63: Economics, Politics and Emotions with Andrés Bernal

In this fascinating discussion, Andrés shares his expertise on
economics and money and how policy and politics are created.
Andrés challenges the 'taken-for-granted' assumptions that
underpin economics and money, he shines the light of emotions
onto the topic;  or what in psychoanalysis we call the
libidinal economy i.e. the underpinning unconscious and emotional
drivers that shape political and economic choices. 

 
Andrés shares his view that not only neo-liberal conservatives
are attached to the status quo, and argues that many progressives
and those on the political left also get caught up in these
normative economic and political 'myths'. Radical political
agendas are undermined by ideas like "we must stick to the fiscal
rules" and "we cannot borrow our way out of this mess". 
Post second world war construction of the National health service
and welfare state in the UK, showed how political will can
deliver change when a country is most economically challenged;
the same happened in the Covid Pandemic financial crash when all
the rules changed to accommodate radical financial policies to
keep businesses afloat. Simon and Andrés discuss class and
identity politics, the rise of populism and how we need to bring
care back into our political and social way of thinking. 
  

In this wide-ranging discussion, we explore the interconnections
between our unconscious and emotional lives, economics, politics
and money. 

Enjoy this powerful podcast! 


Bio
Andrés Bernal is a lecturer in urban studies at the City
University of New York and a Research Fellow with the Global
Institute for Sustainable Prosperity. His focus is on the
bridging of theory and practice for fostering equitable and
sustainable social systems including researching and advocating
for policies like the Green New Deal in the United States. He is
a former policy advisor for congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio
Cortez and co-host of the podcast, Funny Money.