Milton Friedman famously argued that economic freedoms yield political freedoms. But countries like China and Russia may prove otherwise. Meanwhile, support for free markets in the West has declined. How did we get here, and what is the future of free markets?

A panel discussion with: 

• Professor Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge
• Jonathan Dimson, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
• Professor Karthik Ramanna, Professor of Business and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
• Sreeram Visvanathan, Managing Partner, IBM Global Business Services
• Li Xin, Managing Director, Caixin Media

In an increasingly unstable global political climate, governments around the world face greater challenges than ever. This year, the Challenges of Government Conference looks at the 'Future of Government', analysing how technological changes, new kinds of politics and different approaches to addressing inequality can be harnessed for the public good. 

The Challenges of Government Conference is the Blavatnik School's annual flagship event, which brings together the brightest minds in government, the private sector and academia to discuss policies, strategies and solutions to the world’s public policy challenges.

With thanks to our knowledge partner: McKinsey Center for Government.