Capitalism and Inequality

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UJktGYf25CM/VCWBqMBjExI/AAAAAAAABYQ/Sm4nMiOS_F4/Capitalism%252520%252526%252520Inequality%252520poster%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://dorset.humanist.org.uk/dorset/Capitalism%20&%20Inequality%2022nd%20October%202014.pdf) With economist Douglas Lock

In this talk, Douglas Lock will be presenting key ideas from economist Thomas Piketty’s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Piketty) surprise bestseller, ‘Capital in the Twenty-First Century’.

Piketty’s central claim is that inequality in the world’s most advanced capitalist countries is increasing and has been for at least 30 years. He also demolishes the persistent myth that we’re living in a meritocracy in which great wealth is earned and deserved, and he claims growing inequality makes democracy unsustainable.

Hailed by many progressives as an economic messiah, Piketty's ambitious goal is to change the way wealth is distributed. Among his controversial proposals are an 80 percent tax rate on the very highest earners, not to raise money for education or welfare, as he does not expect such a tax to bring in much revenue, but simply 'to put an end to such extreme incomes'.

Come along to hear Douglas explain the economic ideas that have taken the world by storm (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/27/thomas-piketty-economist-american-dream) , and made Piketty an international celebrity.

Free entry (donations appreciated). Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel (http://www.thegreenhousehotel.co.uk/) can also be accessed by road and on foot via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Dorset Humanists (http://dorset-humanists1.blogspot.co.uk/) are a Bournemouth-based community group of atheists and agnostics who provide a forum for presentations, debates and discussions about a wide range of topics including science, philosophy, religion, politics, and ethical and environmental issues. We joined Meetup fairly recently, but have been established in Bournemouth for many years. Presentations by our guest speakers are usually attended by somewhere between 40 and 100 people.
Find out more about us at http://www.dorsethumanists.co.uk or join the discussions at https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/