Part 2 of 2

What does history have to teach us about the current geopolitical, economic, and investment environment? A great deal according to renowned historian Niall Ferguson.

His thesis is that applying the lessons of history to contemporary events can result in better investment outcomes.

The titles of some of his 16 books underscore his wide scope as a historian.

Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire; The War of the World: Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West; The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World; The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook.

One of the biggest, most consequential debates among economists, investors and policymakers is over inflation. Is the recent global surge in prices a temporary blip from economies reopening from pandemic shutdowns, or is it a more lasting development with serious consequences?

In this week’s program we pick up on that point – I asked Ferguson about the opposite view, that the pandemic shock and burden of record amounts of debt could actually impede growth and be disinflationary. Ferguson shares his views on this, along with his thoughts on China, cryptocurrencies, and the new world of decentralized finance.