From: GERALD LEVY (gerald_a_levy@msn.com)
Date: Sat May 03 2008 - 06:50:55 EDT
> It just seems extraordinary that the important scholarly work this conference represents is underresourced... Hi Jurriaan: I don't think it's extraordinary; I think it's par for the course. There are, after all, not a lot of sources for funding for conferences on Marxian and heterodox economists. The 'resource' which keeps conferences like this, and other activities of and by heterodox economists going, is human. I.e. it's not the money but the time and effort of dedicated scholars (from URPE, CSE, and other associations) which reproduces these events. IMO, Fred Lee deserves special recognition and appreciation. In the '70s there were more sources of funding. This was, in large part, a reflection of the radicalization of the times. The decline is funding for conferences is but one manifestation of what has happened in recent decades. The decline in radical economics departments, and radical students who want to take courses and study for degrees in those departments is another (and it is this which fueled the radical departments themselves). There is an irony here, though, because of the 'time lag' that is required to produce Marxian scholars, Many (if not most) of those scholars were radicalized in the 60's and/or 70's, but the radicalization ended long ago: so, in some ways, these scholars are the 'flowers' of another period who have come to bloom when other intellectual life had wilted. But, having bloomed, these flowers must express themselves: hence the plethora of articles, books, conferences, - and even a mailing list (or 2) - for self-expression. Ultimately, I think that the only thing that will infuse lots of 'new blood' and significantly more financial resources is another radicalization. But, while the economy is slumping and/or crashing (depending on your perspective) there are scant indications internationally of another radicalization. Perhaps the best hope for that in the next few years is in Latin America. In solidarity, Jerry _______________________________________________ ope mailing list ope@lists.csuchico.edu https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/ope
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