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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: Welfare State

Welfare State

18/10/2017

Series 1

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

Do welfare states boost economic growth, or stunt it? It's not an easy question to answer.

Do welfare states boost economic growth, or stunt it? It is not an easy question to answer. The evidence suggests it is a wash - the positive and negative effects balance out.

The same basic idea links every welfare state: that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring people don't starve on the street should lie not with family, or charity, or private insurers, but with government. This idea is not without its enemies. It is possible, after all, to mother too much. Every parent instinctively knows that there's a balance: protect, but don't mollycoddle; nurture resilience, not dependence. And if overprotective parenting stunts personal growth, might too-generous welfare states stunt economic growth? 

Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Ben Crighton.

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

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Welfare State

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