Raj Patel (1/6/10)

Raj Patel

Author, Stuffed and Starved and The Value of Nothing: How to Reshape Market Society and Redefine Democracy

If economics is about choices, who gets to make them? Activist and academic Patel says that prices often mislead us, and he reveals the "hidden costs" of goods. To demonstrate his argument that the free market and corporations distort price and value, Patel suggests that the true price of a hamburger would be $200 if we factor in the hidden environment and health costs. He offers a controversial critique of our present political system and argues that to understand our current economic crisis, we need to rethink our very meaning of democracy by rebalancing society and limiting markets.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• commonwealth club
• raj patel
• economics
• markets

[tetsuwangatomu]

He is very intelligent !!

[o10ciano]

full of Character!!!

[Atheeizm]

Great stuff.

Although i have to say 20:45 ...Eddie izzard lol.

[Oen713]

@jorisewout Yup, sad but true.

[jorisewout]

@Oen713 If you mean to say that it is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting I totally agree with you.

[jorisewout]

I disagree with Mr. Patel on everything were he is in favor of giving too much power and responsibility to the masses. The masses can pretty stupid, so not a good idea. But more economic regulation and human basic rights (minimum wage, basic health care) are mandatory if we want to keep up our life standard and a peaceful future.

[jorisewout]

"corporations behave to follow the rules and we set the rules"

[Oen713]

@jorisewout no no... im not. but what I said is true. SELF ignorance is safer than knowing the truth and people have become compliant. Just an (if possible) objective opinion.

[jorisewout]

@Oen713 Sad to hear that you think that. You might be deprived of empathy but that does not mean we all are.