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January 2020

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Welcome to the IEA Weekend Newsletter!


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* To Beeb or Not to Beeb?
* Swede sorrow
* Capital offence
* Déjà brew
* Calling all teachers!
* Budget challenge
* You’re invited!

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** To Beeb or Not to Beeb?
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The future of the BBC has inevitably come under the spotlight after this week’s announcement that its Director General Tony Hall will be standing down.

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The news prompted a number of Conservative MPs to call for an overhaul of the corporation’s funding model and an end to the licence fee.

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The IEA’s recent report New Vision: Liberating the BBC from the Licence Fee ([link removed]) suggests the corporation should be financed by subscription - and owned by its subscribers.

The paper, by IEA Senior Academic Fellow Philip Booth, also argues that current broadcasting policy is anachronistic - and questions the need for government involvement in public service broadcasting. Read it here ([link removed]) .

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Back in 2016, the IEA questioned the justification for the licence fee in our book, In Focus – the case for privatising the BBC ([link removed]) .

This collection of essays looked at the impact of technology in the sector, and how it undermined the case for government support of public service broadcasting. It also looked at media BBC bias in the BBC and in the media in general. Read it here ([link removed]) .

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Former BBC veteran John Humphrys will be our special guest for a forthcoming IEA Book Club event.

John – who hosted Radio 4’s Today programme from 1987 until last year – will join us to discuss his fascinating memoir, A Day Like Today, in which he looks back at his remarkable career, reflects on the politicians he interrogated and weighs in on the role of the BBC.

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The event will take place from 6pm to 8pm on Monday March 9 here at the IEA and places are sure to be in much demand. If you would like to attend please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

You can also find out all about the IEA Book Club ([link removed]) – which brings you year-round invites to exclusive events with top authors here.


** Swede sorrow
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Major cities around the globe are planning the introduction of rent controls – with the Mayor of London being one of its proponents.

But evidence from Sweden suggests rent controls don't work.

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'Rent controls: How they damage the housing market, the economy, and society ([link removed]) ' is a new report from Swedish think tank Timbro, a member of EPICENTER - our network of European free market think tanks.

It highlights nine issues – from increased social segregation to 11-year waiting lists for flats in Stockholm – that suggest other cities should be cautious about adopting similar measures.

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IEA Media Manager Emily Carver detailed why the plans would be disastrous for London in Free Market Conservatives ([link removed]) ,
whilst EPICENTER Director Adam Bartha argued in CapX ([link removed]) that rent controls hold renters to ransom.

And, Head of Communications Emma Revell wrote for City AM ([link removed]) on the topic.

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Madrid at the Epicenter

Meanwhile, all nine members of EPICENTER gathered in Madrid last week to coordinate their plans to encourage liberalising reforms across Europe.

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With discussions about climate, growing protectionism and authoritarianism in Europe, there’s more need than ever to make the case for classical liberal solutions on our continent.

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Our sister organisations will continue their efforts across Europe to help people lead freer and more prosperous lives. FollowEPICENTER’s channels ([link removed]) to learn more about their upcoming events and publications.


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Capital offence
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At most universities – and above all in their humanities faculties – capitalism is a dirty word. It has very few supporters and many vehement critics.

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Many of them fail to understand the nature of free-market capitalism as an economic order that emerges and grows spontaneously. Unlike socialism, it isn’t a school of thought imposed on reality, but largely evolves, growing from the bottom up rather than decreed from above.

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On our blog this week, Dr Rainer Zitelmann asks why are so many intellectuals offended by the idea of free-market capitalism?

Read his full piece here ([link removed]) .


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Déjà brew
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This month marks the centenary of one of the most radical public health initiatives ever undertaken in a democratic society – prohibition.

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While there are few voices in Britain calling for a return to criminalising alcohol, prohibition still exists today in different guises, including quasi-bans on sugary drinks, cigarettes and gambling.

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So, should we be concerned about where this type of paternalistic intervention is leading us? And what – if anything - can we do about it?

This week on the IEA podcast ([link removed]) , Emily Carver, the IEA’s Media Manager is joined by Christopher Snowdon to discuss the legacy of prohibition.

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Christopher is Head of Lifestyle Economics at the IEA, and author of a range of books and publications including The Art of Suppression ([link removed]) , The Crack Cocaine of Gambling ([link removed]) and Kill Joys: A Critique of Paternalism ([link removed]) .

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) , Spotify ([link removed]) and Podbean ([link removed]) .

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** Calling all teachers!
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How best to measure an economy’s success?

The IEA is to host two upcoming events for teachers ([link removed]) , examining the ways we can measure economic success - including GDP, growth, productivity and inequality.

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Aimed at teachers of economics and related topics at A-Level/IB/Scottish Higher, the events will include talks from IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop and our Head of Education Dr Stephen Davies.

There are two dates and locations available:

12th February, 09:45 - 14:30 (London)

Register here ([link removed]) .

10th March, 09:45 - 14:30 (University of Buckingham)

Register here ([link removed]) .

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If you’d like to reserve a place, follow the links above or email Ralph Buckle at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Please also include the name of the school you teach at.

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** Interested in interning?
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With the New Year just over a fortnight old, what better way to start the new decade than by joining us here at the IEA on one of our acclaimed internship programmes ([link removed]) !

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We have a wide range of programmes - from week-long internships for Sixth Formers to longer-term general internships.

All of our internships will introduce you to free market ideas and expand your knowledge of free markets and free society.

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But don’t take our word for it. Here’s just one of the many testimonials we’ve received from former interns:

“Joining the internship scheme ([link removed]) at the IEA was a truly rewarding experience and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in economics and freedom.

"I learned valuable skills in logistics, events planning and team management, whilst being academically stimulated through discussions, seminars and lectures with other interns and staff.”

Click here ([link removed]) to learn how to apply for an internship in the new year, and be sure to pass on the details to anyone you know who might be interested!

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** Budget challenge
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Less than a week to get your entry in...

With the Chancellor set to deliver his Budget in March, the IEA is running the IEA Budget Challenge ([link removed]) .The competition is open to all sixth form Students at schools in the UK.

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It’s your chance to enter a team for a national competition that will help students learn more about economics, develop their writing, research and analytical skills, and give them a better understanding of the policy issues and challenges facing national decision makers.

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There is also a £1,000 prize to be split between the winning team and their school.

All entries to the competition should be submitted by Saturday 1st February 2020.
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You can find more information here ([link removed]) .


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** You're invited!
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In Conversation with Ted Malloch

On 26th February, 6-8pm, the IEA Book Club ([link removed]) will be hosting Ted Malloch, co-author of “Trumps World: GEO DEUS” to speak to us about his latest book. The discussion will be chaired by the IEA’s Director General Mark Littlewood.

The book takes you inside Trump’s presidency – examining his populist outlook and his approach to such matters as foreign affairs. It seeks to identify his primary motivations, and how they influence his political thinking his economic model, and more.

If you would like to know more about the IEA Book Club, and attend the event, please email [email protected]


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