Rethink

Sunder Katwala leads British Future, focusing on immigration and identity. Alan Manning, an LSE professor, offers economic insights, while Madeleine Sumption analyzes migration trends from Oxford. Robert Colvile discusses policy implications. The group delves into public sentiment, revealing divides over immigration that mask agreement on specific groups, like Ukrainian refugees. They tackle the polarization fueled by media and politicians, advocating for honest discourse to bridge gaps in understanding and improve policy for a diverse UK.

Rethink considers how we might take a different approach to the issues of our time, asking some of the brightest minds what we could do to make the world a better place. This week: billionaires. They are some of the wealthiest people who have ever lived - a tiny group with a large influence on politics, society and the lives of millions. The gap between the super rich and everyone else is huge. According to Credit Suisse, just fourteen billionaires own fourteen percent of the world’s entire wealth. Should we cap the wealth of the super rich? Philosopher Ingrid Robeyns has developed the concept of "limitarianism". This would limit an individual's wealth to 10 million dollars, pounds or euros - or whatever the local currency is - with anything beyond that point confiscated by governments. So is this theft? Socialism gone mad? A good idea? Or something that governments must do? Presenter: Ben Ansell Producer: Lucy Burns Editor: Clare FordhamContributors: Ingrid Robeyns, professor of Ethics of Institutions at Utrecht University and author of "Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth"Liam Byrne, Labour MP and author of the book "The Inequality of Wealth" Sam Dumitriu, author and head of policy at campaign group Britain Remade Helen Miller, Deputy Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and head of their tax sector

Glen Weyl, a Microsoft Research co-creator of Quadratic Voting, shares his vision for revolutionizing electoral systems. Rosie Campbell, a Politics professor at King's College, expresses skepticism about the viability of this approach. Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government, discusses its potential impact in Parliament. Rob Ford, a Political Science professor, investigates the intricate relationship between citizenship and voting rights in the UK. Together, they unravel the complexities of modern voting systems and explore how to better represent diverse political opinions.

Cory Doctorow, a Visiting Professor of Computer Science and co-founder of the UK Open Rights group, dives into the concept of 'enshitification'—the decline of the internet due to profit-driven motives. The conversation highlights how platforms like Facebook and Amazon shift focus from user experience to advertisers, complicating our online interactions. Doctorow explores the nostalgic longing for a more engaging internet and discusses the need for regulatory action and community-driven alternatives to combat monopolistic control, emphasizing the importance of a rights-based digital society.

What type of leadership does the world need to tackle global warming? Amol Rajan discusses whether people with power are doing enough to solve the climate crisis. Are politicians just too focused on the ballot box to take long term decisions? What about the role of celebrities and business leaders? Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol alongside guests Lord Deben, Greg Jackson, Monika Langthaler and Professor Daniel Schrag.Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain Sound design Graham Puddifoot Editor Lizzi Watson Production coordinators Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed

Will technology and innovation slow down or even reverse climate change? Amol Rajan looks at some of the existing innovations that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also at some of those still being developed. He asks whether we're relying too much on the promise of technology that either isn’t ready yet or can’t work at scale. Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol alongside guests the former President of Kiribati Anote Tong, James Arbib, Aoife O’Leary and Dr Jan Rosenow.Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain Sound design Graham Puddifoot Editor Lizzi Watson Production coordinators Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross and Sophie Hill

Amol Rajan explores what switching to a green economy may mean for the way we live and work and whether it's compatible with financial growth. If, for the sake of the planet we need to cut production, consumption and perhaps profit, then how will we pay for the essential services we need in the future? There are some difficult choices to make that sound particularly tough amid a cost-of-living crisis. However, despite all the difficulties, there are those who foresee a cleaner, fairer and more enriching world. Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol Rajan alongside guests Professor Tim Jackson, Bernice Lee, Najma Mohamed and Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain Sound design Graham Puddifoot Editor Lizzi Watson Production co-ordinators Siobhan Reed, Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross

What personal lifestyle habits are we prepared to give up to stop global warming and who bears responsibility for changing our behaviour? Is it the state or the individual? Amol Rajan discusses why we continue to live the way we do, despite knowing the planet is heating up. Is it ignorance or denial? Perhaps the problems is with the way we talk about climate change. If so, then how does the discourse need to change?Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol Rajan alongside guests Tom Bailey, Meghan Kennedy-Woodard and George Marshall.Producers Nick Holland and Marianna Brain Sound design Graham Puddifoot Editor Lizzi Watson Production Coordinators Siobhan Reed, Sophie Hill, Helena Warwick-Cross

In the first programme in this series Amol Rajan and guests examine the pledges that have been made on climate change and how far we have gone towards meeting them. What has worked to reduce greenhouse gasses and what’s not working, including the role of COP. Is the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees the right one?Graihagh Jackson, presenter of the BBC podcast ‘The Climate Question’ is with Amol, alongside guests Professor Saleemul Huq, Mikaela Loach, Emeritus Professor Bill McGuire and Sarah BellProducers Nick Holland & Marianna Brain Sound design Graham Puddifoot Editor Lizzi Watson Production Coordinators Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross and Sophie Hill

Amol Rajan and his guests look for some answers on how to tackle the challenges thrown up by demographic change. From the pressure put on governments by burgeoning populations of young people, to the tactics best adopted by those of us planning to live to a hundred.GUESTSCamilla Cavendish, former Director of Policy for Prime Minister David Cameron, Financial Times columnist and author of 'Extra Time: 10 Lessons for an Ageing World'Professor Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics at London Business School and author of 'The 100-Year Life - Living and Working in an Age of Longevity'Dr Eliza Filby writer and historianProfessor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford and author of 'Is the Planet Full?'Presenter: Amol Rajan Producer: Lucinda Borrell Editor: Kirsty Reid