Ones and Tooze - podcast cover

Ones and Tooze

Foreign Policyforeignpolicy.com
Foreign Policy economics columnist Adam Tooze, a history professor and a popular author, is encyclopedic about basically everything: from the COVID shutdown, to climate change, to pasta sauce. On our new podcast, Tooze and FP deputy editor Cameron Abadi will look at two data points each week that explain the world: one drawn from the week’s headlines and the other from just about anywhere else Tooze takes us. Check out Adam Tooze’s column at https://foreignpolicy.com/author/adam-tooze/.

Episodes

What Fluctuating Oil and Gas Prices Mean for the World.

Adam and Cameron look at dropping prices for crude oil and forecast what that might mean for the global economy. And they take a broader look at energy consumption and what can be done to curb it in times of crisis. In the second segment the two take a deep dive into playgrounds and the history of how they've been valued. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 08, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 41

What NATO Expansion Means for Europe and the World

NATO is enlarging its rapid response force from 40,000 to 300,000, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine—a huge expansion. But who will foot the bill and how will the force operate in practice? Adam and Cameron discuss these and other questions in the first segment of the episode. Then, to mark the July 4th holiday, they dive into the history and economics of...hot dogs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 01, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 40

How Flying Got to be so Miserable

On this episode, Adam and Cameron explain why flight disruptions and cancellations are the new normal. They also discuss the economics of summer vacation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 24, 202233 minSeason 1Ep. 39

The Fed Interest Rate Hike

It has been a rocky week for the U.S. economy, with record high inflation reports and the Federal Reserve increasing benchmark interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point. This is the steepest hike in close to thirty years. In this episode, Adam and Cam make sense of this spike and ponder what the Biden administration should do to curb inflation – if anything. Later on, they set their eyes on Colombia, which has a presidential election on Sunday. For the first time in Colombia, there'...

Jun 17, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 38

Why the Ukraine War has Germany Worried About Bunkers

In this episode, Cameron and Adam dive deep into the economics of bunkers. Mostly seen as relics of the Cold War, they now are gaining renewed interest with the conflict in Ukraine. Then, the two discuss the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago in the North Atlantic ocean. Despite its tiny size and dreary climate, it has managed to thrive economically with a robust fishing industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 10, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 37

How Banning Abortion Affects the Economic Lives of Women

With the U.S. Supreme Court apparently poised to overturn abortion rights, Adam and Cameron discuss the potential economic impact on women. Later on the show, they look at the economic indicators that characterized the 1970s—inflation, high energy prices, and slower growth—and discuss whether our national feeling of déjà vu is warranted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 03, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 36

The Impact of School Shootings

It was hard not to think about the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. In this week’s show, Cam and Adam look at where funding for school safety actually goes and what emerging research tells us about the long-term impact of school shootings on children’s futures. Later in the show, with Adam in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, Adam and Cam consider what makes the Swiss economy special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 202232 minSeason 1Ep. 35

What Does a Crypto Crash Portend for the Economy?

With the collapse of stablecoin and the blow to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin hosts Adam Tooze and Cameron Abadi take another look at crypto markets and parse out what's behind their instability. Plus, a look at the link between air conditioning and productivity and why climate change is making cooling technology increasingly vital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 20, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 34

Why Low Unemployment Isn’t Better News

The U.S. unemployment rate is 3.6 percent, the lowest it’s been since the pandemic began in March 2020. So why aren’t we celebrating that? Adam and Cam dig into the other things bumming people out about the economy, as well as how low unemployment and inflation impact each other. In this first segment, Adam and Cam also answer the show’s first-ever listener audio question! After that, they look at Africa’s population boom and the economic questions that come along with it. Learn more about your ...

May 13, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 33

Why the U.S. Stock Market is Tanking

The U.S. stock market has dropped more in recent days than any other period since March 2020, the beginning of the pandemic. Adam and Cameron analyze why this is happening, beyond obvious reasons like the Fed interest rate increasing, and how much we should worry about it. Later in the show, they look at the economics behind the arms race in the war in Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 06, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 32

Bonus: Why is May Day so Violent in Berlin?

This wonderful, nearly ten minute tangent did not quite make its way into our latest episode. But we thought many of you would appreciate Cameron and Adam's Berliner discussion. So here's that whole segment as a bonus May Day special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 30, 202210 min

How the Labor Movement Got Its Day

In this episode, Cameron and Adam look ahead to the upcoming May Day celebration and discuss the roots of this holiday as well as the current state of the labor movement. In the second segment, they talk about the economic impact of the massive outpouring of refugees from Ukraine both for Ukraine and for the host countries receiving Ukrainians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 29, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 31

Who Wins and Who Loses With Inflation

In this episode Cameron and Adam discuss how inflation is having an impact on wide swaths of the US economy and what tools are available to curb the rise. Adam also looks back at past inflation crisis to help decipher what course may be most prudent this time around. In the 2nd segment, the two discuss the critical state of Sri Lanka's economy which has suspended payments of its 51 billion dollars of foreign debt. Adam says Sri Lanka's crisis may be a harbinger for other developing economy which...

Apr 22, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Why the American Tax System is Such a Mess

On paper, at least, the American tax code is one of the most progressive in the world. In reality, it's deeply unfair and inefficient. On this episode, Adam and Cameron discuss how it got this way and how it compares to the systems of other countries. Also, to mark Easter Sunday, Cameron and Adam discuss the financial state of the Catholic Church. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 202230 minSeason 1Ep. 29

The Fall and Rise of the Russian Ruble

Western sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine quickly led the Ruble to lose more than 45 percent of its value. But these days, the Russian currency is back to its pre-war value. Cameron and Adam explain the turnaround and discuss what it means for the war. Also on the show: The economics of canned fish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 08, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 28

The French Election

The first round of the French presidential election is coming up on April 10. On the latest episode of Ones and Tooze, Adam and Cameron analyze what French President Emmanuel Macron’s views really are – and what it says about how France has changed. Also, there’s an April Fools’ Day special: a segment on the economics of humor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 01, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 27

The Economics Behind Mariupol

More than 100,000 people currently want to evacuate the besieged city of Mariupol in Ukraine. On this episode of Ones and Tooze, Adam Tooze and Cameron Abadi look at the significance of this port city to Ukraine and Russia’s military campaign. Also on the show, Tooze and Abadi commemorate the Godfather’s 50th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 25, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 26

The Collapse of China's Zero-COVID Policy

More than 50 million people are living under lockdown restrictions in China amid a dramatic surge of COVID cases. Adam and Cameron discuss the potential economic impact for countries around the world. Also, just in time for spring, a segment on the global flower industry, worth some $8.5 billion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 18, 202230 minSeason 1Ep. 25

How Rising Oil Prices Will Change the World as We Know It

As the war in Ukraine entered its third week, the price of a barrel of oil peaked at $130, its highest since 2008. The pain is already spreading around the world—to people who rely on gas to get to work or oil to heat their homes. On the show this week, Adam and Cameron discuss the possible longterm effects of the spike, including the impact on inflation and climate change. Also on the show: Don't bet against New Yorkers. In the first month since gambling became legal in the state, residents put...

Mar 11, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 24

The War on Russia's Economy

On this episode, Adam and Cameron discuss the sanctions Europe and the United States have imposed on Russia's economy in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The penalties are unprecedented in scope but will they bring an early end to the war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 04, 202232 minSeason 1Ep. 23

How Biden's Sanctions Against Russia Fall Short

On this episode, Cameron and Adam discuss the sanctions President Biden has imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and the gaping hole that allows Russia to continue exporting oil and gas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 25, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 22

Could a Group of Truckers Actually Hurt the Canadian Economy?

Adam and Cameron take a closer look at the economics of the Canadian trucker protest to see how much damage one blockade can inflict on the entire Canadian economy and why a singular bridge has such outsized importance for trade between the US and Canada. In the second segment, a look at the Winter Olympics from an economic standpoint; how beneficial are they for the host country, the IOC, and individual athletes? And how much is an Olympic gold medal actually worth? Learn more about your ad cho...

Feb 18, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 21

Is the U.S. Economy Really Booming?

The U.S. economy grew close to 6% in 2021, the strongest year in nearly four decades. On this episode of Ones and Tooze, Adam Tooze and Cameron Abadi analyze how we have bounced back from the pandemic recession, and what ways the economy is still falling short. Spoiler: It’s more than inflation. Also on this show, a Valentine’s Day special: Tooze and Abadi look into why perfume is booming and how the scent industry actually works. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/sub...

Feb 11, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 20

Why Crypto Can't Buy Happiness

The cryptocurrency market has lost some $1.1 trillion in value over recent months. On this episode, Adam and Cameron discuss what accounts for the tumble and what function crypto serves beyond its appeal to financial speculators. Also on the show, the last of our lifecycle segments focuses on inheritance and, more specifically, on where the vast fortunes accumulated by the Baby Boomer generation will go when its members die off. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subsc...

Feb 04, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 19

The Economic Legacy of Boris Johnson

If Prime Minister Boris Johnson loses his job over the the scandals now engulfing the British government, his political obituary will focus on just three things: Brexit, COVID, and Partygate. On this week's episode, Adam and Cameron discuss the sordid legacy of a man who seemed almost invincible just two years ago, and analyze the economic impact of Johnson's policies. Also on the show, part three of the lifecycle series: The Tawdry Arithmetic of the Midlife Crisis. Save 15% on FP subscriptions....

Jan 28, 202238 min

Inside the Davos Bubble

It's been lampooned as a gathering of "the rich and the clueless." U2 lead singer Bono referred to its attendees as "fat cats in the snow." So what makes the World Economic Forum's annual conference in Davos so closely watched? Co-host Adam Tooze has been there twice and would have traveled to Switzerland again this year had the confab not been relegated to online-only status thanks to Omicron. Instead, he talks to Cameron Abadi about what really happens in Davos and how the super rich different...

Jan 21, 202232 minSeason 1Ep. 17

How Would Sanctions Work Against Russia Over Ukraine?

Talks with Russia to resolve the Ukraine crisis hit a dead end this week. As Foreign Policy reports, top Biden administration officials have reiterated the possibility of economic actions against Russia if it invades Ukraine. ​​On Ones and Tooze this week, Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze explain how potential U.S. sanctions against Russia would work, and analyze the state of Russia’s economy in general. Later in the show, our hosts delve into the first of a four-part series on what they’re calling ...

Jan 14, 202235 minSeason 1Ep. 16

The Economics of the Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones

After watching the Beatles: Get Back sessions, Cameron Abadi was inspired to dive deeper into the economics of the Beatles versus the Rolling Stones with Adam Tooze. So, rock lovers rejoice, that’s what you’ll get in the second half of Ones and Tooze this week. But first, Tooze and Abadi dig into the heated online debate over price controls. For those not following, the internet somewhat broke over a Guardian op-ed arguing that price controls could fight inflation. Tooze tempers the hysteria and...

Jan 07, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 15

From the Archive: How Inflation Works

When we first aired this episode of Ones and Tooze on why prices are rising, analysts were warning of a possible inflation crisis. Now, two months later, the crisis is here, with inflation at a four-decade high. Listen to hosts Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss how inflation works and what it means for ordinary people around the world. Also on the show: what Germany’s increasing demand for Italian pasta says about the European Union economy. This is our last episode of 2021, so happy new year...

Dec 24, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 14

The Pentagon vs. Walmart

Congress has approved a $768 billion defense budget for 2022. If the Pentagon were a private company, would it be bigger than Amazon? Walmart? Also, can $859 billion buy you love? Or at least domestic goodwill? That's the amount of money Americans will spend on themselves and their loved ones ahead of the Christmas holiday. Save 15% on FP subscriptions. Visit https://foreignpolicy.com/subscribe/ and enter code TOOZE at checkout to claim this offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

Dec 17, 202131 minSeason 1Ep. 13