Apresentação
The recent financial collapse and the ensuing economic downturn are still imposing hardship and suffering upon millions all over the world, especially the poor and the unemployed. The crisis has raised public awareness of the consequences of neoliberal drift and of the shortcomings of a mainstream academic economics that did not anticipate the financial meltdown and economic downturn, and even actively contributed to setting up the new (toxic) financial architecture. For many - economists, managers and politicians - the depression has been a sobering experience. Statements produced in the heat of events even suggest that this could be an opportunity both for seriously reconsidering and reversing the trend towards a growing financialisation of the economy, and for recasting the very foundations of knowledge of the economy. However, at the first signs of recovery, the habitual ways of thought, and of doing politics and business are settling down once again.
The need is therefore felt - with a sense of urgency - to widen public debate stimulated by renewed social science perspectives on economic issues. The failure of mainstream economics, acknowledged by many, calls for a revival and renewal of political economy. This will be achieved by strengthening the ongoing dialogue among scholars in all fields of the social sciences and humanities interested in economic processes and their relation to politics, morality, culture and nature.
The reflection needed must go beyond means and measures that may secure a return to a ‘normal’ growth regime and move on to reconsider the ends to be pursued by public policies and institutional change. The new political economy in the making should address the issue of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. Prosperity – the purpose of any economy – can no longer be separated from social justice and environmental values.
Capitalisms and Institutional Change
Peter Hall (Harvard University)
The Political Origins of our Economic Discontents
Capitalisms and Institutional Change
Brigitte Young (University of Münster)
The Revival of Political Economy: Bringing Capitalism Back In (Again), the State (Once Again), and Financial/Economic Culture(s)
Capitalisms and Institutional Change
José Reis (University of Coimbra)
Why variety is still a good reason to think about political economy?
Institutional based strategies and “mixed economies”
Sustainability: Economic, Social and Environmental
Robert Boyer (CEPREMAP-CNRS, France)
THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SUSTAINABILITY OF CAPITALISMS
After the subprime crisis
Sustainability: Economic, Social and Environmental
Joan Martinez-Alier (University of Barcelona)
Environmental justice and economic degrowth: an alliance between two
movements
Sustainability: Economic, Social and Environmental
Boaventura Sousa Santos (University of Coimbra)
presented by João Arriscado Nunes (University of Coimbra)
Learning from the South
The Revival of Political Economy
Nuno Martins (OPorto Portuguese Catholic University)
Heterodox Economics and the Revival of Political Economy
The Revival of Political Economy
Phil O’Hara (University of Technology, Australia)
Core General Principles for the Revival of Political Economy
The Revival of Political Economy
Ana Cordeiro Santos (University of Coimbra)
RECENT ECONOMICS AND THE REVIVAL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY
