It has been said that the National Health Service is the closest thing the British people have to a religion. But we’re not alone in having a government funded health service: virtually all developed countries have one in some shape or form. So what’s the economic rationale? How and why do countries differ in how they provide health care? And why can’t we just leave it to the market? This webinar will answer these questions, and explore the wider role of government in insuring us against catastrophic risks.
Each year early career economists at IFS deliver a day of public economics talks, aimed at A-level and undergraduate students who have an interest in economics or might want to pursue a career in public policy research.
At each talk researchers address a key topic in economics that is important to public policy, such as inequality, the provision of healthcare or the effects of an ageing society. They draw on new research to demonstrate how economic theory and empirical research can help us better ask and answer the key questions, as well as providing a valuable evidence base upon which policy-makers can draw.
As part of this year’s Festival of Social Science, and for the first time, we will be live streaming and recording a selection of topics from the series.
These webinars are primarily aimed at final year undergraduates studying economics, but should be useful to anyone interested in the subject. There will be time allowed for Q&A on the topic, as well as questions on what economists actually do at an organisation like the IFS.
Follow us on Facebook to watch live.
This event is part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science.
This event is funded by
Speakers
Ben Zaranko
Ben is a Senior Research Economist and an editor of the IFS Green Budget. His work focuses on the health and social care system and UK fiscal policy.
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