The price of policy

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.

Alle Folgen

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.

Growth, Wealth, and the Dangerous Romance with Envy

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.

Trailer