To leading economist Daron Acemoglu, our economic and political institutions need a dramatic overhaul. Automation maximizes profit but cuts middle-class jobs. Faith in Washington and Wall St. has crumbled. And politics is more partisan than ever. How can we hit the reset button on U.S. democracy?
Acemoglu is one of the top 20 most cited economists worldwide, and was twice named one of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers. He’s the co-author of The New York Times bestseller Why Nations Fail, and has lectured at banks, think tanks, and other institutions across the globe. Now, he’s speaking on two brand-new topics—specifically, how we’ll respond to threats posed by automation, and how we can (and will) rebuild American democracy to ensure prosperity for all.
The New Robotic Economy
AI and machine learning have made leaps and bounds in recent years, prompting increased automation in manufacturing and other industries. And while this is a boon to productivity, jobs have been lost, and no new employment opportunities are filling the gap. Acemoglu, using his own original research into labor economics, argues that we’ve been too complacent in our response. The economy needs revamping, as do our educational institutions and our workplaces. We’re at a tipping point—and further delay could spell chaos.
The Challenge of U.S. Democracy
Three megatrends are threatening American democracy as we know it. As noted, globalization and burgeoning tech threaten employment prospects for the American middle class. Fallout from the Great Recession has exposed institutional rot and the fragility of U.S. growth. And the divide between Republicans and Democrats has never been greater. So how do we bounce back? By strengthening civil society. By grounding media in objectivity. And by encouraging activism, wherever it’s needed.
Daron Acemoglu, co-author of Why Nations Fail, is available for keynotes, and is represented exclusively by The Lavin Agency speakers bureau. To hire him as your next speaker, reach out to us via phone, email, or social media.
