Saturday 16 May, 10.05am until 11.30am, The Great Hall
How we interpret the recession, and whom if anyone we blame for it, are key political and social as well as economic questions. So can we demystify the causes of the current global economic crisis? Some say the free market has had its comeuppance, and the crisis is a timely reminder of the need for a ‘sustainable’ economy. Some argue consumerism is the problem, though fiscal stimulus packages seem fixated on encouraging us to consume more. Some argue the West has been consuming too much and China not enough. Some blame greedy bankers, others blame greedy consumers, while both regulators and politicians stand indicted for wilful neglect. Should all or any of these people be held to account, or are they mere scapegoats that allow us to avoid facing up to the depth of the problems? Beyond the headlines, what really explains the present global meltdown?
This session will be preceded by a welcome address by Andrew Ritchie, CBE, director, Goodenough College and Rob Killick, CEO, cScape; author, UK after the recession.
Listen to the session audio…
Other formats are available here
 | Warwick Lightfoot economist; former Special Adviser to the Chancellors Nigel Lawson, John Major and Norman Lamont; Kensington and Chelsea councilor |
 | Phil Mullan economist and business manager; author, Creative Destruction: How to start an economic renaissance |
 | Richard Portes professor of economics, London Business School; founder and President, Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). |
 | Simon Nixon chief European commentator, Wall Street Journal; author, The Credit Crunch: how safe is your money? |
| Chair: | |
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Claire Fox
director, Academy of Ideas; panellist, BBC Radio 4's Moral Maze; author, I Find That Offensive |
"The Battle of Ideas is adrenaline for the mind. A chance for intellectual fisticuffs with some of the best-known and most stimulating thinkers in the world."
Colin Blakemore, professor of neuroscience, Oxford University
