No Economy On A Dead Planet: But Does The Magic Money Tree Really Exist?

A true Just Transition for all low-income groups will require massive funding from governments within and without nation states. This can only be funded by Modern Monetary Theory (or the Magic Money Tree). This is easier to do with a fiat currency, but the basic principle is: “Spend and tax rather than tax and spend”.

Panel discussion asking if Modern Monetary Theory can contribute to a just transition and climate justice in an Earth crisis.

Panelists: Prof John Barry (Professor of Green Political Economy, QUB), Dr Esmond Birnie (Senior Economist, UU), Neil Alldred (Department for International Development Alumni) and Shauna Corr (Freelance Investigative Journalist).

They will explore the following:

• Is Modern Monetary Theory real or is it a Magic Money Tree?
• Why could governments find virtually unlimited funds down the back of the sofa in 2008 and 2020?
• What is the role of taxation?
• Are journalists asking politicians the correct questions in the face of a climate and ecological emergency?
• Should we be asking: “growth of what?” and “growth for the benefit of whom?”
• Should mini-publics be promoted?
• Should George Monbiot have been on this panel?
• Questions from the floor.

Part of Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas & Politics>>