THE
PUBLIC
SCHOOL
PHILADELPHIA

Part II: This Financial Crisis
With Mark Kuperberg and Julie Maitrejean

In 2008, the global financial system almost collapsed, putting the word “crisis” on the front page of every newspaper.  In 2010 and 2011, the sovereign debt crisis and an atmosphere of unrest all over the world have revealed an even more severe economic and social situation.  

In the second meeting of “Dissecting Capitalism” we’ll come together to try to understand that crisis, why it happened, and what it has to do with the global movements of resistance that have been ignited in its wake.  We’ll ask: Why do crises occur and what do they tell us about capitalism?  What’s the role of government regulation in relation to crises like this one? How is this crisis different from crises of the past—and how is it the same?    

Julie Maitrejean is a French activist involved in Marxist groups based in France and the United States.

Mark Kuperberg has been a professor of economics at Swarthmore College for the past 34 years and specializes in macroeconomics.

About the series
The Dissecting Capitalism series provides an introduction to capitalism, highlighting its historical, social, and political constructs as well as its systemic, global impact. Each session will feature speakers, open discussion, and for certain dates, short readings designed to facilitate participatory debate, dialogue, and popular education. We envision the series as forming a cohesive whole, and encourage participants to attend all ten sessions, if possible.

Presented by Occupy Philly Education & Training working group