Economics of the Papal Elections

In this episode, we look at how economists think about the election of a new Pope. With the recent selection of Pope Leo XIV, Matt and Jadrian break down how the conclave’s voting rules, like the two-thirds supermajority, can shape outcomes. They connect it to economic ideas about group decision-making, from majority rules to the challenges of reaching consensus. It’s a timely example of how even religious elections follow patterns that economists love to analyze.

In this episode, we discuss:

* How economists analyze voting rules

* The concept of majority vs. supermajority deci...