Signals

SIGNALS is the story of the future of the world economy, told in the language of everyday objects, places and events - from magazine covers and supermarkets to public protests.

'A tour de force' Lord Rose, former CEO and Chairman of Marks & Spencer
'Rather wonderful' FINANCIAL TIMES
'Dr Pippa Malmgren's book is essential reading' Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade
'Better than Piketty' James Galbraith, Chair of Government and Business at the University of Texas

Pippa Malmgren is the economic advisor who correctly called the result of the Brexit vote in the UK and also Trump's victory in the 2016 United States presidential election. She argues that by being alert to the signals around us, we can be empowered to deal with the varied troubles and treasures the world economy inevitably brings.

Economics is not just maths and data. SIGNALS will help you understand why the size of chocolate bars, steaks and apartments are shrinking. It explains why the government says we face deflation yet everyone feels their cost of living is rising and their standard of living is falling. Rising prices are felt not only during your weekly shop but also by the leaders of emerging markets who are obliged to reach for food and energy assets to feed their people. The increasing near misses between America's spy planes and the fighter jets of China and Russia are no coincidence.

Malmgren reveals how economic forces are breaking the social contract between citizens and their states. The fallout is evident in the rise of anti-establishment voting, the return of social unrest to emerging markets and resistance to mass immigration. If the only real solution is innovation, then the key question becomes whether or not governments are supporting efforts to build tomorrow's economy today. Malmgren shows us who is already building the future and how to be part of it.

With its wonderful range of examples, from a Vogue magazine cover to a protest by a Tibetan monk, SIGNALS demonstrates that far from being the concern of only a privileged few, economics is a hot topic that touches every life.