Legatum Institute Foundation

Jeff Schott, Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics discusses the challenges of negotiating new, open trade deals in the context of slow economic growth and risk averse industry. Interviewed by Shanker Singham, Chairman of the Special Trade Commission & Director of Economic Policy & Prosperity Studies at the Legatum Institute.

The 2016 History of Capitalism lecture series throws the spotlight on the role played by cities and regions that stand out in particular moments within the History of Capitalism. In this short interview, Dr Anne Murphy (Reader in History and Associate Dean for Research, School of Humanities, University of Hertfordshire) explains the influence of Venice in the history of international trade. She later gave a lecture on the origins and workings of The Bank of England and its intricate relationship with the unique ecosystem of the City of London. Interviewed by Alanna Putze, Senior Programme Director, Legatum Institute. More information:

How we can spread prosperity throughout society? This panel at the 2016 Labour Party Conference discussed what enables and hinders life chances in the UK. The speakers also explored how policy-makers can make decisions that promote better cohesion at a national and a local level. Panellists: included Seema Malhotra MP; Julia Unwin, Joseph Rowntree Foundation; Louise Haigh MP and Shanker Singham, Legatum Institute.

LI's Director of Economic Policy, Shanker Singham, launches a new Legatum Institute Special Trade Commission. The Commission, which has been set up in the wake of the British vote to leave the European Union, aims to present a roadmap for the many trade negotiations which the UK will need to undertake now. The STC will seek to re-focus the public discussion on Brexit to a positive conversation on opportunities, rather than challenges, while presenting empirical evidence of the dangers of not following an expansive trade negotiating path.

The Rt. Hon. Greg Hands MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, discusses the government’s role in creating a prosperous economy. He also outlines the Treasury's immediate and longer-term priorities, including plans for public spending on the NHS and infrastructure. He also shares his thoughts on why Britain should remain in the EU, and why we must continue to make the case for 'free markets'.

In conversation with the Legatum Institute's Anne Applebaum, Ilya Zaslavskiy (Senior Visiting Fellow to the Transitions Forum at the Institute) discussed the importance of fighting corruption and transitioning to the standards of the EU energy market. He also argues that Ukraine needs large-scale and quick privatisation of its hydrocarbon sector.

The 2016 History of Capitalism lecture series throws the spotlight on the role played by cities and regions that stand out in particular moments within the History of Capitalism. In this short video prior to her lecture on Hong Kong, Catherine Schenk, Professor of International Economic History at the University of Glasgow, shares her thoughts on which cities have played a key role in shaping human flourishing, and who will be the ones to watch in the future. Interviewed by Mary Schutzer-Weissmann, Project Coordinator at the Legatum Institute.

With a decade of strong growth in Africa now at its close, where has that growth most delivered progress on prosperity, and why? To mark the launch of the ‘2016 Africa Prosperity Report', Lord Malloch-Brown gave a keynote speech on Africa’s prosperity, ahead of a livestreamed panel discussion with experts.

In conversation with Hywel Williams, Julia Peyton-Jones, former Director of the Serpentine Gallery, discusses her experiences at the helm of one of the most successful public contemporary galleries in the world. She also explains how her motto “to think the unthinkable” has developed the range and reach of contemporary art and the gallery.

The Legatum Institute’s Prosperity Index programme hosted New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Hon. Bill English MP, for a discussion on New Zealand’s economy and the opportunities and challenges it faces looking forward. In this short interview with Alexandra Mousavizadeh, Director of the Prosperity Index at the Legatum Institute, Minister English explains some of the factor's behind the country's overall prosperity and shares successful policy lessons for the UK and beyond.

The 2016 History of Capitalism lecture series throws the spotlight on the role played by cities and regions that stand out in particular moments within the History of Capitalism. In this short clip, Victoria Bateman, Fellow in Economics at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge, reflects on 800 years of history to understand which cities have been instrumental to 'the history of capitalism' and human flourishing. Interviewed by Mary Schutzer-Weissmann, Project Coordinator at the Legatum Institute.

Richard Cockett, former South East Asia Editor for The Economist, gave his insights into the prospects for Burma’s new government and discussed his book, 'Blood, Dreams and Gold: The Changing Face of Burma'. Framing his analysis in Burma’s history, as well as his own experience travelling through the country, Cockett found some cause for optimism at this critical juncture in the country’s trajectory. He cautioned that the recent triumph of Aung Sang Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) should be seen as a new phase in Burma’s transition, rather than the end of a long road towards democracy.

Tim Shipman, Political Editor of The Sunday Times, moderated a panel discussion that analysed the dynamics of the 2016 US elections. Speakers included Anne Applebaum (Director of the Transitions Forum at the Legatum Institute); Tim Montgomerie (Columnist for The Times and Legatum Fellow); and Shanker Singham (Director of Economic Policy and Prosperity Studies and economic advisor to the Marco Rubio Presidential campaign). Introduction by Sian Hansen (Executive Director at the Legatum Institute).

The 2016 History of Capitalism lecture series throws the spotlight on the role played by cities and regions that stand out in particular moments within the History of Capitalism. In this short clip, Huw Bowen, Professor of Modern History at Swansea University, highlights the cities that he believes have had the biggest impact on the past, the present and the future of capitalism. Interviewed by Mary Schutzer-Weissmann, Project Coordinator at the Legatum Institute.

The Legatum Institute's Economics of Prosperity programme hosted a breakfast discussion with Peter Boettke, one of the world’s most prominent Austrian economists. In this short clip, the Legatum Institute's Shanker Singham, Boettke discusses the US elections (in particular, the rise of populist candidates such as Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump), the issue of inequality and economic distortion, which Boettke believes has come about because of the crony capitalism that has been spawned by a regulatory system that is captured by the elites, and why 'innovation' could be the 'magic bullet' for improving human capital.

In October 2015, Princeton University Professor of Economics and International Affairs, Angus Deaton, was awarded the Nobel Prize in economics for his work charting global developments in health, wellbeing and inequality. The Legatum Institute was delighted to host Professor Deaton, in conversation with Democracy Lab editor, Christian Caryl, for a discussion on what it was like to receive 'that' phone call from Stockholm. They also discuss the debate around 'wealth versus health', and the rise of 'big data'.

The 2016 History of Capitalism lecture series throws the spotlight on the role played by cities and regions that stand out in particular moments within the History of Capitalism. In this short clip, David Abulafia, Professor of Mediterranean History at Cambridge University, explains why London was key to the history of capitalism and human flourishing. Interviewed by Mary Schutzer-Weissmann, Project Coordinator at the Legatum Institute.

Alina Mungiu-Pippidi (Hertie School of Government) discusses her new book, 'The Quest for Good Governance: How Societies Develop Control of Corruption' which shows why only so few succeeded in building control of corruption. Her research ranges from medieval Italy to contemporary Uruguay to illustrate what good governance means in practice and what a sound anti-corruption strategy looks like. Interviewed by Christian Caryl, Senior Fellow at the Legatum Institute and editor of Democracy Lab.

Peter Heather (King’s College London and author of 'Empires and Barbarians: Migration, Development and the Birth of Europe') discusses the role of migrants in the early middle ages. Peter was at the Legatum Institute to take part in a special panel that looked at why migration has always been a constant feature of history, and how the motivations and mechanisms of people on the move have shaped the world as it is today. Interviewed by Hywel Williams, Senior Adviser at the Legatum Institute.

Katya Andreyev (The Russian and East European Studies Centre, University of Oxford) discusses the migration of Tsarist and revolutionary Russian refugees in the late 19th/early 21st century. Katya was at the Legatum Institute to take part in a special panel that looked at why migration has always been a constant feature of history, and how the motivations and mechanisms of people on the move have shaped the world as it is today. Interviewed by Hywel Williams, Senior Adviser at the Legatum Institute.