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Wealth in Britain focuses on four main issues. How do the wealthy become such? How important is inheritance and how can it be justified? What are the advantages of wealth to the wealthy and also to... society in general? And, finally, what are the arguments for and against taxing wealth? These questions are answered, in separate interviews, by three millionaires and by four economists in discussion. The three wealthy men are Nigel Broackes, Chairman of Trafalgar House Investments, Robert Maxwell, Chairman of Pergamon Press, both self-made millionaires, and the Marquess of Tavistock, who as the eldest son of the Duke of Bedford has inherited the Bedford Estates. The four economists are Roger Opie of New College, Oxford, Professor Cedric Sandford of Bath University, John Wood of the Institute of Economic Affairs and Professor Colin Harbury of the City University.
Wealth in Britain focuses on four main issues. How do the wealthy become such? How important is inheritance and how can it be justified? What are the advantages of wealth to the wealthy and also to... society in general? And, finally, what are the arguments for and against taxing wealth? These questions are answered, in separate interviews, by three millionaires and by four economists in discussion. The three wealthy men are Nigel Broackes, Chairman of Trafalgar House Investments, Robert Maxwell, Chairman of Pergamon Press, both self-made millionaires, and the Marquess of Tavistock, who as the eldest son of the Duke of Bedford has inherited the Bedford Estates. The four economists are Roger Opie of New College, Oxford, Professor Cedric Sandford of Bath University, John Wood of the Institute of Economic Affairs and Professor Colin Harbury of the City University.
| Module code and title: | D302, Patterns of inequality |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D302; 03 |
| First transmission date: | 23-03-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:49:10 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nigel Houghton |
| Contributors: | Nigel Broackes; C. D. Harbury; Robert Maxwell; Roger Opie; Cedric Sandford; Marquess of Tavistock; John Wood |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Class; Fiscal policy; Inequality; Wealth |
| Footage description: | Batten introduces the programme from the grounds of Knebworth, describing how wealth is often linked to ownership of property. Tavistock briefly outlines the family history and where their wealth came from. Broackes is interviewed, describing how he started in business in the 1950s, where he got financial backing from etc. In another interview Maxwell describes how he set up his publishing business and how that expanded. Broackes continues by examining the importance of support, connections and luck. Maxwell also assesses the importance of support, luck and information. Batten moves on to some research by Harbury which is using probate data to gauge the importance of inherited wealth. Harbury explains what he is doing. Back at Knebworth, Batten chairs a discussion on wealth between Harbury, Sandford, Opie and Wood. They look at the power wealth gives, the extra freedom and opportunities etc. Both Maxwell and Broackes are asked what their wealth has done for them personally and the sort of power they feel it gives them. The discussion group look at inherited wealth, how it was achieved, the benefits it confers on society etc. Tavistock and Maxwell also give their views on inherited wealth, whilst Opie looks for differences in how the wealth was acquired. The question of wealth taxation is looked at. Sandford examines how it can be justified - Harbury, Wood and Opie comment, expand and criticise this. Maxwell explains the kind of wealth tax he is in favour of. Tavistock and Broackes make final comments on wealth and the wealthy. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71935 |
| Production number: | 00525_2278 |
| Videofinder number: | 183 |
| Available to public: | no |
