por James Cockcroft
5 de julio de 2009*

By IIRE Fellow Eric Toussaint

As a result of the depression of the 1920s and 1930s, a new wave of critics tackled the neo-classical creed on a largely pragmatic basis. This new wave was international and involved political leaders and economists from differing belonging to various currents backgrounds: enlightened bourgeois thinkers, socialists and Marxists. In a context of mass unemployment and depression, proposals came forward for major public works, for anti-cyclical injections of public money, and even for bank expropriations.

IIRE fellow Claudio Katz interviewed by Fernando Arellano Ortiz

The exit from the systemic crisis of capitalism needs to be political, and "a socialist project can mature in this turbulence."  So says the Argentine economist, philosopher, and sociologist Claudio Katz, who also warns that the "global economic situation is very serious and is going to have to hit bottom, and now we are but in the first moment of crisis."

by IIRE Fellow Claudio Katz

It is true that banks are less leveraged, but the outflow of capital is intensifying.  Internationalized industry is hit by global overproduction, and lower prices of raw materials depress growth.  Moreover, attempts at stimulation collide with reduced resources from the central economies.

An interview with IIRE Fellow Eric Toussaint , by Pauline Imbach 

Some talked about a new start for the movement for another globalization with the World Social Forum in Belém. Do you think this is the case?

Since the World Social Forum (WSF) went through difficult moments in 2006, 2007, and 2008, we can really call this 9th edition a new start. It was a huge success in various respects.