Escaping Adam Smith's crap idea: Returning South Africa to a production-focused economy

4.33 (3)

Escaping Adam Smith's crap idea: Returning South Africa to a production-focused economy

1 performance between Dec. 6, 2015 and Dec. 6, 2015
Think Up (TED-style Talk)
Bradley Bordiss
55mins
South Africa, like most of the world after the collapse of the Soviet Union, embraced “The Customer is King” capitalism in the earlier 1990s, following Adam Smith’s crap idea that satisfying the consumer is sole point of production. 21 years later we still have over 30% unemployment and massive inequality. Bradley will give a fascinating tour through the history of economic thought, highlighting the wonderful economists before Smith (Mercantilists like Thomas Mun) and after (the National Economist Fredrich List and his personal favourite, John Maynard Keynes) to show that there is another option besides Adam Smith Free Marketeers and North Korean Marxists. Bradley Bordiss holds a Masters Degree of Commerce in Economics and Economic History from Rhodes, and is registered for a Ph.D. at Wits, commencing in 2016. He teaches a part of the History of Economic Thought course at UCT, and runs a retail property management business with his wife.

Audience Responses

I loved the topic and the discussion after the presentation - the diversity of the audience etc. However, I found that the speaker's presentation was poor - there were mispronunciations and too much information on the screen. He also didn't seem to be an expert on his subject which was disappointing. It would have been more effective if it could have been done more as a talk and a debate I do hope you will have more on this subject though - and other debates relative to Africa/SA etc.

Merridy • Attended Dec. 6, 2015, 4 p.m.
3.0

The topic was thought provoking and relevant to what is taking place in south africa. it was well presented (hat off to Bradley). the overall experience on my first time visiting this space was that it was friendly and had a unique edge. keep it up. look forward to seeing you guys again

abubakr • Attended Dec. 6, 2015, 4 p.m.
5.0

entertaining and informative thanks