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Things That Made the Modern Economy

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Inventions, ideas and innovations that have helped to create the modern economic world

Tim Harford introduces inventions, ideas and innovations that have helped to create the modern economic world

50 Things That Made the Modern Economy: Series 1

Things That Made the Modern Economy: Series 1: Insurance

Insurance

06/04/2017

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Things That Made the Modern Economy, Series 1, Insurance

Insurance is as old as gambling, but it's fundamental to the way the modern economy works.

Tim Harford introduces inventions, ideas and innovations that have helped to create the modern economic world. Insurance is fundamental to the way the modern economy works.

Legally and culturally, there's a clear distinction between gambling and insurance. Economically, the difference is not so easy to see. Both the gambler and the insurer agree that money will change hands depending on what transpires in some unknowable future. Today the biggest insurance market of all - financial derivatives - blurs the line between insuring and gambling more than ever. Tim Harford tells the story of insurance; an idea as old as gambling but one which is fundamental to the way the modern economy works.

Producer: Ben Crighton
Editors: Richard Knight and Richard Vadon.

Things That Made the Modern Economy: Series 1

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Inventions, ideas and innovations that have helped to create the modern economic world.

Tim Harford introduces inventions, ideas and innovations that have helped to create the modern economic world.

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Things That Made the Modern Economy

Series 1

Insurance

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