Is foreign aid truly benefiting developing countries? Or is it violating the freedoms of the vulnerable? In this episode, listen in to our discussion with world-renowned development economist and author of 'The White Man’s Burden', Professor William (Bill) Easterly as he talks about the rights of the poor, the politicization of development, tackling racism in economics and a lot more! Profound and reflective, our personal section features Professor Easterly discussing the importance of humility and reciprocity in economists. Further, he also shares his experiences working at the World Bank! Our thought experiment takes us back to the founding of the Bank and unearths foundational mistakes that have led to some of its shortcomings.
The Drayton Discourse is an exciting podcast series brought to you by the Academic Events team of The Economist’s Society, here at University College London! Our episodes allow you to listen in to stimulating discussions with world-renowned economists. From ground-breaking ideas to revolutionary research, our guests share their thoughts, opinions and, most interestingly, personal stories which put together, teach us a good deal of economics and a great deal of life.
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EPISODE 1: YANIS VAROUFAKIS

What is the twin-peaks paradox of capitalism? Do we live in an era of techno-feudalism, where "digital market-owners" like Amazon and Facebook operate like feudal lords? In the first 2021 episode of the Drayton Discourse, Greek Economist, Professor Yanis Varoufakis discusses his difficult transition from academic life into the political sphere, highlighting his numerous battles against the neoliberal establishment, and shares his views on the hottest topics of the day. He compares the coronavirus recession with the EU's economic response to the financial crisis, while also examining the G7's decision to instate a global minimum tax rate. After having investigated the role of government and privacy in his ideal future, we delve into the magical world of the 1920s and its numerous, economic, political, and cultural developments which would make it such a fascinating era to visit.