About this episode
<p>Economists don’t usually talk about “culture.” But Joel Mokyr argues that it’s the engine of innovation — and the Nobel Prize committee agreed. Stephen Dubner sits down for a thousand-year conversation (including advice!) with the new Nobel laureate.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>SOURCES:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://economics.northwestern.edu/people/directory/joel-mokyr.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joel Mokyr</a>, economic historian at Northwestern University.</li> </ul></li> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>RESOURCES:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691265940/two-paths-to-prosperity" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>Two Paths to Prosperity: Culture and Institutions in Europe and China, 1000–2000</i></a><i>, </i>by Avner Greif, Joel Mokyr, and, Guido Tabellini (2025).</li> <li>"<a href="https://www.nber.org/digest/20233/outsize-role-immigrants-us-innovation?page=1&perPage=50" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Outsize Role of Immigrants in US Innovation</a>," by Shai Bernstein, Rebecca Diamond, Abhisit Jiranaphawiboon, Timothy McQuade, and Beatriz Pousada <i>(NBER, </i>2023).</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3Pg7wce" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>A Culture of Growth: The Origins of the Modern Economy</i></a><i>, </i>by Joel Mokyr (2016).</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/4rZ7fJw" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty</i></a><i>, </i>by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson (2012).</li> <li>"<a href="https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/sites.northwestern.edu/dist/3/1222/files/2016/06/The-Economics-Of-Being-Jewish-2gdly5t.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Economics of Being Jewish</a>," by Joel Mokyr (<i>Critical Review, 2011</i>).</li> </ul></li> </ul><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>