"The price of civilization" with Prof Jeffrey Sachs

16 December 2011

The lecture is immediately followed by a panel discussion with:

  • Professor Valpy FitzGerald, Department of International Development
  • Professor Ian Goldin, Oxford Martin School (chair)
  • Professor Peter Tufano, Said Business School
  • Professor Adrian Wood , Department of International Development
  • Professor Sir Adam Roberts, Centre for International Studies (Please note Prof Sir Adam Roberts is replacing Prof Ngaire Woods)

Lecture summary: 'The Price of Civilization: Reawakening American Virtue and Prosperity'.

Sachs argues that for the U.S. to regain sound fiscal health the country must also reform its politics. While economic recovery necessitates coming to terms with global realities, America must also rein in lobbyists' power and political spin and limit corporate contributions. Sachs explains why the complexity of the world economy means that the American form of capitalism, with a hands-off government allowing market forces to govern the economic realm, guarantees a future of instability. He tells us why we must agree on a role for government in the equation and reach a consensus on the values that unite us as citizens of the world.

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