to discuss her newly published book, The Gun, The Ship, and the Pen: Warfare, Constitutions and the Making of the Modern World, which explores the complex interrelationship between the rise of
Charter Cities Atlas: Venice with Thibault Serlet and Corey Tazzara
Today’s episode is a bonus episode, where we take a deep dive into the Italian Renaissance (with a focus on Venice) with world-renowned expert, Professor Corey Tazzara. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the formation of independent city-states, to the financial and political ramifications of the crusades, to the rise and fall of Venice as an economic powerhouse, this conversation has it all! We
Tackling Poverty and Preventing War with Chris Blattman
The Ukraine-Russia conflict has dominated headlines over the past few months, with countless theories and hypotheses being touted to explain Russia’s aggression. Join us as we talk to one of the world’s leading experts on violence and politics, Professor Chris Blattman. We start the episode with an explanation of why Chris chose to write his latest book Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths
Seeding the Future 02: A Fundamental Cultural Shift with Sid Sijbrandij
In order to build the cities of the future, there is a need for synergy between a number of elements and institutions and, as philanthropy evolves with the times, an active approach to impacting the necessary changes means an understanding of these sometimes disparate forces. Joining us on the show today to discuss his philanthropic philosophy and plans is the Founder of GitLab, Sid Sijbrandij. Si
Seeding the Future 01: Philanthropy for Policy Change with John D. Arnold
Welcome to Seeding the Future, a podcast from the Charter Cities Institute, where we explore how giving and philanthropy are changing as wealth is created in new industries, at younger ages, and by more diverse demographics. In this inaugural epode, we hear from John Arnold, American philanthropist, former Enron executive, and Founder of Arnold Ventures, about philanthropy for policy cha
Building Up and Not Out with Heba Elhanafy
Across the global south, cities are growing outwards instead of upwards. Talking to us today about why this is a bad thing for commuters, is urban planning researcher Heba Elhanafy. We dive into the episode with an overview of what the newly released planning guidelines cover, and how new city making has evolved. We hear about the three topics the planning guidelines tackle (how the global south b
The New Urban Aesthetic with Dr. Samuel Hughes
In January 2020, the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission published ‘Living with beauty’, a report that has led to a new national design guide and model design code with changes to the national policy. The policy changes replaced the word ‘good design’ with ‘beauty’, but is there more to beauty than just appearance? Joining us to discuss the beautification of urban spaces today is Dr. Sa
Market Urbanism with Scott Beyer
Joining us in conversation today is Scott Beyer, the Founder and CEO of the Market Urbanism Report, a media company dedicated to advancing the free market’s classically liberal approach to urban issues. Tune in to hear Scott’s definition of market urbanism and how it relates to the traditional free market. He describes how his audience varies drastically from a partisan and ideological perspective
Urbanization and Urban Governance with Ed Glaeser
Today’s guest is Ed Glaeser, a Professor of Economics at Harvard University, and he joins us to talk about urbanization and urban planning. Ed has written, or co-authored several books, including The Triumph of The City, and more recently, Survival of the City: Living and Thriving in an Age of Isolation, published this year with David Cutler. Our conversation begins on the subject of the
Building Strong Towns with Charles “Chuck” Marohn
“The North American development pattern, the way we build our cities, creates a lot of liabilities and not enough wealth, financially, to actually take care of those liabilities.” These are the words of today’s guest Charles “Chuck” Marohn. Chuck is the founder and president of Strong Towns, as well as a professional engineer and land use planner with decades of experience. He is also the author o
Mass Migration with Parag Khanna
Because of the pervasive media coverage of Trumpism, Brexit, and the like, it is easy to assume that the dominant sentiment around the world is that mass migration is a new and terrifying phenomenon that could upend the world as we know it. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth, and we’ve brought Parag Khanna, founder of FutureMap, to explain why. Not only has most of the world remained
e-Residency in Estonia with Lauri Haav
At the beginning of 2021 Lauri Haav altered his career path from the world of tech startups to the realm of government. This might sound like an incongruous move, but the Estonian government is more advanced than most countries in terms of its level of digitization and its embracing of technology, and Lauri is currently running a program which is the first of its kind. Almost 7 years ago Estonia l
The Royal Society of the Arts with Anton Howes
For the past 270 years, The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has been the U. K's national improvement agency. If this sounds difficult to wrap your head around, it's because it is hard to pin down exactly what a national improvement agency does. Today's guest, Anton Howes, is a historian of innovation, and his first book is Arts and Minds: How the Royal
The Impact of Technology and Remote Access on Cities and Suburbs with Dror Poleg
Today’s guest is Dror Poleg, an economic historian who explores how physical and digital systems affect human behavior, well-being, and dignity. Dror joins us on the show to talk about how technology is undermining the basic foundations of real estate’s value and how this is scrambling a lot of what we know about buildings as well as cities. Dror’s thesis is that because of the way technology has
Shaping a Preferable Economic Future with Eli Dourado
As we step into a new decade, it’s a good time to reflect on our expectations for the next 10 years. There are a wide variety of possible futures, some of them more plausible than others, but how do we shape a preferable future? Today’s guest believes that technological advancements could result in what he calls the ‘Roaring 20s’, with a productivity and economic boom that extends well beyond the
The Decline and Rise of Democracy with David Stasavage
The complex history of democracy and its global origins isn’t taught in school. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to self-educate. On today’s episode, we speak with David Stasavage, a Professor of Political Science and Dean of Social Sciences at the University of New York. He allows us to dip into his incredible wealth of knowledge around the history of this form of governance, as well as givin
Understanding the Hidden Forces that Shape Society with Samo Burja
There has never been an immortal society. No matter how technologically advanced our own society is, it is unlikely to be an exception. In order to achieve a positive future that defies these odds, it is critical that we understand the hidden forces that shape society. To help us do that is today’s guest, Samo Burja, a sociologist and the Founder of Bismarck Analysis, a consulting firm that invest
The Making of Nigeria with Feyi Fawehinmi
Today’s guest is Feyi Fawehinmi, author of Formation: The Making of Nigeria from Jihad to Amalgamation. Feyi joins us on the show to talk about the period of history in Nigeria that his book covers and we kick things of hearing our guest talk about his reasons for writing the book. After the Civil War in Nigeria, there was a cultural prohibition on developing a sense of history because of the
How Displaced People Can Build Economies with Alexander Betts
Refugees bring skills, talents, and aspirations and can be a benefit rather than a burden to receiving societies. Realizing this potential relies on moving beyond a purely humanitarian focus to fully include refugees in host-country economies, build economic opportunities in refugee-hosting regions, and navigate the ambiguous politics of refugee protection. In today’s episode of the Charter Cities
Sustainable Development Zones and a Better Life for Migrants with Joachim Rücker
Our guest today is Joachim Rücker, who currently serves as a key partner in the Sustainable Development Zone Alliance. Preceded by a varied and fascinating career, Joachim served as a special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Kosovo for the duration of its transition to independence and was responsible for its economic reconstruction. He was also the Mayor of a German Indu
Cost Differences in Railway Infrastructure Projects Globally with Alon Levy
Our guest today is Alon Levy, a fellow with the NYU Marron Institute. Their research focuses on public transportation and how to apply best practices from cities around the world. Our conversation is about the influence of politics and culture on the cost of building rail-based infrastructure projects across the globe and Alon sketches out many different scenarios, highlighting examples of good or
Bureaucratic Pockets of Effectiveness in Ghana with Erin McDonnell
Today’s guest is Erin McDonnell, Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame. She joins us on the show to discuss her recent book Patchwork Leviathan, which looks at the emergence of bureaucratic pockets of effectiveness, or high performing groups, within otherwise weak state administrations with a particular focus on Ghana. We unpack Erin’s findings on the causes of these bureaucr
The Political Economy of Immigration and Institutions with Alex Nowrasteh
A largely unexplored counterargument to immigration liberalization is that immigrants who come from countries with worse institutions will make the institutions in their destination country worse. In Wretched Refuse? The Political Economy of Immigration and Institutions, Alex Nowrasteh and Benjamin Powell respond to this argument and today we have Alex on the show to elaborate on their f
China’s Development Evolution with Yuen Yuen Ang
China’s rapid rise may seem unprecedented, but its journey is oddly familiar. The question is, where have we seen this type of development before, and what does the future have in store? Joining us today to answer this is Yuen Yuen Ang, Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan. Her research lies at the intersection of governance, bureaucracy, business and innovation and she exp
The Economics of Climate Change with Matthew E. Khan
Much talk around climate change focuses on mitigation, with far less attention paid to adaptation strategies. Matthew E. Khan, an Economics Professor at Johns Hopkins and Director of the 21st Centuries Cities Initiative, is a climate change adaptation optimist. His research focuses on urban and environmental economics. At the start of the year, he released two books, Unlocking The Potential of Pos
Africa, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow with Judd Devermont
Today we sit with Judd Devermont, Director of the Africa Program at CSIS, to find out Africa’s current global position. In our conversation, Judd reveals the continent’s shortcomings and touches on foreign policy and local democracy before pulling the curtain back on the many things that Africa can be hopeful for. The show opens with Judd telling us what inspired him to become an expert in his fie
One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger with Matthew Yglesias
Vox co-founder, policy writer, and celebrated journalist Matthew Yglesias knows what would actually make America great: more people. Today we speak with Matthew to discuss this idea as captured in his book One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger. After introducing him, we dive straight into the topic and ask Matthew to unpack how population growth will benefit the US. He then shares ho
Founding a Pan-African University with Leonard Wantchekon
From fleeing Benin for his pro-democracy activism to becoming a renowned Princeton professor and founding one of Africa’s most prestigious universities, Leonard Wantchekon’s life is as impressive as his economic and political research. Today we speak with Leonard and explore his story, academic work, and how he founded the African School of Economics (ASE). After sharing details about his early li
Development, Jim Wolfensohn, and The World Bank with Sebastian Mallaby
Today we sit with Sebastian Mallaby, a successful author and esteemed Senior Fellow for International Economics at the Council of Foreign Relations. He has also been a contributing columnist for The Washington Post and previously served on the editorial board. To open the show, we put Sebastian’s career into a nutshell before asking him to expand on his background. He tells us about some of his ea
Creating Global Financial Centers with Mark Beer
Creating and enforcing a watertight contract between two global parties is a challenging task. For starters, the world is rapidly evolving, and as a result, many contracts are in dispute. Though not unheard of, contract disputes are becoming commonplace and there is an increasing need to evolve systems. Today we talk with Mark Beer, a world-renowned buyer and once Chief Executive of the Dubai Inte
Ancient Cities with Greg Woolf
Cities may have seemed more fragile during the global COVID-19 lockdowns but, as Greg Woolf’s impressive studies of early urbanism show, cities have been re-invented many times. In today’s episode, listeners hear from Greg, who is an historian and archaeologist, specializing in the late Iron Age and the Roman Empire. Greg is currently the Director of the Institute of Classical Studies and a Profes
Historical Events and Economic Development with Dr. Nathan Nunn
There is a growing body of empirical evidence that points toward the important, long-term effects that historic events can have on economic development, and today’s guest, Dr. Nathan Nunn, is major player in this area of research. Dr. Nunn is a Professor of Economics at Harvard University, and his research ranges across development economics, political economy, economic history, and other areas, e
State Capacity, Religious Toleration, and Political Competition with Mark Koyama
Today’s guest is Mark Koyama, Economic Historian at George Mason University. Mark recently co-authored Persecution & Toleration: The Long Road to Religious Freedom with Noel Johnson, and in this episode, we talk to Mark about some of its big themes – state capacity, religious toleration, and political competition. We begin by hearing Mark’s ideas about a key argument in his book, the connectio
A City in the Cloud with Balaji Srinivasan
Digital technology has evolved to the point that by hitting keys and tapping mice buttons, you can literally build a city in the cloud. This viral idea was started by angel investor Balaji Srinivasan, who believes in creating cities with crowd-funded territories and governed by smart contracts. In our conversation with Balaji, we touch on many intricate topics that link to two concepts — using tec
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