SERIES

IQ2 Debate

DATE & TIME

23 OCTOBER 2018

6.30-8PM

LOCATION

SYDNEY TOWN HALL,
483 George St, Sydney

How will those of us with jobs being made obsolete by automation, survive in a capitalist society?

Is capitalism serving us now and is it capable of sustaining us well into the future? Or do we need to engineer another type of social and political system?

Capitalism is criticised for being woefully unsustainable. Its pursuit of profits and accumulation of private ownership continues to bring massive environmental degradation and unstoppable levels consumerism.

Social inequalities are growing and the poor are getting poorer. Does anyone really believe a single person deserves more money than entire populations? The rich might be good and generous people, but every dollar earned is someone else’s loss.

But then look at China. This once impoverished communist nation embraced capitalism and became the world’s cheap manufacturer. Its capitalist approach allowed it to prosper and grow into the dominant superpower with the world’s largest elite class.

We took the difficult conversation to the IQ2 stage on October 23 for “Capitalism is Destroying Us”. Our active audience were certainly not passive, asking the big questions including; is capitalism serving us now and is it capable of sustaining us well into the future? Or do we need to engineer another type of social and political system? And if so – how?

 

Catch up

Didn’t make it on the night? No worries, we’ve got you covered. The complete debate is available for streaming on YouTube. Just hit play on the viewer below.

Photo gallery

Did you come along to the debate? Check out our gallery for all the action on the night. Spot yourself, or a friend in the crowd.

Speakers

Alan Schwartz

Is an investor with 30 years’ experience in the not-for-profit and community sector. He is the president of Philanthropy Australia, the managing director of Trawalla Group and the founder and funder of the Universal Commons Project. Alan says capitalism’s focus on financial profit is overlooking other things of value for human happiness, like the environment.

Kween G

Is a Sydney based hip hop artist and radio producer. She sits on the advisory panel of the Australian Women in Music awards, and her accolades include Marrickville’s Young Citizen of the Year. Kween says capitalism is “profit over people”. She thinks our never ending consumption and pursuit of financial growth is destroying culture and the environment.

James Bartholomew

Is a London based author and columnist with The Spectator who coined the term “virtue signaling”. James has published two books: The Welfare of Nations and The Welfare State We’re In. James says capitalism has been the best economic system for human flourishing and points to the horrors of communism as a comparative example.

Eugenie Joseph

Is an economist from the Centre for Independent Studies. She specializes in regulation and taxation, with experience in both the private and public sector. Eugenie says capitalism has been instrumental in eradicating worldwide poverty rates and blaming it for existing inequality is not only unfair, but untrue.

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Who is it for?


  • THE CURIOUS
  • THE FUTURIST
  • THE PROVOCATEUR
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What you'll take away


  • 01CAPITALISM’S EXPIRY DATE
  • 02IDEAS TO SHAPE SOCIAL JUSTICE
  • 03NEW MODELS FOR A BETTER FUTURE