“More: The 10,000 Year Rise of the World Economy” by Philip Coggan

Philip Coggan’s history of the global economy makes the case that it is human connections and interactions that have driven the innovation and invention that have taken us from the caves and into space. In this short video, M&G’s Jim Leaviss interviews Philip about his book, and they discuss the relative roles of governments and individuals in driving our economic development. With the help of a humble tube of toothpaste Philip explains just how connected the modern world is. Looking to the future, with populism on the rise, with trade wars threatening to reverse some of the benefits of globalisation, and, most recently, with Coronavirus causing borders to close, will the “connectiveness” that has driven humans to economic success continue to do so? And as we see the need to reduce carbon-driven economic growth, have we reached “peak stuff”, and what will that mean for the economy?