Neoliberalism, Populism or Social Democracy?: A Humanist Perspective

Over the past few decades neoliberalism has become the dominant economic system among the world’s capitalist countries. While these policies have led to a reduction in poverty worldwide, within advanced countries deindustrialization job loss and stagnant wages have resulted in middle classes that are insecure and politically restless. The populist impulses of protectionism and nativism are on the rise. What is the solution? In this talk, Jim Barnett will discuss Scandinavian Social Democracies. Are these countries good models for how human economic security can be maintained in a global economy? There will be a discussion after the talk.

Jim is an organizer of Bay Area Humanists. He studied humanism at the Humanist Institute and is interested in the intersection of humanism and politics. He recently traveled to Scandinavia and has studied the Social Democratic system practiced there.

Everyone is welcome. We will go to a restaurant for dinner after the discussion.