The Locust and the Bee

Geoff Mulgan argues that the economic crisis presents a historic opportunity to choose a radically different future for capitalism, one that maximises its creative power and minimises its destructive force.

Capitalism has always comprised both predators and creators (locusts and bees) and if the recent financial crisis taught us anything, it is that crises occur when capitalism’s predators become too powerful – extracting value rather than creating it.

Pioneer in social innovation Geoff Mulgan argues that we now have a historic opportunity to choose a powerful new future, one in which capital and entrepreneurship are harnessed to reward the creators, makers and providers; to support innovation and creativity; and to promote better lives and relationships rather than superficial growth and mindless material consumption - to restrain the locusts and empower the bees.

Speaker: Geoff Mulgan, chief executive, Nesta

Chair: Matthew Taylor, chief executive, RSA.