Public lecture focuses on the effects of populism

All interested parties are invited to his lecture "The AfD paradox, the effects of populism on the economy and social groups" in the Central Lecture Hall Building of the BTU, Audimax 1. Registration is not required. Admission is free.

Populist demands are increasingly finding their way into the programs of many political parties. Populism attempts to pit vulnerable groups against each other and make socially acceptable claims that may apply to individual cases but are false in their generalization. What does this mean for the economy, wages, income and jobs? How does this affect society and its polarization? And what are the long-term implications for prosperity and sustainability?

Moderation: Prof. Dr. Frank Wätzold, BTU, Chair of Economics, in particular Environmental Economics

Date: Wednesday, 22 May 2024, 17:30 to 19:00
Location: Audimax 1 at the main campus of the BTU, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 3, 03046 Cottbus

Marcel Fratzscher is a scientist, author and columnist on economic and socio-political topics, President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and Professor of Macroeconomics at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Among other things, he is a member of the United Nations High-level Advisory Board on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a member of the Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Board of Trustees of the Hertie School of Governance.
His work focuses on macroeconomics and financial markets, inequality, globalization and European integration. He is a columnist for Zeit Online and regularly publishes commentaries in German and international media such as the Financial Times and Project Syndicate.
In March 2022, his new book "Money or Life - How our irrational relationship with money is dividing our society" was published, which dispels long-standing myths about how we deal with money - with savings, debt, inflation and interest rates - and presents an analysis of future financial risks, retirement planning and wealth creation. His previous books "Die Deutschland Illusion", "Verteilungskampf - Warum Deutschland immer ungleicher wird", "The Germany Illusion" and "Die neue Aufklärung - Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft nach der Corona-Krise" focus on the transformation of the economy and society and Germany's role in Europe and the world.

About the "Open BTU "lecture series
From 10 April to 12 June 2024, the public lecture series "Open BTU"offers interesting insights into exciting scientific fields. In the summer semester, the following topics will be examined from different perspectives:

• Empathy, guilt and forgiveness after the 2nd World War
• Sorbian/Wendish culture in the current transformation process
• The effects of populism on the economy and social groups
• Trees in transition - challenges and opportunities (as part of the 32nd Cottbus Environment Week)
• 75 years of the Basic Law - crisis-proof or in need of renewal
• Battery research for the energy transition - prospects for innovative battery recycling.

With this educational format, which is open to all interested parties, the university's Centre for Continuing Education supports lifelong learning and funds the transfer of knowledge and ideas in the region by addressing socially relevant issues. The BTU cooperates with other universities and institutions. Each lecture will be followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion with the speakers. Anyone interested is cordially invited to take part in the wide range of events on offer.

More about the lecture series "Open BTU": https://www.b-tu.de/weiterbildung/offene-hochschule/open-btu