Capitalism and free markets have lifted billions out of poverty across the globe. But it is also blamed for widening the gap between rich and poor - with increasing numbers of people feeling left behind.

Joanna Bale talks to Lea Ypi, David Hope, Julian Limberg and Tomila Lankina about defining freedom, debunking trickle-down economics and defying the Bolsheviks.

Research links:

Free by Lea Ypi: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320869/free-by-ypi-lea/9780141995106

The economic consequences of major tax cuts for the rich by David Hope and Julian Limberg: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/107919

The Estate Origins of Democracy in Russia. From Imperial Bourgeoisie to Post-Communist Middle Class by Tomila Lankina: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/estate-origins-of-democracy-in-russia/3EBD479CE270DB1647CD5E6A57F1C121

LSE iQ is a university podcast by the London School of Economics and Political Science.