The Economics Of It

The Economics of Rent Control

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 11:45:00 GMT

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has delivered on his promise to freeze rents on rent-stabilized apartments. And while rent control is nothing new in New York, support for the policy is growing across the country. Who actually benefits from controlled rents? And what happens when tenants need to move, landlords need to make repairs, or families need more space?

Ryan Bourne and Alex Tabarrok explore the economics of rent control, from housing supply and maintenance to who really benefits from lower rents. Drawing on Tabarrok’s visual essay Rent Control: The Ceiling Trap, they examine the unintended consequences of trying to make housing cheaper by controlling its price.

The Economics of Main Street Millionaires

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 11:45:00 GMT

Who are the rich in America? Tech billionaires and Wall Street financiers dominate the headlines, but roughly three million private-business owners are worth at least $5 million each, scattered right across the country.

Economists Eric Zwick and Owen Zidar, the authors of The Everywhere Millionaire, join host Ryan Bourne to explain who these “Main Street Millionaires” are, how they got rich, and what their stories tell us about the health of the American Dream.

Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250378508?lv=shuf&hvlocphy=9007525&hvptwo=&hvnetw=g&mcid=&hvext=372818529804&hvadid=812902853505&language=en_US&hvpone=&hvlocint=&hvcampaign=23946702469&hydadcr=10515_13903858_2508815&hvpos=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvocijid=17587560212302598051--&hvqmt=a&hvexpln=0&tag=smgglusdsadts-20&hvtargid=kwl-2484167636399&adgrpid=197419383013&hvrand=17587560212302598051&channelId=500&ref_=&plpRedirect=mhFallback

The Economics of Kalshi

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:45:00 GMT

Is a prediction market just gambling in a financial suit? Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour says no: a casino bets against you, while an exchange simply matches buyers and sellers and takes no side.

Host Ryan Bourne asks him about prediction markets' forecasting records, how businesses can use these event contracts to hedge risk, and the turf war over who regulates them, Washington or the states.

The Wisdom of Crowds: An Intro to Prediction Markets, Cato Weekly Podcast: https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-podcast/wisdom-crowds-intro-prediction-markets

Prediction Markets Are Not ‘Just Gambling’ Platforms: https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/10/prediction-markets-are-not-just-gambling-platforms/

Prediction Markets Should Not Be Subject to Fragmented Regulation: https://www.cato.org/blog/prediction-markets-should-not-be-subject-fragmented-regulation

Ban prediction markets? That didn’t go well in 1591: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/09/24/prediction-markets-should-not-be-treated-like-casinos/

Host & Producer: Ryan Bourne

Senior Producer: Barbara Galletti

Video Editor: Darren Walker

Audio Engineer: Cecil Sherman

Director of Photography: Darren Walker

Assistant Producer: Nathan Miller

Motion Graphics: Jonathan Fields

Original Music: Cecil Sherman

Executive Producer: Kristina Kendall

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Coming Soon: The Economics of It with Ryan Bourne

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:24:55 GMT

Economics isn't just about stock markets or GDP numbers. It's the study of the choices we all make when time, money, land, energy, and attention are limited.

On The Economics of It, Cato Institute economist Ryan Bourne sits down each week with leading economists, thinkers, and authors to uncover the hidden economics behind today's biggest debates. From rent control to tariffs, AI to the cost of war, if it's making headlines, there's economics behind it.

Each episode goes beyond the talking points with clear economic reasoning, asking how policies actually play out, who benefits, who bears the costs, and what unintended consequences follow.

New episodes every Thursday, starting October 29th. Subscribe so you don't miss one.

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