“Another world – with what money?” – Lecture and discussion with the economist Dr. Dirk Ehnts in Eupen

On Saturday, 29 March 2025, Attac DG, Miteinander Teilen and IKOB Eupen invite you to a lecture by economist and money expert Dr. Dirk Ehnts at 7:30 p.m. The event will focus on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). This is an economic approach that looks at the role of the state, central banks and public finances in a new light.

MMT puts the functioning of the monetary system at the center of its analysis. There is a lot of discussion in this country about savings at the moment. The new government of Prime Minister Bart De Wever in the Belgian region of Arizona is making cutbacks in many areas, including pensions, social benefits, education, culture and health. There is no alternative to austerity, they keep saying. The MMT disagrees: austerity is unnecessary and hinders economic development and socio-ecological transformation. However, the state must regain control of money.

While the majority of economists assume that government spending should be financed by taxes, MMT takes a fundamentally different approach. The nature of money and government debt is fundamentally misunderstood. All government spending would be financed by money creation.

Dr. Dirk Ehnts, a leading representative and explainer of MMT in German-speaking countries, will explain the main features of this theory in his lecture and show its significance for economic policy and social development. He will explain how a better understanding of money creation and government spending can lead to more effective economic policy. In doing so, he will address key questions that often cause confusion in public discourse: Where does money actually come from? Does the state have to save like a private household? What possibilities arise for a socially just and sustainable economic policy?

Modern Monetary Theory has caused a stir in recent years, particularly in the context of economic challenges such as inflation, national debt and social inequality. The MMT argues that sovereign states with their own currency cannot go broke because they can always create new money. The decisive factor is not the budget deficit itself, but the extent to which government spending can stabilize the economy, promote full employment and rectify social injustices.

The lecture is aimed at anyone who is interested in economics, politics and society and who wants to better understand the mechanisms behind money, debt and government spending. After the lecture, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation.

The event with Dr. Dirk Ehnts will take place at IKOB (Rotenberg 12/B) in Eupen. Admission is free and registration is not required.

On Saturday, 29 March 2025, Attac DG, Miteinander Teilen and IKOB Eupen invite you to a lecture by economist and money expert Dr. Dirk Ehnts at 7:30 p.m. The event will focus on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). This is an economic approach that looks at the role of the state, central banks and public finances in a new light.

MMT puts the functioning of the monetary system at the center of its analysis. There is a lot of discussion in this country about savings at the moment. The new government of Prime Minister Bart De Wever in the Belgian region of Arizona is making cutbacks in many areas, including pensions, social benefits, education, culture and health. There is no alternative to austerity, they keep saying. The MMT disagrees: austerity is unnecessary and hinders economic development and socio-ecological transformation. However, the state must regain control of money.

While the majority of economists assume that government spending should be financed by taxes, MMT takes a fundamentally different approach. The nature of money and government debt is fundamentally misunderstood. All government spending would be financed by money creation.

Dr. Dirk Ehnts, a leading representative and explainer of MMT in German-speaking countries, will explain the main features of this theory in his lecture and show its significance for economic policy and social development. He will explain how a better understanding of money creation and government spending can lead to more effective economic policy. In doing so, he will address key questions that often cause confusion in public discourse: Where does money actually come from? Does the state have to save like a private household? What possibilities arise for a socially just and sustainable economic policy?

Modern Monetary Theory has caused a stir in recent years, particularly in the context of economic challenges such as inflation, national debt and social inequality. The MMT argues that sovereign states with their own currency cannot go broke because they can always create new money. The decisive factor is not the budget deficit itself, but the extent to which government spending can stabilize the economy, promote full employment and rectify social injustices.