Big Green Economics

Why did Dartmouth bring back the SAT?

In episode 12 of The Big Green Economics Podcast, Dartmouth economist Professor Bruce Sacerdote discusses the research that led Dartmouth to reinstate its SAT requirement after the test-optional era. Drawing on faculty-led analysis, the episode examines how standardized test scores predict early college success and why requiring them may better serve disadvantaged applicants.

Why Tariffs Could Backfire on the U.S. Economy

In episode 11 of The Big Green Economics Podcast, Dartmouth economist and trade expert Professor Douglas Irwin discusses the 2025 wave of U.S. tariffs and their wide-ranging economic consequences. Professor Irwin explains the political motivations behind tariffs and how they may ultimately harm consumers, businesses, and the broader economy.

Why Are Young People Less Happy Than Ever?

In episode 10 of the Big Green Economics Podcast, Dartmouth economist David Blanchflower shares his research on the dramatic decline in youth well-being, which began in 2011 and may be closely tied to the rise of social media. In this episode, Blanchflower explains how his research, once defined by the U-shaped happiness curve, now reveals a collapse in well-being among 18-to-25-year-olds. He explores how happiness is measured, what the data reveals, and what can be done to address this mental health crisis.

Does your parents' Social Security make you wealthier?

In episode 9 of the Big Green Economics Podcast, we take a deep dive with Dr. Daniel Fetter into the effects of Social Security in the United States. He discusses the impacts of Social Security benefits on the children of its recipients and how conventional wisdom may be wrong regarding government assistance and its major ramifications.

International Economics: One of Dartmouth's most popular classes goes abroad

What happens when two foreign countries become an economics classroom? Each fall, a handful of students take Econ 70 at Dartmouth, a class that serves as any ordinary International Economics course during the 10-week term. After the term ends, the students and professors travel to Argentina and Chile, exploring the countries they studied during the term. This special episode of the Big Green Economics puts a spotlight on Econ 70, with both students and faculty sharing their experiences in South America. A transcript is available here. [https://economics.dartmouth.edu/sites/department_economics.prod/files/department_economics/wysiwyg/econ70podcasttranscript.pdf]