On Thursday, April 13 at 12:30 pm, the University of Maine Socialist and Marxist Studies Speaker Series presents a talk by Guy Standing (Professor, Economist, SOAS University of London of Philosophy) titled “The Blue Commons: Combating Rentier Capitalism in the Sea.”

(Zoom link https://maine.zoom.us/j/3657262020)

Guy Standing, Professor, Economist, SOAS University of London of Philosophy

Guy Standing is one of the world’s leading progressive economists. In his new book, The Blue Commons, he submits that in the past 50 years, the sea has been subject to the greatest enclosure in history, which has led to the most extensive privatization with the grip of global finance involved in highly profitable rent-seeking activities. We have a green politics, but not a blue politics. The blue commons have been plundered. This is ecologically and economically catastrophic. Guy Standing proposes a progressive strategy that would revive the blue commons, reverse environmental decay, and reduce inequalities while giving commoners basic economic security.

The Spring 2023 Socialist and Marxist Studies Series is sponsored by the Marxist and Socialist Studies Minor, co-sponsored by Maine Peace Action Comm. (MPAC) and Division of Student Affairs, with support of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Dept. of Philosophy. Speakers do not necessarily present socialist or Marxist viewpoints. For additional information, contact Doug Allen at dallen@maine.edu.