George Soros: Open Society, the Financial Crisis, and the Way Ahead
Open Society Chair and Founder George Soros shares his latest thinking on economics and politics in a five-part lecture series recorded at Central European University, October 26–30, 2009. The lectures are the culmination of a lifetime of practical and philosophical reflection.
Soros discusses his general theory of reflexivity and its application to financial markets, providing insights into the recent financial crisis. The third and fourth lectures examine the concept of open society, which has guided Soros’s global philanthropy, as well as the potential for conflict between capitalism and open society. The closing lecture focuses on the way ahead, examining the increasingly important economic and political role that China will play in the future.
Introduction
This short video provides an overview of the five-part series of lectures by George Soros, discussing his latest thinking on economics and politics.
General Theory of Reflexivity
George Soros presents the fundamentals of his guiding philosophy, beginning with historical understandings of objective reality, scientific inquiry, and the limits of human perception.
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Q&A
Moderator: Colin McGinn
Videoconference with the London School of Economics
Videoconference moderator: Mary Kaldor
Financial Markets
George Soros discusses bubbles and the recent financial crisis in detail, testing his theory of reflexivity against major financial events.
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Q&A
Moderator: Anatole Kaletsky
Videoconference with Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Videoconference moderator: Ricardo Caballero
Open Society
George Soros discusses the concept of open society, which guides his philanthropy and is central to his political and social thinking.
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Q&A
Moderator: Ivan Krastev
Videoconference with Columbia University
Videoconference moderator: Rob Garris
Capitalism vs. Open Society
George Soros uses contemporary economic and political examples to challenge market fundamentalism while presenting ideas for protecting the public good more effectively.
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Q&A
Moderator: Mark Danner
Videoconference with Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Videoconference moderator: Pei Sun
The Way Ahead
Turning his attention to the future, George Soros focuses on the increasingly important role that China is likely to play on the world stage.
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Q&A
Moderator: Howard Davies
Videoconference with Hong Kong University
Videoconference moderator: Rusty Todd
Discussant: Cristovam Buarque
