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Can Europe collapse? And might America be next?

The enormous European debt crisis poses a major threat to the fragile global recovery.

Speakers

Monday, 30. January 2012, 18:15 – 20:00 h

At the University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zurich, KOL-G-201 (Aula)

Event Language: English

The enormous European debt crisis poses a major threat to the fragile global upturn: What happens in Europe today could spill over into America tomorrow. For example, while nobody was worried about Italy's huge debt just a few months ago, panic suddenly set in and Italy's borrowing costs exploded. As the USA prints its own money - which is not the case in Italy - it can either inflate or deflate its debt. From a foreign investor's perspective, this does not inspire much confidence and there may be a desire for compensation in the form of higher shares for the risk borne.

Speakers

Professor Niall Ferguson

British historian

Short Bio

Niall Ferguson is one of the best known and most respected historians of our time. He was a professor of history at Harvard University and has taught at Oxford University, Stanford University, and the London School of Economics and Political Science, among others. He is considered a specialist in financial, economic, and European history. His book on World War I published by DVA ("The Wrong War") was a great international success.

Overview of the SIAF speakers