The U.S. dollar and most national currencies are defined by the government but issued by banks. In this 5 session course, Allen Smith will explain the simple mechanics by which private bank create money through debt contracts. The course will also describe the working of the payment system, the role of central banks and explain how our money system influences economic choices and social outcomes such as wealth inequality. This course will combine a study of relevant theories with applications to recent events and policy debates. In this connection, Henry George’s concept of money will be re-visited as well as the relations between finance and land markets.

Instructor: Allen Smith

This series of 3 consecutive lectures will present and discuss the justifications and challenges for moving the world economy away from its dependance on hydrocarbons. The dominant narrative presents this shift as the ideal response to climate change, where increasing concentrations of CO₂ are blamed for global warming, and must be reduced to save the planet and humanity.

Our Lecturers

Professor Michael Morris, professor at Trinity College Dublin, and Director of the AMBER Centre for Advanced Materials and Bio-engineering Research.  Prof. Morris will speak about his research on the need to achieve decarbonization milestones, and the costs associated with such a transition.

Mr. Dan Sullivan, Director at Saving Communities. Mr. Sullivan will discuss the polarization of the debate between climate change alarmists and deniers and offer a Georgist perspective that would reconcile climate change mitigation policies and intergenerational equity.

Dr. Marty Rowland, Environmental Engineer and Trustee at the Henry George School. Dr Rowland will present the challenge of decarbonization from an asset management perspective and the parallel movement toward a circular economy using a Georgist lens of analysis.

The U.S. dollar and most national currencies are defined by the government but issued by banks. In this 5 session course, Allen Smith will explain the simple mechanics by which private bank create money through debt contracts. The course will also describe the working of the payment system, the role of central banks and explain how our money system influences economic choices and social outcomes such as wealth inequality. This course will combine a study of relevant theories with applications to recent events and policy debates. In this connection, Henry George’s concept of money will be re-visited as well as the relations between finance and land markets.

Instructor: Allen Smith