Events

Event: Money and the Climate Crisis

In November, Phenomenal World hosted the second event of The Polycrisis, tackling the challenges of financing the green transition. The event begins with the major takeaways from COP27 and discusses plans for global coordination—in particular, the Bridgetown Initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley. In the midst of growing sovereign debt burdens, rising interest rates, and geopolitical strife, what are the avenues to lead us out of the current crisis?

The Meddlers

In November 2022, Phenomenal World hosted a panel discussion on Jamie Martin's new book The Meddlers. The text examines the origins of global economic governance following the First World War, looking at institutions such as the League of Nations and Bank for International Settlement.

The Geopolitics of Stuff

“Today, the double whammy of virus and war has brought the world economy of physical goods back with a vengeance. The postmodern myth of lightweight digital exchange has slammed into the reality of semiconductors, shipping liners, and energy shortages” - Lee Harris, Vibe Shift to Stuff, Prospect 2022

Resource Nationalism & Decarbonization

From Mexico to the Southern Cone, a renewed wave of left-wing electoral victories has yielded comparisons to the “pink tide” of the late-1990s and early-2000s. Where that turn took place in the context of a global commodity boom, these recent elections coincide with a surge in demand for minerals essential to the green transition.

Growth & Stagnation

Diminishing Returns, edited by Mark Blyth, Jonas Puntusson, and Lucio Baccaro, is a new volume that examines the politics of growth regimes. In June 2022, Phenomenal World hosted the book's launch event, featuring the editors along with Oddny Helgadottir and Evelyne Huebscher, two of the book's contributors.

The IMF & the Legacy of Bretton Woods

Fifty years on from the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, the role of the international monetary system and international financial institutions in managing the global economy are in question.

Economic War & the Commodity Shock

The war in Ukraine has unleashed both geopolitical and economic strife, and nowhere is the latter clearer than in the volatile commodities market. Commodities prices have fluctuated wildly since the Russian invasion began and the US-led coalition retaliated with extraordinary sanctions on Russia’s financial system and trade networks.

Investment & Decarbonization

In March 2021, the Biden administration announced the $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, with approximately half of the sum dedicated to fighting the climate crisis. Many, however, argued that the legislation falls dramatically short of the amount required to usher in a green transformation of our infrastructure and energy systems.

The Bonds of Inequality

In April 2021, Phenomenal World hosted Destin Jenkins for a virtual event on his new book, The Bonds of Inequality. Speakers also included Melinda Cooper, Sarah Quinn, Peter James Hudson, Yakov Feygin, and David Stein, and the discussion was moderated by Jon Levy.

Party Politics & Social Policy

According to Brazilian economist Lena Lavinas, social policy under President Lula promoted a logic of financialization and market incorporation, ultimately contributing to mass indebtedness in the Brazilian population. André Singer sees this period of social policy expansion as an attempt to reach the “Rooseveltian dream”—a political project that ended with the impeachment of President Rousseff in 2016 and the election of President Bolsonaro in 2018.

Geoeconomics & the Balance of Payments

In August 2020, JFI and Phenomenal World hosted a panel initiated and moderated by Adam Tooze that featured Mona Ali, Daniela Gabor, Izabella Kaminska, Matt Klein, JW Mason, Michael Pettis, Brad Setser, Jon Sindreu, Colby Smith, and Nathan Tankus.

Trade Wars are Class Wars

In May 2020, Phenomenal World hosted an event featuring Michael Pettis and Matthew Klein in conversation with Adam Tooze. Their discussion centered around the key findings of Pettis and Klein’s recently-released book, Trade Wars are Class Wars. The interview has been viewed by thousands across academia, as well as professionals in finance and economics. It has also been featured as “recommended reading” in the Financial Times and The Browser, among others.