In this episode, economist, political scientist, and author James A. Robinson shares his insights on a varied range of topics including the influence of culture, the vicious cycle of extractive institutions, and establishing trust in the government. He also highlights the need for understanding context when it comes to the use of economic models as basis forming policies.  Professor Robinson also gives his thoughts on where he would choose to live 50 years from now.  0:00 Introduction 1:29...

In this episode, economist Professor Steve Keen shares his thoughts on an array of topics including the shortcomings of neoclassical economics, financial instability, debt and deregulation. He also discusses the intersection of politics and economics through the lens of his candidacy for the senate in the most recent Australian election.  He highlights the importance of government policies to tackle issues such as global private debt and the looming climate crisis. Professor Steve Keen also...

In this episode, economist Professor John Van Reenen shares his insights on an interesting array of topics including the future of ideas, how to influence sustainable long-term growth, and the balance of innovation and intervention.  He highlights the importance of government policies to create the scientists of the future to tackle problems such as “The Lost Marie-Curie” effect and diminishing marginal returns to productivity.  Professor Van Reenen also gives his take on time travel and...

 In this episode, development and political economist Professor David Yanagizawa-Drott shares his views on a number of areas including the importance of social norms, the impact of protests, and how to navigate media regulation alongside free speech. He emphasises the applicability of behavioural trends to various topics, such as female labour market participation and the Rwandan genocide. Professor Yanagizawa-Drott also gives his advice to young economists and students interested in...

What is the role of big cities in the post-pandemic world? Could there be another “White Flight” after the civil unrest and COVID-19 in the US? In our last episode of the Drayton Discourse for this summer, the Economist’s Society is proud to host Prof Leah Boustan, an economist at Princeton University. In this episode, we discuss the use of technology to aid research in economic history, how more women can participate in Economics today, and to what extent has COVID-19 impacted patterns of...

Could the platform/gig economy become sustainable? To what extent can the education system help people lower their consumption levels? In our 3rd episode of The Drayton Discourse, we are proud to host Prof Juliet Schor, a sociologist at Boston University. Hear her talk on her career shift from economics to sociology, the challenges of the platform economy, and the trends in growth and consumption today. 

Should COVID-19 vaccine patents be waived? What is the role of GDP today? We are proud to have Mr Tim Harford, the Undercover Economist himself, on our second episode of the Drayton Discourse. Hear him talk about his fantastic career (including stints in Shell, the World Bank and the Financial Times), his latest book "How to Make the World Add Up", and which historical figure he would love to host on his podcast. 

Is technology contributing to making the world safer? What is the role of academia and politics today? Hear Professor Yanis Varoufakis talk about his views on the recent decisions by the G7, the EU and more today!

Ever heard of the saying “Basic goods are basic rights”? Keen on learning the future of international trade? In this episode, deepen your understanding of multilateral trade agreements and discover a new way to measure human progress by listening to...

Pondering about the financial implications of Covid-19? Intrigued by new economic tools argued in the news? Let your questions be answered by the American macroeconomist, former Board member of the Fed and Harvard academic, Professor Jeremy Stein!In...

Is foreign aid truly benefiting developing countries? Or is it violating the freedoms of the vulnerable? In this episode, listen in to our discussion with world-renowned development economist and author of The White Man’s Burden, Professor William...

Curious about the future of globalisation? Wondering what’s in store for the European Union? Listen to our second episode featuring none other than the Chief Economics Commentator of the Financial Times, Martin Wolf! He discusses everything from the...

Ever wondered how governments ‘nudge’ our behaviour or what the universe of Star Wars could teach us about our world? In our first episode, renowned American legal scholar, former advisor to the White House and co-author of Nudge, Professor Cass...