Wednesday 27 September 2023

Creating a Good Jobs economy

Lecture by Professor Dani Rodrik

Advanced economies across the world have been buffeted by acute shocks crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine, at the same time as they are grappling with longer-term challenges like deindustrialisation, the rise of AI and globalisation. Labour markets across a range of countries have experienced persistent wage stagnation, the rise of insecure work, and growing calls for ‘good jobs’.

These shocks and challenges may be shared in nature but nations are developing different policy responses. Good jobs is a key pillar of Biden’s economic strategy, underpinned by the Inflation Reduction Act. But the UK lacks a good jobs strategy of its own, or indeed a wider economic strategy to tackle its twin challenges of low growth and high inequality.

What would a good jobs strategy in Britain look like? How would it stretch across trade, labour market, net zero, tax and benefit, and industrial policy? And what can we learn from current debates in the US about how to build a Good Jobs economy?

These are key questions for The Economy 2030 Inquiry, and that one of the world’s leading economists – Professor Dani Rodrik – will answer in a major lecture this autumn, hosted by the Resolution Foundation. Dani will set out his approach for a ‘good jobs’ strategy, including where it has applied successfully in the US.

The event will be open for people to physically attend, alongside being broadcast via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event via Slido. The Economy 2030 Inquiry is funded by the Nuffield Foundation.