The Market Turn, the Failure to Meet the Climate Challenge, and What Comes Next

The Market Turn, the Failure to Meet the Climate Challenge, and What Comes Next

Speaker: Dr. Eric Kemp-Benedict, Associate Professor of Ecological Economics at the University of Leeds.

Held at The Café Economique at Seven Arts 31A Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD.
 

How to make sense of the present moment? This talk presents one framing, drawing on the notion of the ‘Market Turn’ introduced by the Oxford economic historian Avner Offer. Beginning in the 1980s, the UK, together with the US and some other high-income countries, began to shift away from social democracy towards market liberalism – the Market Turn.

This talk argues that the Market Turn has undermined our capacity for collective action to address global challenges. Noting that justice and fairness are instrumental – and not only moral – necessities for mobilizing collective action, this presenter argues that some notions of justice are better suited than others. While market liberalism includes a concept of justice, it is individualistic rather than collective. What is more, market liberal policies have, over the past decades, erected structural barriers to addressing common challenges, whether within Yorkshire, at national level, or internationally. This has contributed to our failure to meet the climate challenge.

At present, market liberalism may itself be in decline. It is too early to tell where current trends will lead. But it is not too early to consider possibilities. Drawing on the recent writings of thoughtful commentators, this talk presents some sketches of possible futures, noting how our individual choices can influence how the future unfolds.

How to book a place

Please visit the venue link and book online .