The failure of Western economies to recover fully from the 2008 crisis has encouraged some to consider the benefits of socialism and a ‘post-capitalist’ future. But there are critics who argue that every attempt to create socialist societies has ended in either failure, misery or authoritarianism. Is a revived socialism the answer to the TINA narrative? Does what is now labelled ‘socialism’ in fact bear any resemblance to what it has meant in the past? An engaging panel provide much food for thought. Filmed by WORLDwrite-WORLDbytes volunteers at the Battle of Ideas at the Barbican in November 2019, the speakers are:
Kate Andrews – associate director, Institute of Economic Affairs; columnist of City A.M. Albena Azmanova – professor of political theory, University of Kent and Brussels School of International Studies; author, Capitalism on Edge. Jonny Ball – special projects writer, New Statesman. Daniel Ben-Ami – journalist; author, Ferraris for All: in Defence of Economic Progress and Cowardly Capitalism. Douglas Lain – publishing manager, Zero Books; novelist, BASH BASH Revolution; podcaster; Youtuber. The chair is Robert Harries – membership coordinator, Education Trade Association.