Room for Discussion

Since the bankruptcy of Lehman brothers ten years ago, we have experienced a financial meltdown, the start of Room for Discussion, a sovereign debt crisis and the introduction of unorthodox monetary policy. To fight against the consequences of the crisis, the European Central Bank followed the major central banks of the world and implemented quantitative easing (QE). Now that the economy is blooming, banks are better capitalized and the exit of QE is in sight. How does Governor Knot look back ten years after the crisis? And are we in safe waters, capable of preventing a future crises?

Moreover, as the situation—at least on paper—normalises, policymakers in Europe lead by the French government and the new German coalition, are looking into furthering European integration. As the official monetary regulator and price stabiliser of the EU, the ECB must play an important role. How will the ECB manoeuvre these rough political waters? Can the success of greater monetary union--through the banking union--be followed by success on the fiscal side?

Interviewers: Santiago Diaz & Olaf Vrijmoet
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

At Room for Discussion we engaged in a discussion about voting behaviour, populism and the future of the left. Why do people vote in the first place? And which factors determine whether someone votes to further their own self interest or in line with their idea of an ideal society?

Our guest was Didier Eribon, a renowned French author and philosopher and Professor of Sociology at the University of Amiens. His latest work, Returning to Reims (which became a bestseller in Germany and has just been translated into Dutch) assesses how class, sexual identities and one’s social environment influence people's voting behaviour. The book is a sociological study of the the working classes analysing their voting patterns (from voting for Communist Parties to the Nationalist Parties, e.g. the Front National).

Interviewers: Benji Kusters & Valentina Gianera
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency that launched just a few weeks after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, is currently worth an estimated $41 billion. Digital coins like Bitcoin have become a global phenomenon. There are currently just under 1400 different coins in circulation, trading on 190 digital exchanges. How do these coins differentiate themselves, what aspects give them a viable future and do they have the potential to replace currency as we know it?
Cryptocurrencies carry a very ideological philosophy with them. Blockchain, the underlying technology of cryptocurrencies, could facilitate a world that enables us to trust strangers without a third party necessary to verify transactions. This has the potential to change our lives and threaten the position of established ‘trust-based’ institutions. What would this blockchain ruled world, without intermediaries, look like?

Our guests for this session are Masahiro Yasu (Founder and CEO of Alis—the first Japanese social media platform using blockchain) and Alfred Prevoo (financial economist and former supervisor at the European Central Bank. Currently managing an investment institution focused on cryptocurrencies)

Interviewers: Joshua Nooij & Olaf Vrijmoet
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

On the 4th of March the Italian general elections take place. As the Italian economy has not yet fully recovered from a severe recession and people are unsatisfied with the solutions proposed to tackle the migration crisis, there is a lot at stake. But how come that the third-largest economy in Europe is not growing the way it should? What is it that the Italians are discontent with?

We will discuss this and more with Massimo Giuliodori (Professor of empirical macroeconomics at the University of Amsterdam) and Lorenzo Marsili (Author, political activist and member of Diem25)

Interviewers: Sara Joelle Baars & Paolo Destilo
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

The goal of the EIB is to finance projects that bring about European integration and social cohesion. How do projects get chosen and where in the European economy lay underutilized opportunities to reach this goal? Werner Hoyer believes for instance there is an overall investment gap in the European Union, stating that our infrastructure spending is at a 20-year low.
And even though the Eurozone is on a solid recovery to high growth, it still faces great challenges to overcome future crises. The economic divergence between the North and South, and high private debt levels are examples that there is still a lot to be done. How does the EIB fit into this picture, and should it increase its mandate in order to face contemporary economic challenges?

Interviewers: Miguel Krol & Santiago Diaz Jaramillo
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

In this interview, Rutger Bregman (Dutch journalist and advocate for a universal basic income) debates Hilmar Schneider (Director of the institute of Labour Economics in Bonn) on the necessity and the feasibility of a Universal Basic Income.

Interviewers: Miguel Krol and Olaf Vrijmoet
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

Today's guest is one of the most prominent voices in the current globalization debate: political Economist at Harvard University and author of the bestseller 'The Globalization Paradox', Dani Rodrik.

In this interview we discuss the myths that lay behind the case for economic global integration, but also the opportunities of wealth creation that it enables. Should we embark on a path to deepen globalisation, or should we praise sovereign states flourishing side by side like in the Bretton Woods era?

Interviewers: Jochem Jordaan and Miguel Krol
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

Cowspiracy has been seen by many people around the globe. It addresses the enormous impact of the animal agriculture on our environment, and why so many environmental organizations seem to ignore this. The movie calls for urgent action and proposes a vegan diet as a solution for our environmental and even poverty issues.

Through the eyes of Kip Andersen, we will explore both the flaws of the livestock industry and the solutions for it. We will talk about Cowspiracy and Kip’s upcoming movie. While doing so we provide deeper insights into both movies and explore the solutions for the future. There will be plenty of space for questions from the audience, but we have limited seating capacity! Be early if you would like to sit instead of stand.

Interviewers: Floris Rijssenbeek and Igno Notermans
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org

Op 14 december 2016 was Thierry Baudet te gast bij Room for Discussion. Hij sprak over zijn visie op de Nederlandse politiek en over zijn net opgerichte partij Forum voor Democratie.

Interviewers: Jeppe van Aubel en Lauren Heeremans
Music: Ruse by www.musicscreen.org