The recent wave of populist upheaval across the western world has shattered previously unquestioned assumptions about the purpose of markets and the merits of free trade and globalisation. The ideological debate between capitalism and socialism is once again at the forefront of political discussion, having been dormant for a generation. Unless solutions can be found to the interrelated problems of stagnant wages and productivity growth, the unaffordability of housing, the rise of non-traditional and insecure employment structures, the export of jobs through globalisation, and the increasing autonomy of large multinational organisations, frustrated voters will continue to revolt against the status quo.

Our Morality & Markets project asked what has caused this crisis of confidence in the ability of markets to deliver prosperity for all and will seek to identify practical steps to restore faith in the capitalist system so that markets are run in the interests of society, and not vice versa.