Economics for Everyone

FEBRUARY 1, 2010:  I've just arrived in lovely Auckland, New Zealand, where I will spend the next 5 months on a research sabbattical.  I am developing a strong affinity for the southern half of this sorry planet.  After all, I wrote most of e4e while living in Melbourne, Australia on my last leave in 2006-07.  I came back through the Antipodes last summer (their winter).  And now I'll be hanging out in New Zealand -- still suffering mightily from the neoliberal legacy of Sir Roger Douglas and his "Rogernomincs," I might add -- until July.

(In case anyone is wondering, I am on a "4 over 5" plan at the CAW: I work for 80% of my regular salary, and can take every fifth year off, or take 6 months off after 2 years.  So technically speaking this leave is unpaid.  But it's great for the sanity of trade unionists and other hard-working souls!)

I've made some great connections with trade unionists and progressives down here.  In August I gave a series of talks based on e4e in Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.  Many thanks to my hosts (the EPMU in New Zealand, the AMWU in Australia, RMIT in Melbourne, the University of Adelaide, and the University of Sydney).

A tape of one of my Australia talks has been posted on the AMWU website.

Also, a feature interview between me and Stephen Long on ABC radio is posted on the ABC website.

One of my talks was the second Ted Wheelright Memorial Lecture, hosted by the wonderful Political Economy program at the University of Sydney.  Ted was one of the founders of that program.  It was a tremendous honour to deliver the second lecture.  Here's the transcript of my remarks, as published in the Journal of Australian Political Economy.

While in Australia I guest taught a 4-day course in economics for trade unionists, to a group of dedicated AMWU officials meeting on Australia's Central Coast.  It was a great opportunity to test-drive the powerpoint lectures I have been slowly working on to go with the book.  (I solemnly pledge that while I'm on leave in Auckland, I will FINALLY get the whole set of 13 powerpoint lectures up in the Resources section of this web site.)

This year while I'm in New Zealand I will teach three 2-day schools for union officials and others.  These will be in Wellington (April 22-23), Auckland (May 3-4), and Christchurch (June 8-9).  The schools are hosted by the EPMU (the CAW's sister union here in Aotearoa), but are open to officials and delegates from other unions, and (space allowing) to other activists as well.  If you're interested please contact my good buddy Ross Teppett from the EPMU at Ross.Teppett@epmu.org.nz.  While you're at it, wish Ross a happy birthday (it's a round number).

And of course while I'm in this neck of the woods I will cross the ditch back to Australia one more time.  I am giving a lecture at the University of Sydney (to the Political Economy program's Friday pub lecture series -- what an awesome concept, drunken audiences ALWAYS laugh louder at my jokes!) on Friday May 14.  Then I'm coming back two weeks later for two events: the big Left Renewal Conference sponsored by the SEARCH Foundation May 29-30 (see details at http://www.search.org.au/archives/1542) and then another talk at the Uni of Sydney on May 31.

I've had several folks in New Zealand ask where they can buy e4e. It's at Unity Books in Wellington and Auckland, and also at the UBS Bookstore at the University of Auckland. Or you can always get it through the Pluto website.