Analysis Folgen

Politicians are wary of forcing us to do the things they think we should such as drinking less, saving more for our pensions or using public transport. But they are also reluctant to do nothing. The theories expounded in the book Nudge, published in 2008, suggested there was a third way: a "libertarian paternalist" option whereby governments made doing the right thing easier but not obligatory. Rather than making pensions compulsory, for example, governments could make saving for one the default option whilst preserving the right to opt out.Nudge theory appealed to our better selves and to our politicians. The book's ideas were taken up by those inside government in Britain and the US.One of the book's authors, Cass Sunstein, answers questions from an audience at the Institute for Government in London and tells presenter Edward Stourton how well he thinks his theories are working in practice.Producer: Rosamund Jones.

A spat between feminist Suzanne Moore and transgender rights activists played out on social networking sites, and then hit the headlines when journalist Julie Burchill joined in too.Jo Fidgen explores the underlying ideas which cause so much tension between radical feminists and transgender campaigners, and discovers why recent changes in the law and advances in science are fuelling debate.Contributors:James Barrett, consultant psychiatrist and lead clinician at the Charing Cross National Gender Identity ClinicJulie Bindel, feminist and journalistLord Alex Carlile QC, Liberal Democrat member of the House of LordsMelissa Hines, professor of psychology at Cambridge UniversityRichard O'Brien, writer of the Rocky Horror ShowRuth Pearce, postgraduate researcher in sociology at the University of WarwickStephen Whittle OBE, professor of equalities law at Manchester Metropolitan UniversityProducer: Ruth Alexander.

As more and more people look forward to ever longer life, Analysis examines what it's like to grow old in Britain and what we can learn from other countries facing the same challenge. We've heard much about the financial issues around pensions or health care. But it also poses more fundamental questions - is Britain a good society in which to grow old?Will those precious extra years be a time of wellbeing or alienation and loneliness? And, do other parts of the world have strengths from which we could learn?Chris Bowlby talks to those who have a unique perspective on this - migrants who came to the UK in the hope of better prospects. They can compare British society with other places they know as well. Many are now weighing up what to do when their working lives are over. And a number do not expect to stay here. Their children work long hours and live a distance away. The three-generation homes that supported their own grandparents as they grew old will not be an option for them. Many worry that they face a lonely future.So is Britain a model for the future of a longer life? Or do those with a global perspective believe there are better places to spend your later years?Contributors : Professor Sarah Harper (Oxford Institute of Population Ageing), Baroness Sally Greengross (International Longevity Centre) & Dr Chris Murray (Global Burden of Disease Study).Producer : Rosamund Jones.