The Economics Of It

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. Read more on rent control: Rent Control: The Ceiling Trap https://mason.gmu.edu/~atabarro/RentControl/ New Meta-Study Details the Distortive Effects of Rent Control https://www.cato.org/commentary/new-meta-study-details-distortive-effects-rent-control Rent Control: An Old, Bad Idea That Won’t Go Away https://www.cato.org/commentary/rent-control-old-bad-idea-wont-go-away The Politics of Price Controls https://www.cato.org/commentary/politics-price-controls Book: The War on Prices https://www.cato.org/books/war-prices Host & Producer: Ryan BourneSenior Producer: Barbara GallettiVideo Editor: Lena Popilieva Audio Engineer: Cecil ShermanDirector of Photography: Darren WalkerAssistant Producer: Nathan MillerMotion Graphics: Jonathan FieldsOriginal Music: Cecil Sherman Executive Producer: Kristina Kendall

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 More on this topic:Angus Deaton Inadvertently Shows Why We Shouldn’t Care about Economic Inequality Stats: https://www.cato.org/commentary/angus-deaton-inadvertently-shows-why-we-shouldnt-care-about-economic-inequality-statsFailures of Wealth Taxation: https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/failures-wealth-taxationExploring Wealth Inequality: https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/exploring-wealth-inequality Host & Producer: Ryan BourneSenior Producer: Barbara GallettiVideo Editor: Lena PopilievaAudio Engineer: Sedona LaMarreDirector of Photography: Darren WalkerAssistant Producer: Nathan MillerMotion Graphics: Jonathan FieldsOriginal Music: Cecil ShermanExecutive Producer: Kristina Kendall

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.