GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics

Ejector Seat

The latest on the pandemic front: kids ages 5–12 receiving vaccines and a federal deadline for private employers to comply with new vaccine rules set for January. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University School of Medicine professor, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane for a wide-ranging conversation on COVID-19, encompassing mask sensibility, vaccine efficacy, and where Anthony Fauci and public health officials went astray.

Recorded November 4, 2021

Meta Love Shack

Live from the Hoover Institution’s Fall Retreat: Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane discussing think tanks’ role in today’s world, Washington’s absurdist tax proposals, Facebook’s rebrand, and China’s hypersonic missile test as a Sputnik-like wake-up call—plus one GoodFellow’s affinity for the B-52’s (the band, not the bomber).

Recorded October 29, 2021

“Fresh Soldiers”

Recorded October 19, 2021

 

interview with John H. Cochrane, H. R. McMaster, Bill Whalen, Caroline M. Hoxby

 

The late Colin Powell’s story is one of an immigrant’s son who rose to prominence based on a quality public-school education and enrollment in college ROTC. Hoover senior fellows H. R. McMaster, John Cochrane, and guest Caroline Hoxby discuss whether today’s generation stands to benefit the same as Powell’s, what role teachers play, how elite universities can better connect to lower-income students, plus COVID’s effect on the workplace in terms of remote work and concentrated workforces.

Big Three Summit

The 60th episode of the series includes a first: the three “Good Fellows” mixing it up in person, in the same room, on the grounds of the Hoover Institution. Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane discuss Congress’s handling of the Afghanistan debacle, pushback against COVID vaccine mandates, the present supply-chain “crisis,” and Facebook’s uncertain future—plus one fellow’s deep disdain for the music of Pink Floyd.

Recorded October 13, 2021

Economists Rule?

As Washington mulls trillions in “human infrastructure” spending and remains at an impasse over raising the federal debt ceiling, what are the economic consequences? Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson and John Cochrane are joined by economic historian Tyler Goodspeed, Hoover’s Kleinheinz Fellow and a former acting chair of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, to discuss the latest DC drama, the present supply-chain crisis and cryptocurrency’s future.

Recorded October 6, 2021

“Always Be An Autodidact”

In this week’s episode, we dove into our mailbag of viewers’ letters. The end result: Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane answering questions ranging from the future of US-Sino relations, sovereign debt, vaccine stockpiling, and bitcoin to advice for young students, the fellows’ favorite scholars, and movies related to their respective fields.

Recorded September 28, 2021

Stable . . . And Stagnant?

Europe’s future includes a post-Merkel Germany, the fallout over the AUSUK technology deal, a shaky NATO alliance post-Afghanistan, Ukraine’s uncertain outlook, plus Russian control of natural gas supplies. Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster and John Cochrane discuss the mood on the other side of the Atlantic, as well as President Biden’s UN address and China’s financial reckoning.

 

Recorded September 21, 2021

As California Goes . . .?

Pre-COVID, California governor Gavin Newsom touted his state’s policies as “America’s coming attractions.” Does that apply to the Golden State’s recall election—its overtones of vaccine mandates, abortion rights, and championing progressive ideals setting the stage for upcoming elections? Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane discuss California’s outlook and whether the pendulum currently swings left or right in America and around the globe.

Recorded September 14, 2021

Safer But Not Yet Safe

The approaching twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the American homeland is a time to remember the fallen and reflect on lessons learned from that terrible day, including America’s readiness for a similar event. Condoleezza Rice, the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and President George W. Bush’s national security advisor at the time of the attacks, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson and John Cochrane to relive the White House’s response that day and shares her concerns about US national security moving forward.

Recorded September 9, 2021

Papier-Mâché Tiger

America’s inability to adequately game-plan and execute a clean withdrawal from Afghanistan brings into question the foresight and competency of the nation’s political and foreign policy establishment. Hoover Institution senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane discuss what went wrong in Kabul, the harm done to US prestige, and whether the image of a weakened America at odds with its NATO allies opens the door to Chinese and Russian aggression.

Recorded August 24, 2021