For two years, Greece has been dictated an austerity by the EU, the ECB and the IMF which is - by now - unique in its extent. The dismantling of democratic and social rights, a shrinking economic volume by almost a quarter, and the demolition of social structures, existing norms and social cohesion are the consequences. A policy which primarily secures the interests of investors, increases government debt and has thrown broad levels of the population into poverty. Media images of "lazy, fraudulent, tax-evading Greeks" and a failed, not reformable state have legitimized this kind of policy in the eyes of many. Greece is a test case for the restructuring of Europe and the reinterpretation of the European social model. Therefore the output of the social struggles in Greece will be of concern for whole Europe.
Zissis Papadimitriou of the University of Thessaloniki and the social historian Karl Heinz Roth from Bremen will speak on the topic of "Dismantling of democracy, deprivation and social disintegration: The Euro Crisis and Greece, structural context and aftermath".
The talks are moderated by Maria Kontos (Frankfurt Institute for Social Research, ifs) and Bruno Schoch (PRIF).
The event takes place on 24 April at 6 pm on the Westend Campus, Room NG 1741 A. Please note that the talks will be given in German.
The evening is jointly organized by PRIF and the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research, ifs.