Episode 12 : In Debt We Trust: Why Every Nation Owes Money (and Why That’s Not Always Bad) cover art

Episode 12 : In Debt We Trust: Why Every Nation Owes Money (and Why That’s Not Always Bad)

Episode 12 : In Debt We Trust: Why Every Nation Owes Money (and Why That’s Not Always Bad)

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 In this podcast episode, we explore the compelling question: Why is every country in debt—and who do they owe? We break down the nature of national debt, which refers to the money borrowed by central governments, not including state-level or personal loans. Despite common assumptions, debt isn’t a sign of failure. Countries like the U.S., Japan, and Germany carry massive debts, yet remain economic powerhouses. We dive into the reasons governments borrow—from funding public services and investing in growth to managing crises and controlling inflation. Through smart borrowing, nations often aim to stimulate their economies rather than risk reckless money printing. We also examine who actually lends money to governments—ranging from citizens and domestic banks to foreign nations and global institutions like the IMF and World Bank. The episode unpacks the risks and rewards of national debt, emphasizing that it’s less about having debt and more about how it’s managed. We challenge the idea that countries should strive to be debt-free, showing why that’s neither practical nor necessarily beneficial. With real-world examples like Sri Lanka’s debt crisis and Japan’s soaring debt-to-GDP ratio, we offer listeners a clearer understanding of how national debt shapes global economies.

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