Policy in the Pub

ESA Policy in the Pub

Adam Smith turns 300...Why he matters for economists.

This year economists around the world are celebrating the 300^th anniversary of the birth of Adam Smith.  In these days when economists don’t read much that was published more than a few years ago, why should we care about a wig wearing, probably Aspergers suffering Scot who published a book entitled the Wealth of Nations a very long time ago? After all, is he really a player in contemporary economic policy debates? But yet he and his book have formed all of us who call ourselves economists.  This ESA Policy in the Pub discussion will consider who Smith was, what he wrote, and why it matters today.

Paul Oslington is Professor of Economics and Theology at Alphacrucis University College, the national college of the Pentecostal movement in Australia.  He left the respectable University world to join the College in 2013 as inaugural Dean of Business to develop the new Faculty and led the development of College’s PhD program. As well as professorial positions at UNSW and ACU he held visiting fellowships at University of Oxford, University of British Columbia and Princeton Theological Seminary and University.  His PhD in Economics and Master of Economics/Econometrics with Honours were completed at the University of Sydney, and Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Theology through University of Divinity, Melbourne. His research interests are international trade and labour markets, the history of economic thought, and relationships between economics and religion.  His book  include The Theory of International Trade and Unemployment, Economics and Religion, A Mathematics Primer for Students of Economics and Business Administration,  Adam Smith as Theologian, Oxford Handbook of Economics and Christianity,  Political Economy as Natural Theology: Smith Malthus and their Followers, as well articles in leading economics and intellectual history journals. He currently supervises PhD students working in the history of economics, and the interdisciplinary field of economics and theology.  He has been involved in the Economic Society for many years, including a term as Vice President (Academic) and organising the Society’s national conference.

Details

Date & Time: Thursday 27th April 6pm

Venue: The Glenmore Hotel, 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks 2000

Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members (members should login prior to booking). Food and drinks available to buy at own cost.

Disclaimer: The Economic Society of Australia promotes discussion of evidence-based work.  The views and opinions expressed here are those of author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Economic Society of Australia (NSW Branch) or its council members.