The Drayton Discourse The Economist's Society

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 Career
8:13 Interplay of culture and institutions
22:41 Political Economy
38:22 Building and Developing an Effective State
48:51 Thought Experiment

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 gives his policy recommendations to global leaders and his advice to students reading economics.

0:00  Introduction
1:10 Debunking Economics
10:48 Financial Instability, Debt and Deregulation
18:43 Intersection of Politics and Economics
27:12 Thought Experiment

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 what innovation looks like 50 years down the road. 

0:00 Introduction
3:12 Ideas and Innovation
12:01 Fall of Labour Share
20:56 Thought Experiment

 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 research, as well as giving us an insight on who he would like to meet from the past.

00:00 Introduction
05:05 Social norms and pluralistic ignorance
13:52 Media and protests
40:35 National celebrations
45:03 Thought experiment and advice

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 migration and urbanisation. Prof Boustan also shares her insights on racial issues plaguing society today, and which pattern of events in history she was most impressed by.

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.