The Center on Capitalism and Society will hold its 20th annual conference, Let’s Talk About Capitalism – And Society Too, on Monday, September 18, 2023 at Columbia University's Faculty House.
Let’s Talk About Capitalism – and Society Too refers to the extraordinary objections being raised against capitalism in America and several European nations. It refers also to extraordinary charges of sickness in American and some European societies. According to a recent Pew Research Center Survey, 39% of Americans have a “negative impression of capitalism” – notwithstanding the gains made by some groups. Is capitalism broken? Do we know of a better system?
Capitalism and society are interconnected, of course. It may be difficult to have a healthy society without an effective economy. It would be unusual to have a bountiful economy without a society expressing its creativity.
Livestream: click here to stream the conference
Agenda:
8:30am: Registration opens
9:00am - 9:03am - Welcome and introduction
Edmund Phelps, 2006 Nobel Laureate in Economics and Director, Center on Capitalism and Society
Morning sessions: Capitalism
9:03 - 9:30am
Redesigning Politics for Sustainable Development
Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network
9:30am - 10:00am
Capitalism and the Challenge of Inequality
Andrzej Rapaczynski, Daniel G. Ross Professor of Law Emeritus and Joseph Solomon Professor Emeritus of Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning, Columbia University
10:05 am - 10:35am
From Social Democracy to Democratic Socialism: Lessons from a Brief History of Equality
Thomas Piketty, Professor at School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) and at the Paris School of Economics*
*Appearing virtually
10:40am - 11:10am
Taking Stock
Richard Robb, Professor of Professional Practice in International Finance, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and CEO, Christofferson, Robb & Company
11:15am - 11:45am
Women vs Capitalism: How the System, Left to Itself, Constrains and Undervalues Women’s Contribution to the Economy and Produces Sub-Optimal Economic and Social Outcomes
Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy at the Department of Political Economy, King’s College, London
11:50am - 12:20pm
What (If Anything) Is Wrong with Capitalism?
Rahel Jaeggi, Professor of Practical Philosophy and director of the Center for Humanities and Social Change, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
12:25pm - 12:55pm
From Progress to Pessimism: The Case of Sweden
Leif Pagrotsky, politician and economist, former Minister of Industry and Trade of Sweden
1:00pm - 2:30pm - Luncheon at Faculty House (By invitation)
Capitalism and Kinship
Agnes Callard (luncheon speaker), philosopher (Ancient Philosophy and Ethics) and Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Chicago
Afternoon sessions: Work and Society
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Ruling by Acting
Richard Sennett, Chair of the UN Habitat Urban Initiatives Group, Senior Fellow at the Center on Capitalism and Society at Columbia University, and Visiting Professor of Urban Studies, MIT
3:05pm - 3:35pm
A Dysfunctional Market Economy: Italy
Stefano Micossi, Advisor on strategy and policy, Assonime, Visiting Fellow, European University Institute, and former Director General of Industry, European Commission
3:40pm - 4:10pm
Lessons from the Harvard Study of Adult Development about Social Connection and Work
Marc Schulz, Professor of Psychology on the Sue Kardas PhD 1971 Professorship and Director of Data Science, Bryn Mawr College; Associate Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development
4:15pm - 4:45pm
How the Welfare State Affects Inequality and Social Mobility: A Comparison of the U.S. and Denmark
James Heckman, 2000 Nobel Laureate in Economics and The Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and the College, University of Chicago
4:50pm - 5:20pm
Economic Growth in the Anthropocene
Sir Partha Dasgupta, Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Cambridge
5:30pm - 6:45pm - Cocktail Reception at Faculty House
7:00pm - 8:30pm - Dinner at Faculty House (By invitation)
The Economy and the Good Society
Joseph Stiglitz (dinner speaker), 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics and University Professor, Columbia University
For more information, please contact [email protected].