Alessandro Vercelli, University of Siena and SOAS University of London

This book argues that the neoliberal development trajectory pursued in recent decades is unsustainable, and posits that neither sound macroeconomics nor empirical data support the unqualified faith in free markets that inspired it. The first part suggests a broad critical perspective on key concepts such as freedom, free market, free trade, globalisation and financialisation, before going on to analyse the long and deep recent crisis as a result of the neoliberal policy strategy adopted since the early 1980s. The alternative narrative outlined in the book provides insights into the policy strategy required to achieve a sustainable development trajectory.

Book reference Alessandro Vercelli. 2017. Crisis and Sustainability. The delusion of Free Markets. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Speaker(s): Alessandro Vercelli (University of Siena and SOAS), Jan Toporowski (SOAS) and Antonio Andreoni (SOAS)

Event Date:

24 May 2017

Released by:

SOAS Economics Podcast