Public Money and Handbag Economics

[marian farrell]

An invitation to Belfast and District Trades Union Council Annual Mayday Lecture 2014:

Mary Mellor —

Public Money and Handbag Economics: The Ideology of Austerity

Tuesday 29^th April 2014 @ 7pm

Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre, 45/47 Donegall Street Belfast

 As the recent financial crisis has revealed, the state is central to the stability of the money system, while the chaotic privately-owned banks reap the benefits without shouldering the risks. Mary argues that money is a public resource that has been hijacked by capitalism and must be returned to democratic control. She also challenges the oft repeated austerity dogma that ‘Handbag Economics’ is the common sense of our age meaning the public sector must live within its means, balance its books and cut its coat according to its cloth. We face more years of austerity, not because it is in recession, but in pursuit of the handbag ideal.

 Mary Mellor is a Professor at Northumbria University who is renowned for her writings and talks on economics. Her talk is sure to be interesting, engaging and oftentimes humorous.

 This is a free event and all welcome. Please share and circulate event details.