There is a tremendous need to occupy economics, given the complicity of mainstream economics in creating the current crises and the limited nature of the debate concerning economic alternatives within mainstream political and economic circles in the United States.
One of the most interesting projects to occupy (or reoccupy) economics has been taking place within the Occupy Wall Street movement. Since last fall—first in Zuccotti Park, and now in Union Square, in groups large and small—people have been coming together, within the context of the Occupy University, to discuss a wide range of economic issues and concerns.
We discuss inequality in the US and around the world, who are the 1% and what does it take to get there, what is the relationship between the banks and the Federal reserve, how the financial crisis got going, what’s happening in Europe and “Why can’t I find a good job?”. We also talk about alternatives, from coops and credit unions to open source to what a democratic economy looks like.
The courses in Radical Economics 101 have been organized every Sunday by the committed efforts of Maliha Safri of Drew University and Suresh Naidu of Columbia University. Recently, they’ve been joined by Mark Brenner from Labor Notes.
Let’s chant together: “Tell me what economics looks like! This is what economics looks like!”
