In the upcoming week I will have the...
In the upcoming week I will have the opportunity to join two events as a discussant: On Tuesday I have the honor to comment on a talk by Julie Froud that introduces the concept of the ‘foundational economy’ to a general audience. In my understanding, the label ‘foundational economy’ is an approach to economic policy that suggest a strong focus on core aspects of the social provisioning process, like housing, care, food, health & public infrastructure, when thinking about economic development. The sectors collected under the heading of a ‘foundational economy’ thereby share four commonalities: first, they tend to satisfy needs rather than wants. Second, they have in the past been organized by a variety of modes of provisioning, including market-based, redistributive (e.g. by the state), reciprocal and familial modes. Third, they have been subjected to increased commodification in recent years. And, finally, they represent sectors that are of great importance when thinking about how to confront the climate crisis (housing, food, and transport are all huge emitters of carbon). Against this backdrop, heterodox economists should have some interest in this approach, not only because of its applied nature, but also because it resonates well with several strands of heterodox economics, like feminist, ecological, post Keynesian or institutionalist economics.
On Wednesday, I will take part in the series Conversations on the Future of Europe organized by the European University Institute (EUI). The session is going to address the question of whether taxes should be collected on a European level and, if so, which taxes are deemed especially suitable. In my view, taxation capabilities at the European level are ultimately necessary not only to foster the institutional development of the EU but also to combat various forms of tax avoidance that are especially pertinent when it comes to corporate taxation and the taxation of wealth or capital income. Similarly, taxing financial transaction and speculation or emissions might be more feasible and efficient if implemented coherently across the Union. Needless to say that such a financing capacity would not only boost the prospects for further integration, but also allow for a much-needed increase in the envisioned size of the European Green Deal.
Hence, I am looking forward to a busy week. I hope yours is less stressful, but at least just as meaningful ;-)
All the best,
Jakob
PS: My personal recommendation in this issue of Newsletter is to have a look at the recent issue of Feminist Economics, which has a series of highly inspiring & timely articles analyzing the economic impact of the Corona crisis through a feminist lens.