Europe beyond austerity: a discussion on how to restore innovation-fuelled growth

ISIGrowth Annual Conference, Brussels, 1-2 June 2016

A conference that brought together top macroeconomic experts with ISIGrowth researchers in order to discuss the project research findings on the consequences of Europe’s fiscal austerity and possible alternative solutions 

The Great Recession has hit European economies hard, triggering sovereign debt crises and threatening the very survival of the Euro area. The main policy response adopted by European governments has been fiscal austerity, incarnated in the Fiscal Compact. However, fiscal-consolidation policies do not appear to have been successful. Indeed, the GDP of European member states is still below its potential level and in some economies is even lower than pre-crisis output, while unemployment remains very high. Moreover, a growing inconsistency has emerged between fiscal rigour and the Europe 2020 objectives of transforming Europe into the most competitive economy in the world. Indeed, austerity policies could damage the innovative performance of Europe, reducing potential GDP and preventing the achievement of the Horizon 2020 objective of achieving smart inclusive sustainable growth.

CHECK HERE THE SLIDES OF SOME OF THE KEY SPEAKERS:

WP 6: Schumpeter meeting Keynes”, or not …? Innovation, demand creation and pattern of growth
Andrea Roventini

Mission Oriented investment Igniting (not assuming) animal spirits in Europe
Mariana Mazzucato

Models of the crisis and policy recipes for getting out of it
Alan Kirman


The Eurozone “Debt” Crisis. Another ‘Centre’-’Periphery’ Crisis Under Financial Globalisation?
Arturo O’Connell

ISIGROWTH MEETS CIVIL SOCIETY

CHECK HERE THE SLIDES OF SOME OF THE CAN MEMBERS: