In The Balance

China's economy is still growing at a respectable rate - but how long can that last? Ed Butler reports from China on the problems caused by increasing amounts of debt. Ed hears from students taking on debt they don't understand and finds out about the extent of Shanghai's property bubble. He is joined back in the studio by a panel of experts on China to ask whether high levels of debt could sink the country's booming economy. Contributors: Linda Yueh, Adjunct Professor of Economics at London Business School and Fellow in Economics at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University; Steve Tsang, Director of SOAS China Institute; Geoffrey Yu, Head of UK Investment Office at UBS Wealth Management. (Picture: People visit a shopping mall complex in Shenyang, Liaoning province, as the authorities seek to revive the recession-hit industrial region. Credit: AFP/Getty images)

Very soon, for the first time in modern history, five generations will be working side by side. Baby boomers, traditionalists, and Generations X, Y and Z. Is it a manager's dream - or a nightmare? Manuela Saragosa and guests ask why millennials are so hard to manage - and how do you keep older workers motivated throughout a career that could last for 50 years? Contributors: Professor Andrew Scott, Deputy Dean at London Business School and co-author of The 100-Year Life Ali Hall, leadership development coach and Associate Fellow of Saïd Business School, Oxford Chip Conley, Modern Elder and former head of global hospitality and strategy at Airbnb

The development of Artificial Intelligence is being seen as one of the biggest threats to jobs this century. Yet it's a technology that can also help humanity hugely and is forecast to increase global economic growth. So should we be afraid of AI - or should we embrace a future where machines could become as intelligent as humans? In the Balance brings together some of the top thinkers in the debate to ask whether AI is our friend or our enemy. Contributors: Nick Bostrom, founding Director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University Luis Perez Breva, an expert in the process of technology innovation and entrepreneur, based at MIT Kathleen Richardson, professor of Ethics and Culture of Robots and AI at De Montfort University Kevin Warwick, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, Executive Director of Cambridge University's Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (Picture: A Google Earth map of Paris, France as the company unveils the revamped versio

What lessons should we learn from the damage hurricane Irma has inflicted on Florida and the Caribbean, the flooding hurricane Harvey wreaked on Texas and the floods that have devastated parts of South Asia? And how can politicians and aid agencies be persuaded to spend more money preparing for natural disasters, rather than clearing up after the event? Manuela Saragosa talks to one environmental planning expert in Houston, Texas, who says some parts of the city will become uninhabitable. And she hears from experts around the world on the best way to contain the economic damage of future natural disasters. Contributors: Jim Blackburn, Rice University, Houston MB Akhter, Bangladesh Country Director for Oxfam Tom Bamforth from Shelter Cluster Ilan Noy, Professor at Victoria University in Wellington, holder of the inaugural Chair in the Economics of Disasters Christina Bennett from the Overseas Development Institute (Picture: People shop in a supermarket after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on

Does passing down large amounts of money within families drive the gap between rich and poor even wider? It seems that some of the world's richest people, like Bill Gates, recognised this and have pledged to give away most, if not all, of their wealth to good causes rather than their children. Is inherited wealth a curse, both on a personal and macro-economic level? Should we tax it much more heavily, or even ban inheritance altogether? Manuela Saragosa is joined by a global panel of guests to unpick the issues on intergenerational fairness. Contributors: Barbara Blouin, founder of The Inheritance Project, Karen Rowlingson Professor of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham, Edward Wolff, Professor of Economics at New York University and Jørgen Næsje, State Secretary in Norway's Finance Ministry. (Picture: College Republicans Rally For Repeal Of Estate Tax. Washington DC June 2006. Credit: Getty Imgages)

How much pocket money, if any, should you give your children? What does it teach them about the world of finance? Some parents give their children an unconditional allowance, with no strings attached, but could this be considered a form of child abuse? Does it make them financially irresponsible adults with a sense of entitlement? And if you only give your children money in return for them washing the dishes or cleaning their room, do they ever understand the real meaning or usefulness of the work they are doing? We assess the value of pocket money as a tool for introducing young minds to the world of money, and ask whether parents should be more open with children on money matters and even give them more power to make their own choices with the help of new technology. Contributors Professor Lewis Mandell, a financial economist specialising in financial literacy Dean Brauer, c-founder of goHenry, a digital pocket money app Professor Agnes Nairn, a researcher on consumerism and marketing to c

Can Hong Kong still call itself the gateway to China, or is it in danger of being dwarfed economically by its mainland neighbour? On the twentieth anniversary of the British handover of power to Beijing, we hear about the mainland Chinese money buying up Hong Kong businesses, properties and land, and discuss the impact it's having on the territory’s economy and society. As property prices rocket and people are left struggling to afford smaller and smaller flats, what future is there for Hong Kong’s young people? Have decades of financial might made Hong Kong complacent, and where will future economic growth come from? Contributors Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group Elaine Tsung, co-founder of The Garage Society and Eaton House Andrew Shuen, from The Lion Rock Institute John Greenwood, chief economist at Invesco (Picture: A traditional junk boat sailing across Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. Credit: Getty Images)

Has the shock decision to scrap almost all of India's cash been a success or a failure? Last November's withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes caused chaos for millions of people and businesses, but now the dust has settled, is there any evidence it was effective in tackling corruption and curbing the black economy? Have those hardest hit by the demonetisation now managed to recover? What impact, if any, has the move had on India's economy? And in a society where cash is king, are there any signs people have been pushed towards using bank cards or mobile payments? Contributors Jayati Ghosh, professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, in New Delhi Economist Lord Meghnad Desai Gaurav Daga, owner of Oswal Cable Products in New Delhi Piritta Sorsa, head of economics research on India at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (Picture: A man holds old Indian notes at a protest against demonetisation in Bangalore. Credit: Kiran Manjunath, Getty Images)

Sharp falls in commodity prices have dealt serious blows to the prospects of workers, communities, and businesses in large parts of Africa over the last few years. The World Bank said economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa slumped to its lowest level for more than two decades last year and earlier this month South Africa, the continent’s third largest economy, re-entered recession. The picture is not uniformly bleak – the outlook is much more positive in East Africa – but the continent’s largest economies are suffering. Can they turn things around and end their reliance on oil and mining? What hope is there for those seeking relief from poverty, and what jobs might they do in the future? Ed Butler is joined by a panel of guests: Kola Karim, CEO of Shoreline Group, a Nigerian energy and infrastructure company; professor Mthuli Ncube, head of Quantum Global Research Lab and former chief economist of the African Development Bank; and Lorenzo Fioramonti, professor of political economy at the University

Is the world of football about to see a powershift? China wants to be a global leader in football and President Xi has a masterplan to have fifty million Chinese citizens playing football by 2020. It's the big money transfer of players that catch the eye and this summer will see more star names tempted to make the move to China. Ed Butler is joined by Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sports Enterprise at Salford Business School, Mark Dreyer, editor of China Sports Insider and Alexander Jarvis, chairman of Blackbridge Cross Borders, who specialise in the football business. Ed looks to find out why China is doing this and whether they can really succeed. (Picture: A view of the main stadium at the Evergrande International Football School in Guangdong Province, China. Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Florida was split down the middle in the US presidential election. Exactly four months into his first term, Donald Trump is now mired in controversy, over the sacking of FBI director James Comey and the investigation into Russian hacking. Politics has eclipsed the president's economic agenda in many areas. Ed Butler travels to the sunshine state of Florida to ask Trump supporters and opponents whether they think he can deliver on his promise to boost economic growth and improve living standards. Ed also asks Harvard economics professor Ken Rogoff for his assessment of whether the president can start to make good on his economic pledges. (picture: A construction worker in Miami, Florida. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

On In the Balance we ask how President Trump's policies are affecting jobs and workers. Ed Butler hears from mayors and economic specialists from across the USA, to get a snapshot of how the economy is faring under the new administration - from the coal industry to car manufacturing. The Mayor of Santa Fe in New Mexico - which is home to a large number of Latino immigrants - explains how tighter policies are spreading fear across the immigrant community. And Colm O' Regan reflects on how President Trump's election has complicated his own job - as a stand-up comedian. (Picture: US President Donald Trump shakes hands with coal miners in the White House. Credit: Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images)

As the Netherlands heads to the polls for what has been one of the most contentious elections for years, In the Balance is in the tech city of Eindhoven, home to a high concentration of international workers. Ten percent of the city's workforce comes from abroad, so will any of that change after the election with anti-immigration, anti-EU politicians like Geert Wilders predicted to do well? Manuela Saragosa visits one of the Netherlands' biggest tech companies, ASML, and hears from international workers and the local Dutch population about how Eindhoven absorbs so many foreign workers every year. (Picture: ASML campus, VELDHOVEN, the Netherlands. Credit: ASML)

Is personal ownership on its way out? Today we own more stuff than ever before, but will the future be one where we hire everything we need? Our goods could be supplied to us by big companies as a service - and taken away again or replaced almost before we know they need to be fixed. That's just one part of the idea of the circular economy - a new way for businesses to think about how they make use of the world's finite resources. To discuss the concept, presenter Manuela Saragosa is joined by Dame Ellen MacArthur, a former round-the-world sailor who now heads her own foundation promoting the circular economy. Manuela also hears from a leading Indian environmentalist, Dr Ashok Khosla, and from Kirstie McIntyre, who is the director of global sustainability operations at the technology giant HP. Plus, regular contributor and comedian Colm O' Regan celebrates The Fixers - those who mend products rather than throw them away. (Picture: Dame Ellen MacArthur. Credit: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation)

What can governments and employers do to ensure disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else in the workplace? And how can disabled people give themselves the best chance of getting into work? Join Manuela Saragosa and guests: Dr Alice Maynard, an associate of Business Disability International; Randy Lewis, a former executive at the US pharmacy giant Walgreens; and Tunusha Naidu, founder of ABLE Consulting in South Africa, a disability-focussed recruitment firm that also helps companies make their workplaces more accessible. (Picture: Man in a wheelchair working at container terminal. Credit: Thinkstock)

Have economists become the latest casualties of the so-called "populist wave"? Some of them got their forecasts badly wrong over Brexit, and widespread fears over a US economy under President Donald Trump have given way to record highs in financial markets. Plus, of course, most economists completely failed to foresee the global financial crisis. It's led some to suggest that economics has become too detached from reality, that its experts have become too politicised and that the profession has lost much of its credibility. After all, Brexit and Trump voters ignored economists' dire warnings in their tens of millions. And, at a time of such huge political and technological change, is economics still a useful way to make sense of and predict events? Ed Butler is joined by three guests with their own visions for how economics should change: Wendy Carlin, professor of economics at University College London and leader of the CORE project to reform the undergraduate economics curriculum; Andrew Chamber

Technology has shaken up working culture. Large multinationals are rethinking the ways they let their staff work. While for many people outside the structure of big companies, work is increasingly freelance and insecure. We'll hear from those who say the traditional eight-hour working day is on its way out. But what is replacing it? Join Manuela Saragosa and guests as they debate how to make work pay fairly for everyone. Manuela hears from Guy Standing, author of "The Precariat" ; Edward Conard, from the American Enterprise Institute and author of "The Upside of Inequality", and Douglas Rushkoff, author of "Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus". Picture: People walk outside the New York Stock Exchange. Credit:Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Will 2017 be the year that breaks Europe? With geo-political risk at the top of everyone's radar, we focus on one region that's going to be increasingly in the spotlight in the coming months - Europe. It's not just the high-stakes elections due shortly in France, the Netherlands and Germany, there's also the migrant crisis, the potential death of the open border Schengen agreement, and the wide-ranging challenges presented by America's new administration. Could the challenging politics undermine the economics of the European project? In the Balance weighs up the issues with a panel of guests. Ed Butler talks to Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels and a visiting professor at the University of Amsterdam; Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance at the University of Oxford, and Ruth Lea, Arbuthnot Banking Group's Economic Adviser. (Picture: The US and European Union flags fly in Berlin, November 2016.

Make America great again! It was President Trump's rallying cry on the campaign trail. And, his win and Brexit's victory at the polls tell us that nationalism is on the rise. But how does that sit with a global economy that is increasingly inter-connected? Every day a soaring amount of information and data crosses national boundaries. So where does that leave the nation state? We hear from both sides of the Atlantic. Manuela Saragosa is joined by guests Joshua Cooper Ramo, co-CEO of Kissinger Associates; Victoria Nash, deputy director of the Oxford Internet Institute; Lawrence Wintermeyer, CEO of Innovate Finance and Ryan Bourne, chair in public understanding of economics at the Cato Institute in Washington. (Photo: US President Donald Trump signs an executive order to start the Mexico border wall project, January 2017. Credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

We take a look at the growing international phenomenon of the activist investor. They hunt down companies they think are under-performing, buy a stake and then lobby for change. It can be aggressive, it can get ugly, and it is on the rise. The number of activist campaigns in the US has grown from 104 in 2000 to 487 in 2015, according to a Credit Suisse report. The targets of these investors are becoming increasingly diverse, and activism has now spread into Europe and Asia. Companies from Yahoo to Apple to Rolls Royce have all been affected. Critics say activists are bad for companies and shareholders in the long-term, and detrimental to society as a whole. But activists say they provide a valuable service, holding poorly performing boards to account, and increasing shareholder profit. The BBC's Ed Butler asks our panel of experts: Who really benefits in the long-term from activist activity? He's joined from Singapore by Dr Lawrence Loh, Director of the Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisa