Chance to see celebrated economist and hear about ‘end of normal’

SUMMER is finally here, but the mood in some of Europe’s biggest economies remains decidedly wintry. The economic woes of Spain, Greece and Italy (to name but a few) have been painful to witness as the fall-out of the global financial crisis continues.

Question marks continue to hang over France and the UK, although this side of the Channel, we have thankfully avoided a triple-dip recession.

The million dollar question is what will happen next and when the lengthy downturn in economic activity seen in so many countries will end.

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This month one of the world’s leading economists, James K Galbraith, comes to the University of Leeds to give a public lecture in which he will offer his take on what is happening.

For anyone interested in the subject, James K Galbraith is something close to economic aristocracy. His father, John Kenneth Galbraith, was arguably America’s most famous economist and in a long and distinguished career, held numerous roles including a spell serving as an adviser to President John F Kennedy.

James K Galbraith is a highly celebrated economist in his own right. Galbraith holds degrees in economics from Harvard and Yale and studied economics at King’s College, Cambridge (UK).

His work has focused on the measurement and understanding of inequality and, more recently, the global financial crisis.

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He has authored many influential books and articles and is a Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, the University of Texas at Austin.

Galbraith has sought to make his ideas and theories accessible to the public. He regularly challenges the “conventional wisdom” (a phrase his father coined) in economics, denouncing the economic and political follies of policy makers in America and Europe.

It is difficult to think of someone better-placed to offer a more incisive, clear and accessible perspective on the economic woes facing many parts of the world – and what the future may hold.

The lecture is entitled ‘Inequality, instability and the end of normal’ and Professor Galbraith will say that the great financial crisis which erupted in 2007 will be seen as a major turning point in history.

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This public lecture, which takes place on June 25, is a real coup for the city and the university and is open to the public interested in economics and business. The event is free and places are available.

n More information and details of how to book can be found at: www.business.leeds.ac.uk/galbraith