Pessimism and the State of the World

Why are people in some of the richest countries in the world so miserable when so much of the economic and social data show massive material progress? Where did all that anger and anxiety come from that is manifested in populism, terrorism, and worsening well-being and mental health? Are we, despite the massive gains in material progress in recent decades, living in an age of insecurity?

Minouche Shafik is Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Prior to this she was Deputy Governor of the Bank of England.

Andrés Velasco (@AndresVelasco) is the inaugural Dean of the new School of Public Policy. He was the Minister of Finance in Chile between 2006 and 2010 and held professorial roles at the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia University´s School of International and Public Affairs. He has advised governments around the world and formulated policy at the highest levels.

Peter Trubowitz (@ptrubowitz) is Department Head of International Relations and Director of the US Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Associate Fellow at Chatham House, Royal Institute of International Affairs.

Twitter hashtags for this event: #LSEFestival #NewWorldDisorders

This event is part of the running from Monday 25 February to Saturday 2 March 2019, with a series of events exploring how social science can tackle global problems.

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LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.