A six-part Reason magazine podcast series about the frustrating and foolish aspects of American trade policy that make everyday items more expensive. From last year's sudden shortages of baby formula to the Jones Act and President Lyndon Johnson's infamous "Chicken War," host Eric Boehm sits down with industry experts and libertarian policy wonks to explore how these counterproductive rules got made – and explain why they can be so difficult to undo.
The Why We Can't Have Nice Things podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the unintended consequences of government regulations and laws. As an avid reader of Reason, I was already familiar with many of the topics discussed in this podcast, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned throughout the series. Not only is this podcast easy to listen to, but it is also incredibly well produced and engaging. Each episode features experts who fluently explain the problems caused by government rules and regulations, and they do so with a touch of humor that keeps listeners entertained.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to break down complicated policy matters into digestible pieces. The host does an exceptional job at simplifying complex issues and presenting them in a way that anyone can understand. This makes the content accessible to a wide range of listeners, from those who are well-versed in politics and economics to those who are just beginning to explore these topics.
Furthermore, the podcast follows a step-by-step approach, showing listeners the chain of actions that lead to unintended consequences. This allows for a deeper understanding of how government rules can make products more expensive or hinder growth and opportunity. The use of experts adds credibility to the discussions, as they provide valuable insights and expertise on each topic.
While there are many positive aspects to The Why We Can't Have Nice Things podcast, one potential downside is its focus primarily on U.S. government regulations. While this may be understandable given that it is produced by Reason magazine, it limits the scope of the discussions for international listeners who may be interested in similar issues happening in their own countries. Additionally, some listeners may find that certain episodes lack depth or fail to cover all aspects of a particular issue.
In conclusion, The Why We Can't Have Nice Things podcast is an informative and engaging series that effectively explains how government rules can have unintended consequences on various industries and opportunities for growth. Despite its U.S.-centric focus and occasional lack of depth, this podcast is an excellent resource for anyone interested in understanding the impact of regulations on our society. I highly recommend giving it a listen.
"There's nobody that says, wait, is this good for America? Is this good for the American consumer?"
"It's not easy to make one of these rules, but it's a thousand times harder to get rid of one."
"You need an argument for why this is good for society. That's important, but you also need money."
"It's just a very classic case of everything wrong with Washington."
The U.S. tariff code is "quite regressive and somewhat misogynist" because the most powerful lobbyist in Washington is muscle memory.
A combination of "absurdly high" federal tariffs and excessive FDA regulations created the conditions for a crisis.
A six-part podcast series on trade policy launching next week
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