Multispecies economic justice: property in focus 2022

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Conceptions of 'property' in the European enlightenment tradition were interconnected with the colonial and settler colonial projects of dispossession, theft and resource extraction.

Forms of 'possessive' liberal individualism arguably shape contemporary political demands and the way individuals see themselves and their rights. Property is central to the capitalist economic system, which is defined by the subsumption of almost everything as 'property', production processes which lead to the expansion and mass accumulation of commodities for surplus, and the fundamentally unequal distribution of property. Property is arguably at the core of our global environmental crises, which have placed the survival of the planetary systems which support life in antagonistic relation with the private property rights of the few.

Arguably, decades of neoliberal restructuring and the decline of labour and progressive social movements have prevented active conversations on the place of property within our economies. However, recent movements against colonialism, capitalism and environmental devastation have created unique opportunities to consider how property can be redistributed or socially shared in the interests of justice and the flourishing of life.

This seminar brings together a panel of experts in a conversation to consider the place of property within the economies and societies we need to build together in the future.

Speakers

• Associate Professor Rosemary-Claire Collard, Simon Fraser University

• Associate Professor Jessica Dempsey, University of British Columbia

• Dr Christine Winter, University of Otago

• Dr Rebecca Pearse, Australian National University

• Associate Professor Dinesh Wadiwel, University of Sydney