Can the great thinkers who shaped the economic landscape of the 20th century (and in the process its social and political contours) offer a clear path forward for the 21st? BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders wants to find out. In this three-part series, she introduces some of the pioneers of “the dismal science,” describing the events and milieus that shaped their ideas, the controversies surrounding many of their writings, and their complex economic prescriptions—some of which might shed light on today’s financial and monetary quandaries. Providing a foundation for modern economics history studies, the series also offers some interesting surprises along the way—such as Marx’s reluctant admiration of capitalism, parallels between Keynes’ view of German war reparations and worries about Greek debt repayment in 2012, and why strict adherence to Hayek’s logic led to an American being labeled a domestic terrorist. Produced by the Open University. 3-part series, 45–53 minutes each.