Dear Colleagues:

The world economy is moving into its fifth year of financial crisis (counting from the collapse of Lehman Brothers), and the recent phase has been dominated by worries about the Eurozone.

The economic concerns include not only sovereign defaults, but how the policies to avoid default could deepen recessions in those countries; how those recessions or the costs of subsidies to avoid them may weaken the richer economies of Europe; whether the Euro itself, a major currency, can survive the pressures; and what a Eurocollapse might do to the world economy.

Then there’s the politics: what the economic crisis and conflict will do to (or maybe for?) the six-decade-long effort to integrate Europe, based on a community of shared economic interest, and so overcome the tensions that plunged the world into war twice in the twentieth century.

Professor Posner’s research focuses on the EU’s effect on European markets and economic regulation. He spent 2011-12 on sabbatical at Sciences-Po in Paris and the Bruegel Institute in Brussels. His expertise should provoke a good discussion of one of the most important issues in the world today.

All best regards,
Joe White
Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Director, Center for Policy Studies

About Our Guest…

Elliot Posner’s research focuses on institutional change and innovation, the sources of international regulatory power and cooperation, and the nature of markets. Much of his recent work pursues these topics in the context of political battles over the rules governing finance in the European Union, the Transatlantic arena and international bodies. His book, The Origins of Europe’s New Stock Markets (Harvard University Press, 2009), explores the causes of the EU’s emergence as a regional and global financial player and addresses classic and new questions about the origins of markets and their relationship to politics and bureaucracy. He is currently conducting research on multilateral efforts to coordinate supervision of financial activity, the EU’s role in shaping international regulations and European reactions to the financial crisis. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in the European Journal of International Relations, Journal of European Public Policy, International Organization, the Review of International Political Economy, World Politics and edited volumes.

Where We Meet

Mather House is located next to the Thwing student center two buildings to the right of Kelvin Smith Library on Euclid Avenue. Please enter the front door to Mather House and turn right. Mather House Room 100 is at the end of the hall.

Parking Possibilities

The most convenient parking is the lot underneath Severance Hall. We regret that it is not free. From that lot there is an elevator up to street level labeled as for the Thwing Center.

Friday Lunch Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

October 5: Presidents and the Media. With Jeffrey E. Cohen Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, Fordham University

October 12: The Future of Primary Care. With George Kikano MD, Chair, Department of Family Medicine.

October 19: Biblical Rhetoric in the 2012 Elections. With Timothy K. Beal, Florence Harkness Professor of Religion.***Special Location: Mather House 100***

October 26: Special Event in Memory of Alec Lamis – “Insecure Majorities: Congress and the Permanent Campaign.” With Frances E. Lee, Professor of Government and Politics, University of Maryland ***Special Location: Wolstein Medical Research Building auditorium, first floor, 2103 Cornell Road. Lunch and Mama Jo’s pies provided.***

November 2: Political Science Department Pre-Election Forecasts. With Justin Buchler, Associate Professor of Political Science, and colleagues.

November 9: What Just Happened? Open discussion about the election results, with Joe White, Chair, Department of Political Science.

November 16: Learning from Mad Cows. With Dr. Pierluigi Gambetti, Professor and Director, Division of Neuropathology and Director, National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center.

November 30: The Medium is the Message: What Happens When Universities Digitize Course Evaluations. With Timothy J. Fogarty, Professor of Accountancy.

December 7: The “Chicago Boys” Without Pinochet: Privatization and Protest in Chile. With Diane Haughney, Ph.D.