
Hosted by LSE Film and Audio Team · EN

Contributor(s): Professor Barry Buzan, Dr Elizabeth Ingleson, Professor Vladislav Zubok | When Soviet power collapsed between 1989 and 1991, the overwhelming view in the West was that liberalism had triumphed. The world could look forward to a period of peace and prosperity, underpinned by globalisation backed by American power. Today all of that early optimism has faded, to be replaced by a deep fear that the world is once again dividing into two camps very much like the Cold War of old.

Contributor(s): Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Lysa John, Jo Swinson | In 2024, two billion people headed to the polls in some 50 countries around the world. But the drama of these elections risks obscuring just how fragile the foundations of democracy have become. A political system that is geared towards short-term wins, run by politicians that few of us trust, is failing to address complex global problems. Many of us feel disempowered, disillusioned and distrustful. Hear Danny Sriskandarajah discuss his new book Power to the People. Drawing on his extensive experience in leading civil society organisations around the globe, he sets out his radical blueprint for change. From giving democracy a participatory makeover to public ownership of social media spaces, and from re-energising co-operatives to creating a people’s chamber at the United Nations, he presents a range of inspiring ideas for how we can reclaim our power and change the world.

Contributor(s): Dr Phillip Rode, Professor Rachel Aldred, Dr Chris Tennant, Indira Ray | This episode of LSE iQ looks at whether we should still be driving, whether public transport in cities has helped alleviate the need to drive and how driverless cars are still a distance away from really helping solve the issue of the number of cars on the road. LSE iQ is a university podcast by the London School of Economics and Political Science. We’re keen to find out more about our audience so we can better tailor our content to suit your interests. With this in mind, we would be grateful if you could please take the time to fill out this short survey and share your feedback.

In 2024, two billion people headed to the polls in some 50 countries around the world. But the drama of these elections risks obscuring just how fragile the foundations of democracy have become.

Contributor(s): Ali Allawi, Professor Shiping Tang | The problem of economic development in the Global South remains as important as ever. For centuries thinkers have tried to explain why some countries grow rich while others remain poor, with varied success. Ali Allawi and Shiping Tang will debate current development strategies in the developing world. Our speakers will address key issues in development thought, including the role of neoliberalism, institutions and other major factors in generating long-term economic growth. In particular they will focus on how globalisation, the rise of China and rising inequalities have altered strategies of economic development in the 21st century.

Contributor(s): Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter | Chance, luck, and ignorance; how to put our uncertainty into numbers. We all have to live with uncertainty about what is going to happen, what has happened, and why things turned out how they did. We attribute good and bad events as "due to chance", label people as "lucky", and (sometimes) admit our ignorance. David Spiegelhalter will show how to use the theory of probability to take apart all these ideas, and demonstrate how you can put numbers on your ignorance, and then measure how good those numbers are. Along the way we will look at three types of luck, and judge whether Derren Brown was lucky or unlucky when he was filmed flipping ten heads in a row.

Contributor(s): Steven Erlanger, Dr Elizabeth Ingleson, Professor Anand Menon, Professor Leslie Vinjamuri | What will the next US president’s strategic priorities be internationally? What are the implications for Europe and the rest of the world? In this roundtable discussion, leading experts on world affairs take stock of the international challenges and opportunities facing the new administration in America.

Contributor(s): Dr Max Steuer | Join us to hear Max Steuer talk about his new book, Dangerous Guesswork In Economic Policy.The book is about the need for, and the benefits of, drawing on specialist skills in formulating economic policy. Some issues can be addressed through common sense and first-hand experience. Few matters involving use of resources in the NHS, defence policy, education, housing and a host of other issues, such as high-speed rail, are of that kind. Recognising the need is the first step. With the best will in the world, drawing on knowledge is not easy. Dangerous Guesswork provides a sophisticated overview of the working of the discipline.

Contributor(s): Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia | Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim visited LSE to deliver a lecture on Malaysia’s global strategy in an uncertain era. The event officially opened the Malaysia Auditorium at LSE and was the inaugural lecture of the Malaysia Lecture Series (an annual lecture series to be held in the Malaysia Auditorium and run by the SU Malaysia Club).

Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim visited LSE to deliver a lecture on Malaysia’s global strategy in an uncertain era