Mercurius Society

2009-04-01T15:46:00.000+01:00

Creating a Self-Confident Voice for the Business
Community & Linking Like-Minded Leaders

Photos: London Event

2009-03-04T13:01:00.000Z

A few photos are now available from the recent London event on The Financial Crisis. Please see this link for the photos & the previous post for information about the event.

Conference: Financial Crisis, State vs. Market

2009-03-03T15:39:00.001Z

20 May 2009

Financial Crisis: State vs. Market Failure?

from 2:00pm

Please join us for a half-day conference and reception held by the Austrian Economics Center in cooperation with the Mercurius Society. The topic of the event will be the financial crisis, and is being held as part of the 2009 Free Market Roadshow (for more information about the Road Show click here).

For more information about this event, please click here

Participation in the event is free of charge

Please note: To attend, you must RSVP to:

registration@hayek-institut.at

Event: Reception in Kiev

2009-03-02T00:02:00.009Z

27 March 09

Kiev Reception,
"Why Nationalization and More Government Intervention
are not the Solution: A Rational Agenda at a Time of Crisis"
with the Atlas Economic Research Foundation

Featuring a presentation by:
Dr. Tom Palmer
General Director of the Atlas Global Initiative for Free Trade, Peace and Prosperity
and comments by:
Peter Kaznacheev
International Director of the Mercurius Society

Politicians and some pundits insist that the origins of the 2008 crisis were in the lack of regulation and have called for nationalization and greater command-and-control regulation. Before prescribing remedies, however, it’s best to diagnose the causes of the financial crisis and then to identify remedies based on sound understanding of economic processes. The reception in Kiev addressed these issues with a public lecture and inaugural reception of the Mercurius Society in Kiev.

please read more about the Atlas Foundation Global Initiative here
photos from the evening can be found here
information about the evening can be found here in Russian
information about the evening can be found here in Ukrainian

Free Trade Petition

2009-03-01T15:35:00.000Z

The Cato Institute and the Atlas Foundation will unveil their Petition for Free Trade today, just before the G20 meetings in London. "It is a part of a much broader campaign that will be mobilized around the world to alert the public to the dangers of attempts to block trade and to revive positive efforts toward increasing freedom of trade". We encourage you to read the entire petition here and circulate it to those who support efforts to stop economic nationalism.

(It is now available in over 30 languages)

excerpt:

The specter of protectionism is rising. It is always a dangerous and foolish policy, but it is especially dangerous at a time of economic crisis, when it threatens to damage the world economy. Protectionism’s peculiar premise is that national prosperity is increased when government grants monopoly power to domestic producers. As centuries of economic reasoning, historical experience, and empirical studies have repeatedly shown, that premise is dead wrong. Protectionism creates poverty, not prosperity. Protectionism doesn’t even “protect” domestic jobs or industries; it destroys them, by harming export industries and industries that rely on imports to make their goods. Raising the local prices of steel by “protecting” local steel companies just raises the cost of producing cars and the many other goods made with steel. Protectionism is a fool’s game.

But the fact that protectionism destroys wealth is not its worst consequence. Protectionism destroys peace. That is justification enough for all people of good will, all friends of civilization, to speak out loudly and forcefully against economic nationalism, an ideology of conflict, based on ignorance and carried into practice by protectionism.

Event: Islam and Democracy

2009-02-18T12:30:00.003Z

11 March 2009

Islam and Liberal Democracy: How Muslims Can Combine the Two

6:30-8pm

Please join us for a presentation by Dr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi, author of Who Needs an Islamic State? and comments by Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Director General of the Malaysia Think Tank and Head of Policy at the Conservative Muslim Forum.

The presentations will be followed by a discussion with the speakers. Those wishing to continue the discussion in an informal setting can do so over dinner at the same venue right after the reception.

Copies of Who Needs an Islamic State? will be available for purchase at the event.

If you are interested in attending,

please email us at mercurius@mercuriussociety.com

Participation fee charged at the door: £10

and Wan Saiful Wan Jan here...

The Cato Institute's Ad

2009-02-01T13:33:00.005Z

With all due respect Mr. President, that is not true.

In response to President Barack Obama's statement on January 9th that "there is no disagreement that we need action by our government, a recovery plan that will help jumpstart the economy", The Cato Institute organized an ad in opposition which appeared in The New York Times. The statement was signed by hundreds of prominent scholars and notable economists, including several Nobel laureates. The ad statement reads as follows:

Notwithstanding reports that all economists are now Keynesians and that we all support a big increase in the burden of government, we the undersigned do not believe that more government spending is a way to improve economic performance. More government spending by Hoover and Roosevelt did not pull the United States economy out of the Great Depression in the 1930s. More government spending did not solve Japan's "lost decade" in the 1990s. As such, it is a triumph of hope over experience to believe that more government spending will help the U.S. today. To improve the economy, policymakers should focus on reforms that remove impediments to work, saving, investment and production. Lower tax rates and a reduction in the burden of government are the best ways of using fiscal policy to boost growth.

To see The Cato Institute's full ad, please click here

To read more from The Cato Institute please click here

Inaugural Meeting, Moscow

2009-01-15T13:36:00.005Z

12 January 2009

Mercurius Society Inaugural Meeting in Moscow

Dukat-Plaza Business Centre | 7.30 PM

The Mercurius inaugural meeting was attended by people representing major Russian and international private sector players: banks, a law firm, a real estate company, an oil company, a rating agency, as well as think tanks and academia. The discussion was held over dinner and was dedicated to the following topic: "Promoting Free Market Ideas in Contemporary Russia: How to Approach the Business Community". Peter Kaznacheev kicked off the discussion by explaining the purpose of the Mercurius Society and giving a quick review of its previous meetings. Participants of the meeting thought that the Mercurius model would be quite attractive for those in the business community who favour free markets and individual liberty. It was agreed to hold bi-monthly dinner discussions in Moscow with prominent speakers.

London Reception

2008-12-31T04:15:00.004Z

03 December 08

London Reception, "The Financial Crisis, A Market View"
Park Lane Mews Hotel, Mayfair | 7:00pm

In this time of economic turbulence, there is a popular perception that the financial crisis was caused by lack of regulation. A forum dedicated to this topic with distinguished economists was organized together with the Cato institute in London on 3 December 2008, featuring presentations by Tim Congdon, William Niskanen, and Andrei Illarionov. The event was attended by economists, shadow government advisors, heads of think-tanks, and others interested in deepening their understanding of the current financial situation. The presentation and question and answer session was followed by a dinner and discussion.

The Mercurius Society will continue to support efforts to identify principles for a forward agenda based on sound market policies.

Inaugural Meeting, Berlin

2008-12-31T03:53:00.003Z

05 December 08
Mercurius Society Inaugural Meeting in Berlin
Lutter and Wegner Restaurant, Gendarmenmarkt | 7:00pm

The inaugural event in Berlin was hosted by The Institute for Free Enterprise (Institut für Unternehmerische Freiheit). The keynote speaker of the evening was Peter Kaznacheev, and Wolfgang Müller (Geschäftsfuhrer/Director, IUF-Berlin) led the discussion.

Please find information about the IUF-Berlin at this website: www.iuf-berlin.org

Inaugural Meeting, Zagreb

2008-12-31T03:48:00.005Z

21 November 2008
Mercurius Society Inaugural Meeting in Zagreb
Esplanade Hotel, Zagreb | 7:00pm

The inaugural meeting of the Mercurius Society in Zagreb was organized by Dr. Oliver Knipping. Peter Kaznacheev, one of Mercurius Society’s original founders, gave a short introduction on the Society before delivering a brief statement on the topic: "The Invisible Hand of Putin, Gas Supply-Demand in Europe, the Free Market, and the Role of Russia".

Currently, Peter is Commercial Advisor for BP Russia and Central Asia Business Development. From 2003-06, he was a Senior Advisor and Assistant Group of Eight (G8) Sherpa in the Administration of the Russian President. He worked with Andrei Illarionov, former Chief Economic Aid to the Russian President and personal representative of the Russian President to the G8. He received a BA and PhD in Political Philosophy from Moscow State University, and a Master’s degree in International Relations and International Economics from Johns Hopkins University.

Populist Ideologies Event

2008-12-31T02:38:00.001Z

30 April 2008
Populist Ideologies in the Era of Globalization in Iran

Our discussion this time will follow an important political development: parliamentary elections in Iran which took place on March 14. With 190 of the 290 seats declared, the balance of power inside Iran grew more volatile. 90 per cent of the liberal opposition candidates had been banned by the Guardian Council. Although conservatives will dominate the parliament, but supporters and critics of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won roughly equal representation in the Mejlis. As the second round of voting is due April 25, the president is making radical statements characterizing 9/11 a US conspiracy. Iran is not the only one to embark on a global populist agenda; the two other most prominent leaders are Hugo Chávez and Vladimir Putin. And populism is not the only element these leaders have in common. Oil and loyal personal networks within the establishment (whether military, religious, or secret police) are the two crucial pillars of their regimes. This discussion will be our second one to explore the topic of “Populist ideology in the era of globalization,” the theme that was first raised in our previous meeting with Andrei Illarionov and Vladimir Bukovskiy in relationship to Russia’s politics after the presidential elections.

Andrei Illarionov Event

2008-12-31T02:12:00.002Z

12 March 2008
Presentation dedicated to the Presidential Elections in Russia

The presentation with keynote speaker Andrei Illarionov, Senior fellow at the Cato Institute, will be dedicated to the presidential elections in Russia (March 2nd), and the end of Putin’s presidential term. This discussion was the first to explore the broader topic of “Anti-capitalist ideology in the era of globalization,” a theme which we hope to discuss in our future meetings.

Matthew Elliot Event

2008-12-31T01:20:00.002Z

November 27, 2007
Tax Reform and Tax Competition: How Much Government do We Need?
London

Matthew Elliott, CEO and one of the founders of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, a UK group advocating taxpayers’ interests and lowering the tax burden, spoke on the issue of competitive tax policies in the era of globalization and the size of government. His talk was followed by a general discussion.

As pre-election fever in the UK is on the raise, a key issue fuelling the political debate is tax reform. The opposition and the government are making promises to review the highly unpopular inheritance tax (a.k.a. the “death tax”). However, these proposals will be offset by increased taxation of the wealth-generating businesses and employees, including proposals of tax hikes on private equity and foreign employees.

Please read more about the event here...

Johann Norberg Event

2008-12-31T01:10:00.002Z

20 September 2007
Private Enterprise, Not Aid, Will End Poverty
London

Johan Norberg, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and author of In Defense of Global Capitalism, spoke at the London event on the topic of promoting development to alleviate poverty. Following dinner, he kicked off the discussion with some thoughts on the role of private enterprise in alleviating poverty. A general discussion followed.

Please find a brief synopsis of the topic and more about Johan Norberg here...

Our Strategy

2008-12-31T01:02:00.002Z

Advocates of free markets have established well coordinated networks of think-tanks, and various online and offline resources focusing on governments, intergovernmental bodies, academics, NGOs, and the media. Remarkably, wide-spread guilt and misunderstanding paralyse many of those who work in the market itself: entrepreneurs and corporate managers.

The Mercurius Society:
- Creates and amplifies a self-confident voice for
the pro-market business community;
- Establishes a financial base for local free-market
activities among local sources;
- Provides opportunities for business people to extend their networks;
- Links the private sector with free-market leaders from think-tanks,
politics, academia and the media.

Mission & Moral Code

2008-12-31T00:53:00.002Z

Our “Moral Code”

“We produced the wealth of the world – but we let our enemies write its moral code… By accepting punishment, not for any sins, but for our virtues, we betrayed our code and made theirs possible”. Those are the words of a fictional character, the business leader Francisco d’Anconia in the novel Atlas Shrugged. The situation they describe, however, is no fiction. At a time when the spread of market institutions and free trade has resulted in a world that is arguably freer and certainly wealthier than ever before, we should heed the warnings of the novelist Ayn Rand, as expressed by her character. Freedom and prosperity are at risk if we fail to defend the morality of creation and honest trading in the market.

Our Mission: Supporting Free Enterprise

Opponents of free markets dominate debates worldwide. From proponents of global government to radical protectionists, there is now more talk and more movement in an anti-market direction than at any time since the fall of the Berlin wall. The mission of the Mercurius Society is to strengthen support for free enterprise; enlist business leaders into the free market community; and encourage them to take pride in their role as the creators of prosperity.

Upcoming Events

2008-12-31T00:53:00.001Z

list

Mercurius International

2008-12-31T00:41:00.009Z

The Society was launched in London in September 2007. Since its establishment, the Society has brought together young business leaders and entrepreneurs for topical discussions with high-profile guest speakers. Mercurius Societies have been formed in other cities in Europe. The Society seeks to link those in the private sector who share the concepts of limited government and individual liberty with their counterparts in think-tanks, politics, academia and the media. The mission of the Mercurius Society is to strengthen support for free enterprise; enlist business leaders into the free market community; and encourage them to take pride in their role as the creators of prosperity.

Mercurius Berlin
Inaugural Meeting: December 5, 2008
In cooperation with: Wolfgang Müller, Executive Director
Institut für Unternehmerische Freiheit/Institute for Free Enterprise
Berlin, Germany

Mercurius Zagreb
Inaugural Meeting: 21 November 2008
In cooperation with: Dr. Oliver Knipping

Mercurius Moscow

Mercurius Society Inaugural Meeting in Moscow

12 January 2009 | Dukat-Plaza Business Centre | 7.30 PM

The Mercurius inaugural meeting was attended by people representing major Russian and international private sector players: banks, a law firm, a real estate company, an oil company, a rating agency, as well as think tanks and academia. The discussion was held over dinner and was dedicated to the following topic: "Promoting Free Market Ideas in Contemporary Russia: How to Approach the Business Community". Peter Kaznacheev kicked off the discussion by explaining the purpose of the Mercurius Society and giving a quick review of its previous meetings. Participants of the meeting thought that the Mercurius model would be quite attractive for those in the business community who favour free markets and individual liberty. It was agreed to hold bimonthly dinner discussions in Moscow with prominent speakers.

Открытие Общества Меркуриус в Москве

12 января 2009. бизнес-центр "Дукат-Плаза". 19:30

В первой встрече Общества Меркуриус приняли участие представители ведущих российских и международных бизнес-структур: банков, юридической компании, консалтинговой компании по недвижимости, рейтингового агентства, и нефтяной компании, а также представители исследовательских центров и институтов. Встреча проходила в форме дискуссии за ужином, посвященном следующей теме: "Распространение идей свободного рынка в современной России: оптимальный формат для бизнес-сообщества". Основатель и директор Общества Меркуриус Петр Казначеев рассказал о целях проекта и о предыдущих встречах в разных странах мира. Участники встречи согласились с тем, что модель, предлагаемая Обществом Меркуриус, является приемлемой для тех представителей бизнес-сообщества, которые придерживаются идей свободного рынка и индивидуальной свободы. Было решено проводить встречи Меркуриус в Москве один раз в два месяца с участием известного докладчика, выступающего на актуальную тему.

Об Обществе Меркуриус

Меркуриус (Mercurius Society) - это дискусионное общество, основанное в Лондоне в сентябре 2007 г. Его задача - создать дискусионное пространство для тех, кому близки идеи свободного рынка, индивидуальной свободы и ограниченного государства. Отличительная особенность общества Меркуриус в том, что его основной аудиторией являются представители частного сектора - сотрудники корпораций, консультанты и предприниматели. За полтора года мы провели целый ряд встреч, в каждой из которых принимал участие известный гость. Успех встреч, которые мы провели в Лондоне, привлек внимание наших единомышленников в других странах. Теперь филиалы общества действуют в Москве, Берлине, Загребе, готовится создание подразделений еще в нескольких европейских странах.

Mercurius Kiev
Mercurius Society Inaugural Meeting in Kiev
27 March 2009
In cooperation with: The Atlas Foundation

Багато політиків і коментаторів наполягають, що витоки сучасної фінансової кризи в нібито недостатньому регулюванні економіки. Для вирішення проблеми вони закликають до масованої націоналізації та посилення командно-адміністративного регулювання. Але перш ніж говорити про те, що знайдено панацею для подолання кризи, необхідно розібратися в її витоках. Під час презентації і подальшої дискусії ми обговоримо причини фінансової кризи та можливі кроки задля її подолання.

Name and Logo

2008-12-31T00:36:00.001Z

Mercury (“Mercurius” in Latin) was the Roman god of trade, commerce, profit, and entrepreneurial success. Most of his characteristics were borrowed from the analogous Greek deity, Hermes. Mercurius is related to the Latin word merx ("merchandise"), the origin of words such as merchant and commerce. The Mercurius Society is committed to free markets, free trade, and entrepreneurial creativity. The Society’s motto, Libertas Prosperitatis, means “Freedom to Prosper”.

Our Activity

2008-12-30T23:53:00.004Z

May 20, 2009

Financial Crisis: State vs. Market

Event with the Austrian Economics Center

March 27, 2009

A Rational Agenda at a Time of Crisis

Event in Kiev with Atlas Economic Research Foundation

March 11, 2009

Islam and Democracy

Event with Dr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi

January 12, 2oo9
Moscow Inaugural Meeting
Promoting Free Ideas in Contemporary Russia

December 3, 2008
The Financial Crisis: A Market View
London Reception with Tim Congdon, Andrei Illarionov, and William Niskanen

December 5, 2008
Berlin Inaugural Meeting
In cooperation with IUF-Berlin

November 21, 2008
Zagreb Inaugural Meeting
In cooperation with Oliver Knipping

April 30, 2008
Populist Ideologies in an Era of Globalization in Iran

March 12, 2008
On the Presidential Elections in Russia
Event with Andrei Illarionov

November 27, 2007
Tax Reform and Tax Competition
Event with Matthew Elliot

September 20, 2007
Private Enterprise, Not Aid, Will End Poverty
Event with Johan Norberg

Contact Information

2008-12-30T23:34:00.000Z

If you are interested in participating in Mercurius Society events or would like to start a Society in your city or country, you can contact us at mercurius{at}mercuriussociety.com

Photo

2008-12-30T23:32:00.000Z

Please check here for photos from our meetings and events.
See also the link to our flickr page in the left hand column.

About Us

2008-12-29T15:04:00.001Z

Name and Logo

What We Do

We create platforms for real-life discussions.

The Internet is an efficient and low-cost means to promote the ideas and the policies of individual liberty and economic freedom among audiences around the world. However, for achieving long-term results it is essential to complement online activities with real-life (“offline”) initiatives that build a core of supporters who know each other personally. Regular discussions held in an informal setting provide a good opportunity for like-minded people to stay in touch, to introduce friends and business partners to the network, and to generate sustained financial support and leadership for the movement for freedom.

We counter hostility to the free market

By educating and strengthening commitments to freedom among core local groups of supporters. Arguing in favour of economic liberalization and limited government at a time of financial crisis has become an uphill battle. There is growing support for increased government interference. In both developed and developing countries the temptation to increase government control over the economy is driving them towards more nationalization and command-and-control regulation.

We establish self-reliant local financial bases for other initiatives.

Gaining local sponsorship support on the ground is critical for achieving long-lasting results. The Mercurius Society introduces businesspeople to think tanks and other initiatives they could support. More importantly, a real-life society that brings those think tank leaders together with business leaders to discuss critical issues has an ability to make potential donors feel involved, appreciated, and engaged. It is also highly important from an image prospective for, as reliance on overseas grants is often perceived with suspicion and criticism in many countries.

We globalise and franchise our model.

Since its establishment in September 2007 (initially under the name Shaftesbury Avenue Society), the Society has held topical discussions with high-profile guest speakers in London, the city of its origin. Mercurius Societies have been formed in other cities in Europe (Berlin, Zagreb and Moscow). The Mercurius Society’s business plan focuses on providing a reliable brand and franchising it and the basic model to self-reliant local groups. The various Mercurius Societies are linked in an international network.

Conference cont'd

2008-05-18T15:46:00.000+01:00

13:30 - 14:00 Registration

14:00 - 14:15 Welcome: H.E. Dr. Gabriele Matzner-Holzer, Austrian Ambassador

Introduction: Barbara Kolm, Hayek Institut

14:15 - 15:30 Panel 1: "Austrian Economics, the Business Cycle and the Roots

of the Financial Crisis"

Moderator: Julian Morris, IPN

Key note: David. B. Smith, Univ. of Derby, Chairman of the Shadow Monetary Policy Committee

Podium: Peter Kaznacheev, Mercurius Society

Barbara Kolm, AEC, Hayek Institut

Richard Rahn, Institute f. Global Economic Growth

15: 30 -16:40 Panel 2: "Creative Destruction and Economic Scenarios for the Future"

Moderator: Julian Morris, IPN

Key note: Allister Heath, Editor City AM

Podium: Matthew Elliott, Taxpayers Alliance

David Shaw, Sabrelance Corp.

Markus Weigl, Superfund

17:00 Cocktails

17:30 Key note followed by discussion: Richard Rahn, Institute for Global Economic Growth

"Financial Crisis: State or Market Failure?"

Atlas Global Initiative

2008-04-23T00:32:00.000+01:00

About Atlas Global Initiative

http://atlasnetwork.org/globalinitiative/

The Atlas Global Initiative for Free Trade, Peace and Prosperity works around the globe to promote the ideas and policies of liberty. The Initiative helps facilitate a worldwide network across disparate countries that advances aspirations for individual liberty, freedom of association, freedom of trade, limited government, the rule of law, and peace. Through its network it supports the publication and distribution of books, promotion of Internet content, syndication of articles through the press, creative use of new media, organization of teaching seminars and policy conferences, and more. The Initiative coordinates programs in ten major languages and many subsidiary projects working together across linguistic, cultural, and regional contexts. It is a division of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation.

Kiev invite in Russian

2008-04-23T00:28:00.000+01:00

Приглшаем Вас принять участие в приеме, организованном
Фондом Экономических Исследований «Атлант»
при содействии Общества Меркуриус

в пятницу 27 марта 2009 г. в 19:30

На тему:
«Рыночная экономика и экономический кризис. Почему национализация и усиленное вмешательство государства не ведут к преодолению кризиса»

выступит
Том Палмер
Генеральный директор Глобальной Инициативы Фонда «Атлант»
в поддержку свободной торговли, мира и экономического процветания

с комментариями выступит
Петр Казначеев
Международный директор Общества Меркуриус

Многие политики и комментаторы настаивают, что истоки нынешнего финансового кризиса в якобы недостаточном регулировании экономики. В качестве решения проблемы они призывают к массированной национализации и усилению командно-административного регулирования. Но прежде, чем говорить о том, что найдена панацея для преодоления кризиса, необходимо разобраться в его истоках. В ходе данной презентации и последующей за ней дискуссии мы обсудим причины финансового кризиса и возможные шаги по его преодолению.

О Глобальной Инициативе Фонда «Атлант»
(Atlas Global Initiative http://atlasnetwork.org/globalinitiative/ ). Глобальная Инициатива Фонда «Атлант» в поддержку свободной торговли, мира и экономического процветания реализует проекты по всему миру, направленные на укрепление принципов индивидуальной свободы, ограниченного государства, свободы собраний, верховенства права, свободы торговли и мира. Посредством сети филиалов и ассоциированных организаций Глобальная Инициатива поддерживает целый ряд образовательных и информационный направлений: развивает Интернет проекты на десяти ведущих языках мира, издает и распространяет книги, публикует статьи в печатных СМИ и онлайн-медиа ресурсах, проводит семинары и конференции в разных странах и т. д. Глобальная Инициатива является подразделением Фонда Экономических Исследований «Атлант».

Об Обществе Меркуриус.
Меркуриус (Mercurius Society www.MercuriusSociety.com) - это дискусионное общество для тех, кому близки идеи свободного рынка, индивидуальной свободы и ограниченного государства. Отличительная особенность Общества в том, что его основной аудиторией являются представители частного сектора - сотрудники корпораций, консультанты, предприниматели. Его главная задача - популяризовать идею свободного предпринимательства и привлечь людей бизнеса в интеллектуальное сообщество за свободный рынок. Со времени своего основания в 2007 в Лондоне, Общество Меркуриус провело целый ряд встреч, в каждой из которых принимал участие известный выступающий. В настоящее время филиалы Общества действуют в нескольких городах Европы; все они объдинены в международную сеть. Готовится создание подразделений еще в нескольких городах мира.

kiev invite in ukrainian

2008-04-23T00:20:00.000+01:00

Запрошуємо Вас взяти участь у прийнятті, організованому
Фондом Економічних Досліджень «Атлант»
за сприяння Товариства Меркуріус

у п’ятницю 27 березня 2009 р. о 19.30
за адресою: м. Київ, вул. Воздвиженська, 60а
готель «Воздвиженський»
Hа тему

«Ринкова економіка і економічна криза.
Чому націоналізація та посилене втручання держави не сприяють подоланню кризи»

виступатиме
Том Палмер
Генеральний директор Глобальної ініціативи Фонду «Атлант»
на підтримку вільної торгівлі, миру та економічного процвітання

з коментарями виступатиме
Петро Казначеєв
Міжнародний директор Товариства Меркуріус

Просимо підтвердити свою участь в заході, відповівши на цей e-mail.
Контактний телефон +380674414133; email: o_yarema@ukr.net - Олександр Ярема

Багато політиків і коментаторів наполягають, що витоки сучасної фінансової кризи в нібито недостатньому регулюванні економіки. Для вирішення проблеми вони закликають до масованої націоналізації та посилення командно-адміністративного регулювання. Але перш ніж говорити про те, що знайдено панацею для подолання кризи, необхідно розібратися в її витоках. Під час презентації і подальшої дискусії ми обговоримо причини фінансової кризи та можливі кроки задля її подолання.

Про Глобальну Ініціативу Фонду «Атлант»
(Atlas Global Initiative http://atlasnetwork.org/globalinitiative/ ). Глобальна Ініціатива Фонду «Атлант» на підтримку вільної торгівлі, миру та економічного процвітання реалізує проекти по всьому світу, спрямовані на зміцнення принципів індивідуальної свободи, обмеженої держави, свободи зібрань, верховенства права, свободи торгівлі та миру. За допомогою мережі філіалів та асоційованих організацій Глобальна Ініціатива підтримує цілу низку освітніх та інформаційних напрямків: розвиває Інтернет проекти на десяти провідних світових мовах, видає й розповсюджує книги, публікує статті в друкованих ЗМІ та онлайн-медіа ресурсах, проводить семінари та конференції в різних країнах і т.д. Глобальна Ініціатива є підрозділом Фонду Економічних досліджень «Атлант».

Про Товариство Меркуріус
Меркуріус (Mercurius Society www.MercuriusSociety.com) – це дискусійне товариство для тих, кому близькі ідеї вільного ринку, індивідуальної свободи та обмеженої держави. Особлива відмінність Товариства в тому, що його головною аудиторією є представники приватного сектору – співробітники корпорацій, консультанти, підприємці. Головне завдання Товариства – популяризувати ідею вільного підприємництва і залучити людей бізнесу в інтелектуальне співтовариство за вільний ринок. З часу свого заснування в 2007 році в Лондоні, Товариство Меркуріус провело цілу низку зустрічей, в кожній з яких брав участь відомий доповідач. На сьогодні філіали Товариства діють в декількох містах Європи; вони всі об’єднані в міжнародну мережу. Планується створення підрозділів ще в декількох містах світу.

Islam event cont'd...

2008-02-19T13:01:00.001Z

Dr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi argues for a liberal democracy - one in which the citizens are able to actualise Islamic values into a new more viable democratic model. For El-Affendi, "the central value governing the Islamic polity and giving it meaning is freedom".

More information about El-Affendi can be found here. El-Affendi is Senior Lecturer at the Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster, London, and co-ordinator of the Centre's Democracy and Islam Programme. El-Affendi was the 2006 winner of the Muslim News Allama Iqbal Award for Creativity in Islamic Thought. Educated at the Universities of Khartoum (Sudan), Wales, and Reading, Dr. El-Affendi is the author of several books and multiple publications which were translated into Arabic, Malay and Turkish.

Wan Saiful Wan Jan argues: "As a Muslim, I am strongly against dictatorship or centralisation of power. Islam as a religion does not have a centralised religious authority, preferring instead to empower believers to make decisions for themselves and trusting them to seek knowledge in order to make informed decisions... Denying individuals their freedom to choose is robbing them of an important gift from God - the ability to think and make choices." Wan Saiful Wan Jan is the Director General of the Malaysia Think Tank and Head of Policy for the Conservative Muslim Forum. He is also Editor of www.WauBebas.org- the first free market project in the Malay language, run as a partnership between the Malaysia Think Tank and Cato Institute.

Johan Norberg Event Cont'd

2007-01-18T23:41:00.000Z

A Brief Synopsis of the Topic:
Governments of wealthy countries send money to governments of poorer countries on the premise that such “aid” is necessary to promote development. Yet, after sixty odd years and more than $1 trillion thus spent, there is little evidence that it has done much good. But it has certainly done some harm – crowding out the private sector and undermining democratic accountability. Nevertheless, rock star economists, self-serving “development” charities and populist politicians campaign for increased “aid” spending.

But it doesn’t have to be like this. Fifty years ago South Korea was poorer than many Sub-Saharan countries. Now, following decades of rapid growth, its population has risen out of poverty. Likewise, Singapore, Hong Kong, and, more recently, China and India. A few African countries, notably Botswana and Mauritius, have also done rather well by focusing on enterprise.

About Johan Norberg

Johan Norberg is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a writer who focuses on globalization, entrepreneurship, and individual liberty. Norberg is the author and editor of several books exploring liberal themes, including a history of liberal pioneers in Swedish history. His book In Defense of Global Capitalism, originally published in Swedish in 2001, has since been published in over twenty different countries. Norberg’s articles and opinion pieces appear regularly in both Swedish and international newspapers, and he is a regular commentator and contributor on television and radio around the world discussing globalization and free trade. His personal website is http://www.johannorberg.net/

Matthew Elliot Event Cont'd

2007-01-18T23:33:00.001Z

Illarionov Event Cont'd

2007-01-18T17:37:00.000Z

In a few days, Russia will start its transition under the rule of Dmitry Medvedev, the protégé and closest ally of the outgoing president. Former Putin advisor Andrei Illarionov will present his views on Russia’s political and economic model, which he characterizes as “corporativist capitalism.” The term refers to the centralization of control over the commanding heights of the economy and the political process by those close to Vladimir Putin.

Andrei Illarionov is one of Russia 's most forceful advocates of an open society and a free market, and one of Putin's most vocal and uncompromising critics. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington DC, and Director of the Institute of Economic Analysis in Moscow. His views on Putin’s economic and political model can be found in his most recent interview with Radio Free Europe For a more detailed critical analysis you can read this presentation.

Andrei Illarionov, is widely known in Russia and abroad for his sharp, comprehensive and often unexpected analyses of Russian economic policies and comparative economic development. When Russia embarked on economic reforms in 1992, Illarionov joined the team of “young reformers” and became deputy director of the Centre for Economic Reform, the Russian government’s think tank.

In 1993-1994 he worked as chief economic advisor to Viktor Chernomyrdin, then the prime minister of Russia. He resigned to protest changes in the government’s economic policy. In 1994 Illarionov founded the Institute of Economic Analysis and became its director. In April 2000 he was invited to serve as chief economic advisor to the newly elected Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and served in that capacity until December 2005. From May 2000 to January 2005 he was also Mr Putin’s personal representative (or “Sherpa”) to the Group of Eight. Under his leadership, Russia became a full-fledged member of the G-8 in 2002.

Dr Illarionov has co-authored several programmes for Russian governments and has written three books and over 300 articles on Russian economic and social policies. After completing his undergraduate degree in the Department of Economics at St Petersburg University (SPU) in 1983, he completed a PhD at the same institution in 1987, with a dissertation comparing government finance in developed nations. He also studied economics in Austria, the United Kingdom and the United States.

London Reception cont'd

2007-01-17T22:30:00.000Z

London Reception: The Financial Crisis, A Market View

Arguing in favour of economic liberalization and limited government has lately become an uphill battle. Populists talk about 'redefining capitalism' and socialists around the world are excitedly dusting off their copies of Marx’s Kapital. Politicians and pundits insist that the origins of the 2008 crisis were in the lack of regulation. That has led to growing support for increased government interference. In both developed and developing countries the temptation to increase government control over the economy is driving them towards more nationalization and command-and-control regulation. In order to explain the policy causes of the financial crisis the Mercurius Society has launched a discussion entitled The Financial Crisis: a Market View.

Featuring presentations by
Tim Congdon
Founder of Lombard Street Research Ltd,
Former member of the Treasury Panel
of Independent Forecasters(the “Wise Men”)

William Niskanen (via teleconference)
former acting chairman of President Reagan's Council of Economic Advisers,
chairman emeritus and a distinguished senior economist at the Cato Institute

Andrei Illarionov (via teleconference)
Former economic advisor to President Vladimir Putin,
Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute

In this time of economic turbulence there is a popular perception that there is a popular perception that the crisis was caused by the lack of regulation. Therefore politicians around the world are looking for solutions that rely on increased government interference. The immediate consequence of such an approach was the massive bailout of a significant share of the financial industry. In both developed and developing countries the temptation to increase government control over the economy may drive them towards even more nationalization. The longer-term consequences are hard to predict but there is already talk in Europe about 'redefining capitalism'. At such a time, arguing in favour of economic liberalization and limited government is an uphill battle. There are lessons to be learned. It is important to explain the policy causes of the financial crisis (such as monetary policy fuelled asset bubbles and the securitization of subprime mortgages by Government Sponsored Enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and identify principles for a forward agenda based on sound market principles. With our speakers we will examine the financial crisis from three perspectives:

UK - Tim Congdon
US -William Niskanen
Russia - Andrei Illarionov