Market Foundations focuses on the foundations of how markets work. Market activity is the means by which society benefits from the comparative advantages held by the individuals within it. Society benefits when markets are efficient and when they deliver desired public policy outcomes.
We have published a prospectus (PDF 660KB/6 pages) which discusses these issues in more detail. We value input and discussion at any level and appreciate input.
Such markets will have as their foundations: participants (whether as principals, agents or advisers) that can trust and be trusted; accepted, predictable and transparent standards of behaviour; and effective and efficient mechanisms to intervene in the markets where needed to correct the behaviour.
Those foundations have often built up in markets in an ad-hoc fashion: can they be improved to enhance market effectiveness and efficiency further?
Current areas of activity include:
Further information
If you would like to comment on the topics covered by this programme, contribute to the ongoing work it refers to, or follow progress and receive copies of subsequent reports, please send your comments to marketfoundations@icaew.com.