Upcoming Events
ERA Adelaide hosts regular public meetings on economic and financial issues which take place at The Joinery, 111 Franklin St, Adelaide. Details of upcoming meetings will appear on this page as they are confirmed.
What is deliberative democracy?
Origins, examples and possibilities for reviving democracy in Australia
Peter Martin of Citizen Assemblies for South Australia
Venue: Seminar Room, The Joinery (ground floor), 111 Franklin St Adelaide
Date: Saturday 30th November 2.00 – 4.00pm
The widespread disillusionment of ordinary citizens with politics, political parties and politicians has been accompanied by a steady decline in political party membership in Australia over several decades. The capture of both main parties by neoliberal ideology after 1980 has also narrowed the difference between them, effectively removing serious alternative world views and value systems from civic discourse. The mass media has reinforced this decline.
At the same time, following academic interest in the US in the 1990s in forms of shared, citizen-based public decision making, various forms of ‘deliberative democracy’ have emerged, especially ‘Citizen Assemblies’ in Europe, as a radical new way to engage ordinary citizens in making important policy and decisions at government level.
This presentation reviews the origin of these ideas and practices in ancient Greece, and explains how their application in recent years has revived hopes that through well managed processes of well-informed deliberation, citizens can be effectively drawn into policy making at the highest levels. Examples of success are given, and suggestions made for their use in Australia.
Following Peter’s presentation, there will be a Q&A session addressing issues that he has raised. This will be followed by informal discussions over nibbles and refreshments.
Gold coin donation towards costs
Past ERA Events
29th June 2024
Karl Marx: His Contribution to Modern Heterodox Economics
a presentation by David Faber
25th May 2024
Modern Markets – what they are, how they emerged, and their desirable and undesirable features
Presentation by Dr Phil Lawn
23 March 2024
Modern money – what it is, how it emerged, and its desirable and undesirable features
Presentation by Dr Phil Lawn
Download a copy of the presentation slides
20 August 2023
Railways, Roads, Electricity, Water – Public or Private, why should we care?
Presentation by Richard Wales
Download a copy of the presentation slides
Are there alternative models for a potentially less damaging society not based on endless growth? – A presentation by Stephen Morris
Download a copy of the presentation slides.
Sunday 26th March 2023
Busting myths of neo-liberal economics and promoting a better way – a presentation by Bob Millar.
What needs to change to achieve a thriving world that is more compassionate, caring and inclusive? A world that works for everyone, not just the elite 1%? After all, what’s the definition of madness – to keep doing the same thing and expect different results?
This is the central theme of a book written by Bob Millar, The Dance of the Eagle and the Condor. You can purchase the book and find out more on Bob’s website: https://danceeaglecondor.com.
Bob Millar is an Australian economist and fiscal policy adviser who has lived and worked extensively in the Pacific, Middle East and Africa, as well as in Australia and the United Kingdom. His experiences have exposed him to indigenous wisdom and cultures as well as to western societies and structures.
Click here to download the slide presentation in pdf format.
23 April 2022 – Central Bank Digital Currency and Cryptocurrencies – What’s it all about?
In this seminar we explored the growing enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies and the current research into a State based digital currency. What’s the difference. Why all the fuss?
Presentations by John Hermann and Bernard Thomson followed by discussion.
A copy of the presentation slides are available here in pdf format.
17 December 2021 – End of Year function at The Joinery, Adelaide.
We began our evening together with the short TED Talk presentation by Mariana Mazzucato, a thought provoking overview of the basis of value creation.
Discussion followed and continued over our meals prepared by The Foodprint Experience.
We thank all our members and supporters and wish everyone a safe and propserous new year.
17 December 2021 – End of Year function at The Joinery, Adelaide.
We began our evening together with the short TED Talk presentation by Mariana Mazzucato, a thought provoking overview of the basis of value creation.
Discussion followed and continued over our meals prepared by The Foodprint Experience.
We thank all our members and supporters and wish everyone a safe and propserous new year.
25 September 2021 – Universal Basic Income and Job Guarantee.
Presentations by Bernard Thomson and David Joy were recorded and can be accessed using the links below.
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31 July 2021
From Academic to Practical: The challenges of living and working in a local intentional community.
Presentation and discussion with Michael Bayliss, activist and host of the Post Growth Australia Podcast and Sue Gilbey of the Christie Walk ecological housing project.
22 May 2021
Presentation on anthropologist Jason Hickel’s book, Less Is More. Hickel’s book painstakingly and devastatingly critiques capitalism and its fantasy of “green growth”, and paints a vision for how degrowth can replace it with a well-being economy which nurtures nature and the human spirit.
Click here to view slides from the presentation.
17 April 2021
Is Decoupling GDP Growth from Environmental Impact Possible?
Presentation and discussion with Associate Professor James Ward of UniSA.
For some background reading go to https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.016473327
Click here to view slides from the presentation.
20 February 2021 – Debunking some myths about Modern Money and Banking
– John Hermann
A series of slides from this talk can be viewed here.
20 March 2021
The place of the economy in our world – Bernard Thomson
View slides from the presentation here.
