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.

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.

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:

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.