UK Modern Monetary Theory Conference
University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Organization: The Gower Initiative for Modern Money Studies
The University of Leeds
July 15-17, 2024
CALL FOR PAPERS
(Submissions Deadline: Friday March 1, 2024)
Background:
The Gower Initiative for Modern Money Studies was launched in 2018 and is part of an international movement challenging the economic orthodoxy of the last four decades. Its founders came together through a common concern that the dominant economics of our day is deeply flawed.
To that end, the primary aim of GIMMS is education that provides the tools to enable people to understand that the state of the public finances per se is not a limiting factor in government spending, and that the central question revolves around the development and distribution of real resources, along with the political nature of those decisions.
GIMMS’ mandate is to challenge the household budget narrative of the state finances that dominates the daily political and media discourse and to encourage a discussion about the full range of government’s priorities and policy options and how best they can serve the public purpose.
The Gower Initiative for Modern Money Studies is delighted to announce the inaugural UK Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) Conference to be held at The University of Leeds from July 15 to 17, 2024.
This groundbreaking event will feature Warren Mosler, author of ‘Soft Currency Economics’ (1993), the publication of which became the basis for what has become popularised as Modern Monetary Theory. Warren will be our special guest and the first-day keynote speaker, and will attend all three days, participating and providing critical analysis in multiple sessions.
Call for Papers:
Scholars, researchers, and practitioners are invited to submit papers on themes consistent with MMT understanding of economic thought with a particular emphasis on critical reviews of Warren Mosler’s economic insights and published work available to view via Mosler Economics.
First day
The first day of the conference will be dedicated to papers reviewing and critically engaging with Mosler’s extensive body of work. Suggested topics for critical evaluation are:
Price anchor theory and its history
Ramifications of modelling of the currency as a public monopoly
Zero interest rate policy (ZIRP)
Interest rate policy dynamics as related to the level of public debt and international trade
Real terms of trade and employment policy
Full employment and price stability
Critical analysis of the differences between inflation as academically defined and price increases
Exchange rate policy and employment
Bank regulation and public purpose
The role of and options for taxation.
Second day
The second day of the conference welcomes academic papers that align with MMT principles on a broader spectrum. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
Taxing authority, unemployment and fiscal policy
The role of central banks
The dynamics of floating vs fixed exchange rates in a multi-currency world
The source of the price level, and consequences of changes in the price level
Sustaining full employment under real resource constraints
Financial regulations and public purpose
The Truss budget and LDI scandal from an MMT viewpoint
Abstracts of 300 to 600 words for both critical evaluations of Mosler’s work and general MMT-consistent papers should be submitted by March 1, 2024.
Third Day – Practical Application of MMT to Real-World Policies:
The third day of the conference shifts focus to the practical application of MMT insights to real-world policies. This day is designed to be inclusive of diverse disciplines. We warmly invite contributors to engage in workshops and breakout sessions, fostering collaborative discussions on matters pivotal to contemporary challenges. Some key areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
Energy self-sufficiency, sustainability and productivity
Analysis of the real resource constraints on the NHS
Questions surrounding and proposals regarding housing availability and affordability
Defining and achieving productivity and investment
Analysis of the political engagement of MMT
Further suggestions for workshops, short presentations and breakout sessions should be submitted by March 1, 2024.
This inclusive day is a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration, where diverse perspectives can converge to explore how MMT understandings can contribute practically to addressing the pressing challenges of our time. Join us in shaping a dialogue that bridges the theoretical foundations of MMT with the tangible applications needed to drive meaningful change.
Submission Guidelines:
We look forward to an enriching exchange of ideas, critiques, and practical applications during this three-day event. Join us in advancing the discourse on Modern Monetary Theory and exploring its potential impact on shaping economic policies.
To submit abstracts please contact the conference organisers via email abstracts@mmtconference.uk
To receive updates about the conference please email info@mmtconference.uk
Neil WIlson