Videos

Introducing the RSA Citizens' Economic Council

Economics is about human relationships, values and judgements – which can and should involve everyone. But many of us don’t feel able to have a view on the economy, or how it works for us. Introducing the Citizens' Economic Council - a programme from the RSA aimed at sparking a broader public discussion about the goals and priorities of economic policy. In this video we chat with Andy Haldane from the Bank of England, Geoff Tily, TUC, Rain Newton-Smith, CBI, Paul Johnson, Institute of Fiscal Studies, Reema Patel and Matthew Taylor from the RSA about taking economics to everyone.

Ha-Joon Chang argues that 'economics is for everyone'

Chang explains why every single person can and SHOULD get their head around basic economics. He pulls back the curtain on the often mystifying language of derivatives and quantitative easing, and explains how easily economic myths and assumptions become gospel. Arm yourself with some facts, and get involved in discussions about the fundamentals that underpin our day-to-day lives.

Can citizens be economists?

The RSA launched the Citizens’ Economic Council the week after the UK voted to leave the European Union, with the timely question: can citizens really be economists, and what might the extent of their role and influence in shaping national economic policy be? A panel of experts discuss the value of citizen voice that is informed, deliberative and forward thinking.

Economics for Everyone with Katie Ghose.

The vote to leave the EU exposed the poor quality of public debate about complex issues in the UK, and demonstrated the need for a rethink of the way we engage citizens in economics. Katie Ghose explores how we can improve the quality of public discussion about the economy – and, in doing so, change economics itself for the better.

Democracy is more than a vote!

We call for a different way of thinking about both democracy and society. Healthy democracies are able to promote responsiveness and accountability between institutions, experts and citizens; whilst those that fail to do lack precisely those qualities. We need to look beyond the ballot box – understanding elections and electoral democracy one part of a wider, more complex system of democracy.

RSA Insights: The Citizens' Story

Follow three citizens on their journey debating about and questioning economists, Bank of England officials and business on some of the most important social and economic issues in their lives – from how money is created right through to how the food and health economies work. For many, the journey was transformative, challenging and uplifting; forcing them to rethink what it means to be a citizen in our modern society and economy.