Transformative Talks Series: Transforming Capitalism. Paradox or Opportunity? With Rebecca Henderson (Harvard Business School) and Julia Ott (New School, NYC)

Please join us for the upcoming talk in the MPP Transformative Talks Series.

The times we are living in are characterized by multiple, simultaneous crises at the ecological, economic, social and, more recently, health level. The disastrous effects produced by this fatal synchronicity have brought to the realization that, if we are to safeguard the continuation of life on this planet, capitalism needs to be either reformed or completely transcended towards fundamentally different societies and economies. Interestingly, this position, usually the slogan of progressive political and environmental activists, is starting to gain support not only among international institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations, but also among multinational corporations, top managers, investment banks, think-tanks and consultancy companies. As a consequence of this shared realization, many governments are starting to call for the implementation of a Green New Deal able to foster the transition to  a  more  ecological  and  sustainable  economy.  Following  a  similar  trend,  multinational corporations of the  energy sector are claiming that they  will “turn the switch” towards more sustainable ways of producing energy, investment banks are proposing new green assets and loans, consultancy companies are beginning to rate companies according to their ESG impact (i.e., impact on environment, society, governance). As a reaction, it then becomes legitimate to wonder whether we are witnessing a true “awakening” of capitalism or whether this is only another way to allow “business as usual” to continue.

This event is conceived as a dialogue between two leading voices in the debate around the possibility of transforming capitalism, Rebecca Henderson (Harvard Business School) and Julia Ott (New School for Social Research, NYC).  The discussion will revolve around the following central question: Are we witnessing a true awakening of capitalism and, as such, an unprecedented moment in history, or is talking about “conscious”, “green” and “sustainable capitalism” a mere oxymoron?

Moderator
Lara Monticelli, Assistant Professor and Marie Skłodowska Curie fellow at the Dept. of Management, Politics and Philosophy and member of the CBS research cluster “Transformative Economies and Societies"

Date and Time        
9 December 2021, 15.30-17.00

Place                    
Online (via Zoom link)

Registration
Registration is required. Register here

The talk is organized by the Transformational Economies and Societies research cluster at the Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy, Copenhagen Business School. It is part of the cluster’s Transformative Talk Series, featuring lectures and workshops on current transformations within capitalism in relation to the state, law, economy, and democracy. Visit our website for other upcoming events.

Organized by MPP research cluster Transformational Economies and Societies.

VIDEO FROM TALK