We are asking a series of questions to a diverse group of economic and non-economic thinkers with the objectives of shedding light on the most salient challenges facing human civilization in our time.
Sometimes we see just the trees, and not the forest anymore. Fundamental questions may help to establish a deep understanding of ourselves and the world around us. They promote critical thinking and provide a framework for making important decisions.
With this first series of interviews, we aim to explore the role of economics and the inner workings of capitalism, and to heighten people’s awareness of both the economic system in which they live and work. We have 8 major question categories:
Why does economics matter?
What are the differences between economic science (academic economics) and economic engineering (policymaking)?
What role does economics play in society?
Does it serve the common good?
Economics provides answers to problems related to markets, efficiency, profits, consumption and economic growth. Does economics do a good job in addressing the other issues people care about: climate change and the wider environment, the role of technology in society, issues of race and class, pandemics, etc.?
As we live in an age of economics and economists – in which economic developments feature prominently in our lives and economists have major influence over a wide range of policy and people – should economists be held accountable for their advice?
Does economics explain Capitalism? How would you define Capitalism?
No human system to date has so far been able to endure indefinitely - not ancient Egypt or Rome, not Feudal China or Europe, not the USSR. What about global Capitalism: can it survive in its current form?
Is Capitalism, or whatever we should call the current system, the best one to serve the needs of humanity, or can we imagine another one?
In the second series of interviews we point our focus on the interconnection between ecology and economics, as understanding and integrating these disciplines is essential for achieving sustainable development, preserving natural resources, and ensuring the well-being of current and future generations. In our second season we are asking five questions:
Can our current economic system (our economic civilization) and the way it is designed, operated and managed, achieve ecological / environmental sustainability?
What are the most critical ecological threats now and in the future? And their social and economic consequences?
How can we integrate ecological considerations into economic decision- making? Do we need dramatic social transformations? Who – or which forces – are preventing meaningful change?
Can innovation (e.g.: geoingeenering, artificial intelligence, etc.) play a transformative role in the whole discussion?
Kindly select a particular subject that combines ecology and economy and holds significant interest for you. This could be a place, a technology, a phenomenon, or even an idea or theory or ideology.
