In these podcasts, Professor Ramaa Vasudevan discusses how all people, not just bankers, need to understand finance and its relationship to social issues and power, and Professor Terry Iverson discusses the economic and political obstacles of lowering global emissions and why the problem is so difficult to address.
The Alchemy of Finance
Economics professor Ramaa Vasudevan is in the business of demystifying the mystique around finance. Everyone needs finance: businesses need it to invest and innovate; households need it to buy homes, goods, and save for retirement. So why is finance treated as something only big bankers should understand, leaving the public to follow their guidance?
Vasudevan explains how this reliance breeds instability and inequality, noting historically how the top 1% has captured much of the financial gains following economic crashes and recovery; meanwhile, ordinary people saw loan rates rise, foreclosures increase, and retirement funds disappear.
Vasudevan also breaks down the importance of understanding finance as a social relation and power, not just transactions. She urges, “you must have enough knowledge to be able to know when the experts are playing the casino.”
Policy, Pricing, and the Planet
Hydrogen airplanes, lab-grown meat, carbon pricing, and tariff threats (trade agreements) ...these are some of the strategies being considered to address climate change.
Economics Professor Terry Iverson walks us through the economic and political obstacles of lowering global emissions and why the problem is so difficult to address. The absence of a powerful international authority, countries acting in isolation, and a general lack of incentive for nations to move together all create an interesting policy design challenge.
Iverson’s research focuses on helping people better understand why current climate policies are unlikely to work and exploring more viable paths to make progress on this worldwide problem.
Liberal Arts Impact
Colorado State University’s College of Liberal Arts is a vibrant community of artists, thinkers, storytellers, and scientists who examine the human experience. In these podcasts, our faculty share their areas of expertise and talk about why their work matters in our world today.
Faculty and staff recorded their podcasts with CSU's Center for Science Communication through the leadership of Associate Professor Jaime Jacobsen and her graduate students in the Department of Journalism and Media Communication.