Boom Bust Season 2 Episode 38 Barry Eichengreen On Scottish Devolution and Europe and Lindsay France On Graphene

In season 2 episode 38 of Boom Bust, viewers are treated to a fascinating discussion on two different topics. The first part of the episode features an interview with Barry Eichengreen on Scottish devolution and Europe. Eichengreen is a renowned economist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He has written extensively on international economics, and in this episode, he shares his thoughts on the impact of devolution on Scotland's economy, as well as the relationship between Scotland and the European Union.

Eichengreen begins by explaining that Scotland has a unique position within the UK's economy, as it has significant natural resources, especially in the North Sea oil fields. However, the recent drop in oil prices has had a negative impact on Scotland's economy, and Eichengreen argues that devolution could give Scotland the flexibility it needs to respond to economic shocks like this in the future.

He also discusses the potential impact of Brexit on Scotland's economy, noting that if the UK leaves the European Union, it could have significant consequences for Scotland's exports and for the movement of people and capital. Eichengreen argues that if Scotland were to become independent, it could potentially rejoin the EU and continue to benefit from free trade and other economic advantages.

The second part of the episode features a discussion on graphene with Lindsay France, an investigative journalist and host of the show "The Big Picture." Graphene is a material made of a single layer of carbon atoms that has many unique properties, including high strength and conductivity. It has been touted as a potential "wonder material" with a wide range of applications, from electronics to medicine.

France discusses the current state of research on graphene, including some of the challenges that researchers are facing in developing practical applications for the material. She also highlights some of the areas where graphene is already being used, such as in batteries and sensors.

Overall, season 2 episode 38 of Boom Bust provides viewers with a thought-provoking discussion on two very different topics: Scottish devolution and graphene. The episode features expert analysis and insights on these topics from some of the leading thinkers in their respective fields.