en en The price of policy The Price of Policy explores the hidden economic consequences of political decisions. Each episode examines how incentives, institutions, and human behavior shape real-world outcomes. Instead of debating intentions, the podcast looks at mechanisms — how policies actually work once they meet reality. From welfare systems and education to taxation, trust, and state capacity, the series analyzes the forces that determine productivity and prosperity. The goal is not outrage or ideology, but clarity. Because policies rarely fail for the reasons politicians announce — they fail because incentives change behavior. Politics loves promises. Economics keeps the receipts. https://thepriceofpolicy.letscast.fm Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:42:04 +0200 Matthias Georg Rieger yes https://lcdn.letscast.fm/media/podcast/d0a7a1ef/artwork-3000x3000.jpg?t=1772706970 The price of policy https://thepriceofpolicy.letscast.fm Matthias Georg Rieger LetsCast.fm (https://letscast.fm) Matthias Georg Rieger episodic https://letscast.fm/podcasts/the-price-of-policy-22c83d4c/feed Social Cohesion, Welfare State, Work Incentives, Political Economy, Taxation Matthias Georg Rieger matthias.rieger@gmx.net no no no Matthias Georg Rieger The Price of Policy explores the hidden economic consequences of political decisions. Each episode examines how incentives, institutions, and human behavior shape real-world outcomes. Instead of debating intentions, the podcast looks at mechanisms — how policies actually work once they meet reality. From welfare systems and education to taxation, trust, and state capacity, the series analyzes the forces that determine productivity and prosperity. The goal is not outrage or ideology, but clarity. Because policies rarely fail for the reasons politicians announce — they fail because incentives change behavior. Politics loves promises. Economics keeps the receipts. no no 8f1e21f32cce46e882fcef7821885f80 Education, Skills, and the Productivity Illusion Why doesn’t more education automatically lead to higher productivity? This episode argues that rising qualifications often function as signals in job competition rather than true drivers of value creation. We examine how credential inflation, misaligned incentives in education systems, and institutional structures can suppress productivity growth. Drawing on data and case studies, it shows why economies can stagnate despite higher levels of formal education. The uncomfortable conclusion: it’s not more education, but better incentives that determine economic progress.]]> Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Why doesn’t more education automatically lead to higher productivity? This episode argues that rising qualifications often function as signals in job competition rather than true drivers of value creation. We examine how credential inflation, misaligned incentives in education systems, and institutional structures can suppress productivity growth. Drawing on data and case studies, it shows why economies can stagnate despite higher levels of formal education. The uncomfortable conclusion: it’s not more education, but better incentives that determine economic progress.]]> https://thepriceofpolicy.letscast.fm/episode/education-skills-and-the-productivity-illusion Education, Skills, and the Productivity Illusion 00:40:05 Matthias Georg Rieger 4 full Why doesn’t more education automatically lead to higher productivity? This episode argues that rising qualifications often function as signals in job competition rather than true drivers of value creation. We examine how credential inflation, misaligned incentives in education systems, and institutional structures can suppress productivity growth. Drawing on data and case studies, it shows why economies can stagnate despite higher levels of formal education. The uncomfortable conclusion: it’s not more education, but better incentives that determine economic progress.]]> no no no no 0e23fa797e164214b4b1b8c4ec561ef4 Inheritance, Capital, and the Quiet Destruction of Continuity Inheritance is often framed as a moral question about inequality — but economically it is also a mechanism that transfers businesses and productive capital across generations. When companies pass from parents to children, what is inherited is not only wealth, but also knowledge, relationships, and jobs.
Yet when succession becomes a liquidity event through taxation, profitable firms may be forced to sell, take on debt, or break apart. In Europe, where family businesses form the backbone of the economy, successful succession determines the future of millions of jobs.
This episode explores why inheritance policy is not just about fairness — but about who ultimately owns the productive foundation of an economy. 
]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Inheritance is often framed as a moral question about inequality — but economically it is also a mechanism that transfers businesses and productive capital across generations. When companies pass from parents to children, what is inherited is not only wealth, but also knowledge, relationships, and jobs.
Yet when succession becomes a liquidity event through taxation, profitable firms may be forced to sell, take on debt, or break apart. In Europe, where family businesses form the backbone of the economy, successful succession determines the future of millions of jobs.
This episode explores why inheritance policy is not just about fairness — but about who ultimately owns the productive foundation of an economy. 
]]> https://thepriceofpolicy.letscast.fm/episode/inheritance-capital-and-the-quiet-destruction-of-continuity Inheritance, Capital, and the Quiet Destruction of Continuity 00:42:48 Matthias Georg Rieger 3 full Inheritance is often framed as a moral question about inequality — but economically it is also a mechanism that transfers businesses and productive capital across generations. When companies pass from parents to children, what is inherited is not only wealth, but also knowledge, relationships, and jobs.
Yet when succession becomes a liquidity event through taxation, profitable firms may be forced to sell, take on debt, or break apart. In Europe, where family businesses form the backbone of the economy, successful succession determines the future of millions of jobs.
This episode explores why inheritance policy is not just about fairness — but about who ultimately owns the productive foundation of an economy. 
]]> no no no no 3f4189271c7d41169ef16bfd0d15bc8b Growth, Wealth, and the Dangerous Romance with Envy Episode one explores why economic growth is often politically undervalued and socially misunderstood.
It examines the tension between wealth creation and the growing suspicion toward success in modern politics.
Through research, examples, and economic reasoning, the episode explains how incentives shape investment, risk-taking, and opportunity.
It also shows why redistribution without growth eventually turns prosperity into conflict over scarcity.
Hosted by Matthias Rieger, The Price of Policy looks at what happens when political ideals collide with economic reality. ]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Episode one explores why economic growth is often politically undervalued and socially misunderstood.
It examines the tension between wealth creation and the growing suspicion toward success in modern politics.
Through research, examples, and economic reasoning, the episode explains how incentives shape investment, risk-taking, and opportunity.
It also shows why redistribution without growth eventually turns prosperity into conflict over scarcity.
Hosted by Matthias Rieger, The Price of Policy looks at what happens when political ideals collide with economic reality. ]]> https://thepriceofpolicy.letscast.fm/episode/growth-wealth-and-the-dangerous-romance-with-envy Growth, Wealth, and the Dangerous Romance with Envy 00:42:56 Matthias Georg Rieger 2 full Episode one explores why economic growth is often politically undervalued and socially misunderstood.
It examines the tension between wealth creation and the growing suspicion toward success in modern politics.
Through research, examples, and economic reasoning, the episode explains how incentives shape investment, risk-taking, and opportunity.
It also shows why redistribution without growth eventually turns prosperity into conflict over scarcity.
Hosted by Matthias Rieger, The Price of Policy looks at what happens when political ideals collide with economic reality. ]]> Economic Growth, Inequality, Incentives, Wealth, Political Economy no no no no 56b416b38e8d4b188ef5396aadca1886 Trailer The Price of Policy explores the hidden economic consequences of political decisions.
Each episode examines how incentives, institutions, and trade-offs shape growth, wealth, and the welfare state.
Instead of outrage or ideology, the podcast focuses on calm analysis and empirical evidence.
It asks a simple question: what actually happens when political ideas meet economic reality?
Hosted by Matthias Rieger, economics teacher and political commentator. ]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0100 The Price of Policy explores the hidden economic consequences of political decisions.
Each episode examines how incentives, institutions, and trade-offs shape growth, wealth, and the welfare state.
Instead of outrage or ideology, the podcast focuses on calm analysis and empirical evidence.
It asks a simple question: what actually happens when political ideas meet economic reality?
Hosted by Matthias Rieger, economics teacher and political commentator. ]]> https://thepriceofpolicy.letscast.fm/episode/trailer Trailer 00:02:22 Matthias Georg Rieger 1 full The Price of Policy explores the hidden economic consequences of political decisions.
Each episode examines how incentives, institutions, and trade-offs shape growth, wealth, and the welfare state.
Instead of outrage or ideology, the podcast focuses on calm analysis and empirical evidence.
It asks a simple question: what actually happens when political ideas meet economic reality?
Hosted by Matthias Rieger, economics teacher and political commentator. ]]> Economics, Public Policy, Economic Policy, Political Economy, Markets, Incentives, Institutions no no no no