This past summer, George Lakey published Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got It Right — and How We Can, Too. The result of many years of research and writing, the book tells the stories of how the Scandinavian countries changed their class-divided and exploitative political and economic systems into societies regularly scoring the highest ratings in terms of the happiness and fulfillment of their citizens. In clear and conversational prose, he debunks many of the myths that cause people to dismiss the relevance of these stories to our situation in the United States. He encourages us to consider the success of mass social movements in bringing about fundamental change here. Enjoying widespread critical acclaim, the book is already in its second printing.

In our First Monday forum, George will share insights from his research and writing and respond to our questions about how we can use the Scandinavian models to create the kind of moral political economy that puts people’s welfare first and benefits the whole society in terms of health, security, and happiness.

Leader(s)

George Lakey has led 1,500 workshops on five continents, taught at colleges (most recently, Swarthmore), led activist projects on local, state, and national levels, and authored eight books on social change, peace, and liberation pedagogy. He’s been executive director of nonprofits and an organizational consultant. He is co-author of Grassroots and Nonprofit Leadership: A Guide for Organizations in Changing Times and writes weekly columns for wagingnonviolence.org. He is a member of Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting.

Travel directions to Pendle Hill. Click to view the flyer.