The Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization at the University of Colorado Boulder presents a lecture by Kris Mitchener on August 27, 2019, "Western Finance, Eastern Development?" In this free public lecture, Mitchener will explore how finance can be used to build coalitions in support of “best practice” reforms. He discusses how technocrats in early Meiji Japan borrowed western financial institutions to organize banks and secure support for a reformist economic and political agenda. They endowed likely opponents of the reformist agenda with bonds (claims that only paid off with the success of the government) and that could be used as capital to start banks. Mitchener will provide evidence that the creation of these banks led to local economic development.The lecture starts at 5:30 PM in Eaton Humanities room 250.
About the Series
The Benson Center promotes critical reflection on the distinctive traditions and political perspectives that characterize Western civilization. It encourages residents of Colorado and the United States to more fully understand and appreciate their past, their future and a free and creative American society within an international environment. This year’s Benson Center lecture series expands on the Benson Center’s 2019-20 theme, American Identities. For more information, please visit the website, https://www.colorado.edu/center/benson/.
About the Speaker
Kris Mitchener is the Robert and Susan Finocchio Professor of Economics at Santa Clara University, Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and the Centre for Competitive Advantage and the Global Economy (CAGE), and Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) and CESifo.A leading expert on the history of financial crises, his research focuses on economic history, international economics, macroeconomics, and political economy. Mitchener isa candidate for the Benson Center Endowed Chair position.
Students, faculty, and members of the public are encouraged to attend the free public lecture, which will be followed by a Q&A session and reception. Preregistration recommended but not required. Please register for this event via Eventbrite.