Summer University 2023

Why join us in Aix-en-Provence for the 2023 Summer University in Political Economy? let us give you a taste!

As our societies seem to move from one crisis to another - private and public finance crises, military crises, environmental crises and, of course, Covid - the search for good crisis management will be at the centre of our discussions. Together we will examine recent history, the roles played by governments and experts, but also what has been the result of private initiative. Despite the many failures of centralised and state responses to these numerous crises, many are calling for a 'great reset' that would involve the establishment of a 'new order' largely dominated by national and supranational Leviathans. We will examine the chances of success of these proposals as well as those of other modes of management, more respectful of freedom, dignity and individual responsibility, notably through subsidiarity.

To this end, the summer university will bring together twenty eminent researchers in economics (such as Professor Mario Rizzo from New York University), philosophy (such as Professor David Schmidtz), history (such as Dr Steve Davies from The Institute of Economic Affairs in London), and law (such as Professor Jean-Philippe Feldman of the University of Rennes and Sciences Po). They will share their analyses with participants of all ages and backgrounds. All this, of course, in the sunny, informal and musical atmosphere of Aix-en-Provence.

The Summer University will open on Thursday 20 July with a dinner, followed by two full days of discussions, and will close with a gala dinner on Saturday 22 July.

The Summer University was regularly hosted by the city and university of Aix-en-Provence between 1978 and the late 2010s. It quickly established itself as the meeting place of choice for outstanding professors and participants from all over the world, all of whom share a real passion for the ideas of freedom and democracy. IES-Europe has been involved in the organisation of this gathering since 1989, helping students and young academics to join the event. In 2023, after several years of hiatus, IES-Europe and IREF are delighted to contribute to the renewal of this conference. The Center for the Philosophy of Freedom (University of Arizona) and Epicenter have joined us as partners.

IREF offers 25 scholarships of 150 euros for students to participate in the conference (the scholarship can be used to pay registration fees or for travel expenses). The scholarship is paid upon presentation of the transportation ticket to join the conference. Students who wish to apply for the scholarship should send a motivated letter (in French or in English) at: su@ies-europe.org no later than May 30th.

For any question please email us at su@ies-europe.org!