Economic Policy for the 21st Century

Explore economic policy challenges and opportunities of the 21st century in this lecture by Professor John Quiggin, Australian Laureate Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland. Examine how current economic policy discussions in Australia are dominated by outdated 20th-century issues, particularly the microeconomic reform agenda of the 1980s and 1990s. Discover why modern challenges like climate change and the Global Financial Crisis are often overlooked in policy debates. Analyze the implications of these contemporary issues for economic analysis and learn about proposed policy responses. Delve into topics such as mercantilism vs. libertarianism, the knowledge economy, over-obsolescence, the internet's impact, and fundamental economic difficulties including public goods and non-market activities. Gain insights into a new policy agenda focusing on post-secondary education, research, development, and communication. Participate in a Q&A session to further explore these critical economic concepts and their relevance to shaping effective policies for the future.