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Unintended Consequences

Unintended Consequences

By: Cato Institute
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Summary
 Unintended Consequences is the podcast of Regulation magazine, produced by the Cato Institute. Hosted by Peter Van Doren and Paul Matzko, the show explores how government interventions can have surprising—and often negative—consequences. Drawing from Regulation's in-depth policy analysis and cover stories, each episode unpacks the gap between policymakers’ intentions and the real-world outcomes that follow.

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Cato Institute Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Surprising Story Behind America’s Falling Carbon Emissions

    The Surprising Story Behind America’s Falling Carbon Emissions
    Oct 29 2026

    U.S. carbon emissions have fallen dramatically since their peak in the late 2000s. What explains the decline? In this episode of Unintended Consequences from the Cato Institute, Paul and Peter explore how America’s fracking boom, the shift from coal to natural gas, and expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets helped reduce emissions.


    Drawing on Lipford and Yandle’s recent article in Regulation magazine, “Can ‘Golden Straitjackets’ Deliver Good Environmental News,” they examine the environmental and geopolitical benefits of America’s energy transformation, the costs of Germany’s retreat from nuclear power, and how falling solar energy costs are making solar power more accessible.

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    24 mins
  • Abundance, Yes, But in What?

    Abundance, Yes, But in What?
    Oct 5 2026
    Abundance is a tempting goal as Americans face shortages of housing and rising energy prices. But there are government regulations and interest groups that fight efforts to build more housing and energy infrastructure. In this episode, Paul and Peter discuss Jonathan Adler's review for Regulation of Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s best-selling book Abundance, the need for further regulatory reform, and whether the movement would benefit from a fuller embrace of public choice economics.

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    32 mins
  • Rent Control: Mayor Mamdani Backs an Old, Bad Idea

    Rent Control: Mayor Mamdani Backs an Old, Bad Idea
    Aug 20 2026
    Rent control is a tempting solution to a very real problem, the lack of quality, affordable housing in tightly regulated municipalities. But controlling prices leads to significant, negative outcomes that not only discourage the building of additional homes but also harm the very class of renters who the policy attempts to help. But in this episode, Paul and Peter discuss the jurisprudence on rent control as covered in a recent Regulation Magazine article, “Rent Control and the Constitution” by Paul Godek, who argues that rent control is an unjust taking similar to abuses of the eminent domain process.

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    29 mins
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