Rian Chad Whitton is a research analyst specialising in automation, industrial policy, and energy markets at Bismarck Analysis who writes on Substack under the name Doctor Syn and won the TXP Progress Prize for his essay on British energy policy.
Rian discusses:
How British industry declined from being the first Promethean nation to losing competitiveness due to loss of empire, high wages, and poor policy decisions like industrial deglomeration
Why manufacturing remains crucial for national security, productivity growth, and regional equality despite the push toward services
How Britain could revitalise industry through lower electricity costs, nuclear power expansion, and promoting large industrial conglomerates similar to South Korean chaebols
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Read the transcript.
Timestamps
(00:00:00) - Introduction
(00:01:44) - British Industry History
(00:06:50) - Current Industry Status
(00:12:47) - R&D and Innovation
(00:19:35) - Service Economy Debate
(00:25:18) - Military and Manufacturing
(00:32:23) - Industrial Policy Models
(00:45:30) - Automation and Jobs
(00:55:33) - Education and Skills
(00:59:23) - Conclusion
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