Masters of Money

The revolutionary ideas of John Maynard Keynes fundamentally changed the way that governments dealt with the economy. And his proposals are still being used today. When a financial crisis hits should the state throw money at the problem or reduce spending? Economics expert Stephanie Flanders investigates his legacy and argues that Keynes has never been more relevant or controversial than now.

The global financial crisis was thought to be down to lax regulation. But could it have been caused by over-regulation and governmental meddling? Friedrich Hayek was a radical free-market economist whose reputation has continued to grow. Economics expert Stephanie Flanders looks at how Hayek’s wild ideas about setting the market completely free are still too controversial to be employed.

Karl Marx's ideas left an indelible stamp on the lives of billions of people. He argued that capitalism is inherently unfair and therefore doomed to collapse, so it should be destroyed altogether. Today as the gap between rich and poor continues to grow, his ideas are once again being taken seriously. Economics expert Stephanie Flanders asks what answers Marx provides to the mess we are in today.