Is the contemporary form of constitutionalism fit for purpose to address the social, political, and economic discontents around the world? What is the difference between a constitution and constitutionalism? In this episode Professor Gerry Simpson and Professor Martin Loughlin analyse the nature of constitutionalism today. Given the rise of populism in recent years, can constitutional principles be relied upon to meet the demands of the electorate? Martin Loughlin provides a fascinating insight into the changing meaning of constitutionalism from its early iteration in the 18th and 19th centuries to practices of constitutionalism in the post-1989 world.

This episode was produced by Mohid Malik.

Speakers: Gerry Simpson and Martin Loughlin

Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law

Instagram: @lselaw

The impact of tax policies is complex, but how do taxes influence perceptions of the very rich in society? How do the highest earners respond to tax policies? By analysing UK tax records and the way the wealthy and top earners in the UK respond to tax policies, Professor Gerry Simpson sits down with Dr Andy Summers in this episode of Ratio to provide a quantitative and qualitative assessment of recent tax policies. By exploring the relationship between tax and wealth inequality, Dr Summers demystifies some of the characteristics of the richest members of society. In doing so, this episode explores the possibilities and limitations of utilising tax to rectify certain inequalities.

This episode was produced by Mohid Malik.

Speakers: Gerry Simpson and Andy Summers

Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law

Instagram: @lselaw

The relationship between copyright law and works of theatre poses interesting legal and social questions. Given the derivative nature of some productions, what does it mean for one to ‘own’ a piece of theatrical work? How does copyright law interact with the peculiar ways art is produced? In this episode of the Ratio podcast, Professor Gerry Simpson sits down with Dr Luke McDonagh to analyse the relationship between legal norms that undergird copyright law and ‘theatrical conventions’ that govern how playwrights view themselves and their peers within the world of theatre. Theatrical practice is often guided by social norms that operate as an alternative to employing the law in resolving copyright disputes. What do these informal means of justice indicate about the limitations of litigation and contractual relationships in theatre and the arts more broadly?

This episode was produced by Mohid Malik.

Speakers: Gerry Simpson and Luke McDonagh

Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law

Instagram: @lselaw