"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg: International Development, The Reserve Currency, and Xi Jinping’s Legacy

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This week, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg unpack China's economic strategies under Xi Jinping, from the controversial tech crackdown to the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. They explore the intricacies of international currency dynamics, dissect Ben Bernanke's pivotal role in the 2008 financial crisis, and examine the complex effects of brain drain on developing nations.

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LINKS:

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:02) Japan's economic revival

(03:18) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) insights

(11:27) Brain drain vs. Brain gain

(18:30) Sponsors: GiveWell | Weights & Biases

(20:38) Impact of U.S. inflation on global economies

(24:26) Countries reliance of dollar

(28:22) Future of the US dollar as a reserve currency

(30:58) China's economic stimulus and bank bailouts

(35:23) Sponsors: Alts | Dealcraft

(37:16) 2008 bank bailout

(39:02) Xi Jinping's economic and political missteps

(44:37) Belt and Road initiative

(47:15) China's internal struggles and leadership

(49:42) Strategies for China's future success

(53:25) Wrap