Centre for Cultural Studies Research
University of East London
The Politics of Debt
13 October 2010
14:00 to 17:00
The first of our series of seminars examining the meaning of Debt, Pain and Work in the era of austerity and coalition politics…
The Politics of Debt: Concepts and experiences of debt have become central to the management of contemporary capitalism, to understandings of its consequences and to social experience at every scale. National debt, personal debt, ecological debt are key issues for understanding contemporary culture and politics. But what exactly is debt? Can we manage without it? Are current levels of personal, national, corporate and ecological debt sustainable; and what are the origins of this most fundamental concept?
speakers:
Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardian, New Political Economy Network
Joe Cox, Campaigns Organiser at Compass, organiser of the Compass campaign against legal loan sharking
Massimo De Angelis, UEL, author of The Beginning of History: Value Struggles and Global Capital, Keynesianism, Social Conflict and Political Economy.
David Graeber, Goldsmiths College, author of Possibilities: Essays on Hierarchy, Rebellion and Desire and Direct Action: an Ethnography, currently working on a history of debt.
Room EB.G.16 (Ground Floor, East Building, Docklands Campus – East Building is to the left on entering the main square from Cyprus station)
All welcome, no need to book in advance
Further info contact Jeremy Gilbert: j.gilbert@uel.ac.uk
New Seminar Series: Debt, Pain, Work
13 October 2010
14:00
Focusing on the themes of debt, pain, and work, the coalition government has attempted to build a new common sense around the need for deep public sector spending cuts, the curtailment of strategic health authority and local governmental influence in the provision of health and education, and the sweeping shift from public sector to private sector delivery. This academic year the Centre for Cultural Studies Research at UEL is holding three linked seminars on the themes of Debt (13 October), Pain (December 1) and Work (date to be confirmed) in order to interrogate the substance of the government’s strategy. Each event will be held at UEL’s Docklands Campus in East London, and will feature speakers from a range of activist, journalistic and research backgrounds.
