The latest EconTalk is a conversation with Timothy Brook, author of Vermeer’s Hat, a lovely book that looks at the dawn of globalization in the 17th century by examining Vermeer’s paintings and other bits of Dutch culture. We talk about the beaver trade (that supplies the fur that becomes the felt that becomes the hat of a wooing officer in a Vermeer painting) and porcelain from China (that holds fruit in the foreground of another). We also discuss how different attitudes toward the foreign and the novel affect the evolution of a nation’s prosperity.
Vermeer's Hat
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Globalization is only evil to those that have something to lose by 100% protectionism. I.e., unions who want to protect soon-to-be-obsolete skills and pension packages that are non-competitive on the global market.
Russ,
The interview was very good.
I just bough the book after listening to the podcast, History, trade and art toghether , sounds like a good book for the summer here in the south.
Love the podcast , keep the quality !
Even when I haven't previously heard of your interviewees they turn out to be amazing "gets". I recommend EconTalk to friends and on my blog. It's my only "can't miss" podcast.