Natural Capital
Our economies, livelihoods and well-being all depend on our most precious asset: Nature. We are part of Nature, not separate from it.
In February 2021 the Government published The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review which looked into the Economics of Biodiversity. Since then the subject seems to have dropped off the agenda but earlier this year Professor Dasgupta published On Natural Capital, The Value of the World Around Us. Continuing to exploit Mother Nature is not sustainable and so a deeper understanding of what she provides and how is critical. Accordingly, you are invited to join us for an exploration of Dasgupta’s insightful work that brings economics and ecology together.
Isolationism
President Trump’s International Tariff Increases are the most extreme version of a move away from the embrace of globalisation by some of the world’s major economies towards a greater measure of self-sufficiency. A recent book by the economic journalist, Ben Chu, has questioned whether this is either realistic or desirable. This term’s course will examine his evidence and his arguments.
Housing crisis; causes and remedies
We discuss topics selected on the basis of world events and the group’s particular interests. Over the last two terms our principal focus has been on the many intertwined aspects of the housing situation, and a consideration of what housing would be like if Economic Justice prevailed. This term’s course will begin by taking essentials from our studies so far and write a short paper on the current situation, causes and possible remedies for the UK housing crisis. Fresh studies will follow.
De-dollarisation and the BRICS
Arguably, the most significant change in the world economic order is the rise of the Asian economies and decline of Western dominance.
The BRICS plus countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa plus a more than 30 others) have repeatedly stated their intention of providing alternatives to the institutions set up at Bretton Woods in 1944 – specifically the World Bank and the IMF. They have been joined by the Shanghai Co-operation organisation (SCO) and the ASEAN bloc (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). This requires the US dollar hegemony being replaced by something else. But what?
We will ask: - How are over 140 nation states to co-ordinate their efforts at solving the problems facing all mankind?