The museum is delighted to continue to work with the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) to host a series of courses in autumn 2016. You can find out more about the Zombie Capitalism and its discontents course in our guest blog from WEA tutor Mark Krantz, who is leading the course.
Since the economic crash of 2008 austerity has been imposed on the people by politicians and bankers. Today the need for austerity is being challenged. This course will examine various explanations of economic crises, as well as the impact of austerity on people and politics today.
Faced with the financial crisis that began in 2007, some commentators talked of the dangers of ‘zombie banks’. Too many financial institutions had lent money they did not have, to people who could never pay them back. This led to the ‘banking crisis’. As the banks got bailed out, their debts were taken over by nation states, which in order to balance their books, brought in harsh cuts and an economic policy of austerity. With no signs of an end to the economic crisis, increasingly people are challenging the assumption that austerity is necessary. Some economists are predicting even more economic uncertainty, others a long recession or even another crash.
This course will study:
- Previous economic crises, and the crisis today
- The impact of austerity on the people and on politics
- We will consider competing economic theories; from Neoliberalism to Keynesianism, Marxism to Corbynomics, as well as current theories of economic inequality
- Look at current protest movements, the political and electoral consequences of austerity, as well as alternative economic futures.
Suitable for people aged 19 years and over
Course runs Mon 26 September to Mon 5 December (half term break on Mon 24 October), 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Cost £65.10 or free to those in receipt of means tested benefits
Booking Requirements: Booking required by contacting WEA on 0151 243 5340 or booking online via WEA’s website. Please quote course ref C3839453
*Please note this is a ten week course, attendees are required to book onto all ten weeks of the course*
People's History Museum (PHM) 