Lockdown showed that the government can massively intervene in the economy, and it will continue to have to provide large-scale fiscal support for months or even years to come. Does this mark a decisive turning point in the role of the state in the economy? And if so, what will government intervention of the future look like? And what are the implications of this for the economy and society. Our panel includes Suresh Naidu (Colombia University), (Nick Pearce (Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath) and Kim Scharf (University of Birmingham).

In our ninth Festival of Economics, co-programmed by Diane Coyle and Richard Davies, economists and experts from around the world debate with each other – and their audiences – some of the key economic questions of our time.

It’s important to us that ideas and debate are affordable to everyone. It’s also important that our commentators, artists, writers, poets and thinkers are paid. This is a Pay What You Can event. You are invited to choose your own contribution to the event, from £0 to £8. All proceeds go towards supporting our speakers and sustaining Festival of Ideas. The option to attend for free is available for all online events.

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Festival of Economics: Is Big Government Back?