A Brief History of Economics's Crises of Philosophy by Joffre Balce.

Dear all,

We have scheduled our next presentation for February. Due to family matters I will be in Spain at the time this presentation is delivered. One of our members Joffre Balce has kindly offered to share with us this interesting presentation.

I will introduce this announcement with the following words:

"Economics may be considered the driver of interactions and activities in which humans engage. While we cannot deny the role of beliefs and individual’s or territorial demands, economics goes beyond the fulfillment of basic needs, which are implied through history in the concept of the administration of scarce resources and the constant fear of the potential consequence of financial hardship.

While this role of Economics is taken for granted, modern life shows us that some ulterior motives and artificial necessities are added to the alleged dilemma of the careful handling of resources. Artificial constructs are spread around us developing a false perception of newer needs.

These two orientations of the fulfillment of basic needs and the pursuit of new artificial ones are put together under the name of Economics; and creates a whole new world of interactions and conflicts among us."

Presentation brief:

A Brief History of Economics' Crises of Philosophy by Joffre Balce.

The discussion will be on the turning points in the history of economics thought from the prehistory & cradles of civilization to the current global crisis by reflecting upon the responses of the discipline to the challenges of their times. It will attempt to evoke questions on the very purpose of economics – its identity & role in humanity's search for its own purpose & fulfillment, if it has any or if society wishes it to assume one. Lastly, the talk will highlight the importance of discerning essential economic principles from everyday, ordinary life instead of cracking the seeming complex codes of the textbooks & technical papers.

Joffre Balce has been an economist with work experiences in the sectors of academe, government, corporate & civil society. He has been active in applied research on regulation & policy in the areas of banking, finance, investment, financial restructuring, cooperative enterprise, international development, sustainability & social justice in Asia, North America & Western Europe & Australia. Currently, he is in the Executive Committee of the Association for Good Government of NSW, a non-profit, non-stock organization dedicated to education in political economy for social justice & human development.