Robert Kuttner, cofounder of the Economic Policy Institute and “The American Prospect,” and Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos, will present his latest book, Debtors’ Prison: The Politics of Austerity Versus Possibility, at EPI at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 16.
Following the presentation there will be panel discussion with Kuttner as well as Teresa Ghilarducci, Bernard L. and Irene Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Analysis and Director of the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis at The New School for Social Research; Damon Silvers, Director of Policy and Special Counsel for the AFL-CIO; and Jared Bernstein Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
In the book, Kuttner argues that private debts are the real shackle to today’s growth, and the burden of these debts demands a response of relief and reform, not just austerity. Public debt, conversely, provides the possibility for recovery and growth, and should be expanded to finance public investments for near-term recovery and long-term growth. Kuttner shows that when creditors’ interests dominate, economies founder, but when capitalism is harnessed to grow the productive potential of all citizens—and not just holders of financial wealth—economies thrive.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
What: Presentation and panel discussion of Debtors’ Prison: The Politics of Austerity Versus Possibility
Who: Robert Kuttner, cofounder of the Economic Policy Institute and “The American Prospect,” and Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos
Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Teresa Ghilarducci, Bernard L. and Irene Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Analysis and Director of the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis at the New School for Social Research
Damon Silvers, Director of Policy and Special Counsel for the AFL-CIO
When: Thursday, May 16, 2013, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Economic Policy Institute, 1333 H St. NW, 3rd floor, Washington, DC