Why marry capitalism with democracy? Mary Kostakidis and Yanis Varoufakis
Saturday, 28 Nov 2015, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Past event
When first world governments talk about ‘spreading democracy’ to developing nations, we might assume a barely-veiled synonym for delivering capitalism. Of course, that’s no surprise; capitalism and democracy have been entangled for hundreds of years, formally and otherwise. Free markets and free speech masquerade as the best of friends. Are they?
Yanis Varoufakis has a unique view: as Greece’s minister of finance through this year’s Eurozone debt meltdown, he was charged with the unenviable task of steering democracy’s birthplace through a deep crisis of capital. (His staunch view? ‘Austerity sucks.’) The rockstar economist and self-described ‘libertarian Marxist’ is also a recognised expert on game theory, the author of several books on political economy, and an experienced academic and teacher.
Journalist and social justice advocate Mary Kostakidis joins Yanis Varoufakis for a conversation about Europe’s future, Australia’s prospects and ideas of fairness and equity – as well as contemporary democracy and the health of our political system.
Note to early bookers: if you booked tickets to this event prior to Thursday 19 November, some details may have changed. Please check theinterrobang.wheelercentre.com/#important-info for details.
Featuring
Featuring
Yanis Varoufakis is an economist and co-founder of the DiEM25 movement for democracy, which he was re-elected to the Greek parliament to represent in 2019. A former Finance Minister of Greece, he is the author of a memoir, Adults in the Room, and a history, And the Weak Suffer What They Must?, whi... Read more
Mary Kostakidis is a journalist and for 20 years presented SBS World News. In 1980 she was a member of the management team that developed SBS television. Mary was a member of the National Human Rights Consultation Committee that recommended a Human Rights Act for Australia. A former Chair of US... Read more
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