Take 15 Series Interview Recorded 25 Nov 2019
Stephanie Kelton on Modern Monetary Theory
Overview
Stephanie Kelton, professor of economics and public policy at Stony Brook University, explains “modern monetary theory,” a new approach to economics. Professor Kelton’s forthcoming book, But How Will We Pay for It? Modern Monetary Theory and the Deficit Myth, shows how to break free of the myths and misunderstandings about money and the role of taxes, debt, and deficits that have hamstrung policymakers around the world. She argues that any country with its own currency need not balance its budget books in the long term and that comparisons to household budgeting are a fallacy.
The Take 15 Series is a collection of illuminating, short conversations with noted economists, best-selling authors, leading researchers, and successful practitioners on topics ranging from geopolitics and whistleblowing to irrationality and outlooks.
About the Speaker(s)
Stephanie Kelton is professor of economics and public policy at Stony Brook University. She is a leading authority on “modern monetary theory,” a new approach to economics. Professor Kelton’s forthcoming book, But How Will We Pay for It? Modern Monetary Theory and the Deficit Myth, shows how to break free of the myths and misunderstandings about money and the role of taxes, debt, and deficits that have hamstrung policymakers around the world. Previously, she was chair of the department and professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Professor Kelton has served as chief economist on the US Senate Budget Committee (Democratic staff) and as a senior economic adviser to Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. She is a visiting professor at the University of Ljubljana and the Geoff Harcourt Visiting Professor at the University of Adelaide. Professor Kelton is a regular contributor to Bloomberg Opinion, and she has written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, U.S. News & World Report, and CNN, among others. In 2016, Politico named her one of the 50 people most influencing the public debate in America. Professor Kelton received her PhD from the New School for Social Research.