New Books in Economics

The WEF is Actually Bad, But Not Like That


Listen Later

The World Economic Forum has become the bugbear of the right-wing in Canada, and beyond. Conspiracies swirl about how this shadowy, globalist cabal wants us to live in pods, eat bugs, and “own nothing, but be happy.”

These may be mere conspiracy theory and faux populism, but there are many things wrong with the WEF.

On this episode, we examine the shifting political discourse surrounding our global financial elites. How can the left operate in this ideologically confusing moment?

First, we take it back to the heyday of the 90s global justice movement and revisit the Battle in Seattle. Reactionary forces were pushing an anti-globalization line against the WTO. However, the real politics there were different: it was built on global justice and global solidarity.

Then, we go to Davos and look for left-leaning protesters organizing against the WEF. Each year, there is a planned protest hike, quite far from the actual WEF site, because Swiss authorities push demonstrates away. Yet, the WEF also invites individual activists in. We learn about that push and pull.

Finally, filmmaker and documentarian Joel Bakan is well-known for his hit documentary The Corporation, which was released in 2003–not long after the Battle in Seattle. Today, he tells us the politics are completely different: corporate leaders, including those at WEF, tell us they’re actually the good guys. His new follow-up film The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel says that this new warm-and-fuzzy branding makes the corporation even more dangerous.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

You can support the show for free by following or subscribing on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or whichever app you use. This is the best way to help us out and it costs nothing so we’d really appreciate you clicking that button.

If you want to do a little more we would love it if you chip in. You can find us on patreon.com/dartsandletters. Patrons get content early, and occasionally there’s bonus material on there too.

ABOUT THE SHOW

For a full list of credits, contact information, and more, visit our about page.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

New Books in EconomicsBy Marshall Poe

  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4

4

26 ratings


More shows like New Books in Economics

View all
EconTalk by Russ Roberts

EconTalk

4,220 Listeners

New Books in History by Marshall Poe

New Books in History

209 Listeners

LSE: Public lectures and events by London School of Economics and Political Science

LSE: Public lectures and events

270 Listeners

New Books in Psychoanalysis by Marshall Poe

New Books in Psychoanalysis

190 Listeners

New Books in Military History by Marshall Poe

New Books in Military History

163 Listeners

New Books in African American Studies by New Books Network

New Books in African American Studies

161 Listeners

New Books in Anthropology by New Books Network

New Books in Anthropology

49 Listeners

New Books in Environmental Studies by Marshall Poe

New Books in Environmental Studies

18 Listeners

New Books in Sociology by New Books Network

New Books in Sociology

46 Listeners

New Books in Philosophy by New Books Network

New Books in Philosophy

110 Listeners

New Books in Native American Studies by Marshall Poe

New Books in Native American Studies

104 Listeners

The LRB Podcast by The London Review of Books

The LRB Podcast

292 Listeners

New Books in Critical Theory by Marshall Poe

New Books in Critical Theory

143 Listeners

New Books in Intellectual History by New Books Network

New Books in Intellectual History

62 Listeners

Conversations with Tyler by Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Conversations with Tyler

2,387 Listeners

Odd Lots by Bloomberg

Odd Lots

1,774 Listeners

Macro Musings with David Beckworth by Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Macro Musings with David Beckworth

376 Listeners

Hidden Forces by Demetri Kofinas

Hidden Forces

1,437 Listeners

Capitalisn't by University of Chicago Podcast Network

Capitalisn't

526 Listeners

Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer by Civic Ventures

Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer

1,504 Listeners

The Pie: An Economics Podcast by Becker Friedman Institute at UChicago

The Pie: An Economics Podcast

175 Listeners

Ones and Tooze by Foreign  Policy

Ones and Tooze

342 Listeners

The Foreign Affairs Interview by Foreign Affairs Magazine

The Foreign Affairs Interview

414 Listeners

"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg by Turpentine

"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg

145 Listeners

The Economics Show by Financial Times

The Economics Show

110 Listeners