The Space Project Presents:

Crashing Through Capital: An Introduction to Economics

As we face austerity and what seems like an ever changing global economic situation, understanding the reasons behind it all can seem daunting. The Really Open University will be hosting a 2 month crash economics course at the Space Project. We present a beginners guide to economics through lectures, discussions, film showings and workshops unravelling the financial jargon, examining the history and analysing the causes of the crisis whilst also collectively creating our own resistance to this new stage of Capitalism.


6th Feb – "Economists and commoners: an introduction to the capitalist 'science' " David Harvie

A brief historical introduction to the ways in which economists have remade the world, and remade us in their image - and are continuing to do so. And why we should care.

David Harvie is a senior lecturer in finance and political economy at the University of Leicester, political activist and member of the Free Association collective.


13th Feb – “Inside Job” Film Showing
Film highlighting the systemic corruption within the financial system and how it led to the debt crisis. This will be followed by a discussion on the central role played by debt in Neoliberalism. The session should explain the ideology of debt and how it is inherent to the capitalist system, a great introduction to the following workshop…


20th Feb 7-pm: Corporate Watch: Debt and Resistance Workshop
This workshop will provide some basic background to the different types of debt (household, national and corporate) and their historical role within the economy and the financial crisis. Following from this there will be a discussion around strategies of collective resistance to debt-slavery and government cuts, and how to build a popular anti-debt movement.

Find out more about Corporate Watch and their banking and finance project here: http://bankingoncrisis.org/

27th Feb – "What we got for £850 billion: finance and its functions" David Harvie.

The second lecture, focusing on financial institutions and the technicalities (in everyday language) of the financial markets. How do they work? What does the jargon mean? Why did the British state commit £850 billion to bailing out the banks and why is finance so essential to neoliberal capitalism.

We'll have more events in March including reflections on the Eurozone crisis by the Occupied London blog, and talks by the ex-Deterritorial Support Group and Paul Mason. Keep an eye on the website for further details!

Contact email:  wearethespaceproject@gmail.com

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