Inaugural UK Modern Monetary Theory Conference on July 15-17, 2024 in Leeds, United Kingdom

The Gower Initiative for Modern Money Studies is delighted to announce the inaugural UK Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) Conference to be held at The University of Leeds from July 15 to 17, 2024.

This groundbreaking event will feature Warren Mosler, author of ‘Soft Currency Economics’ (1993), the publication of which became the basis for what has become popularised as Modern Monetary Theory. Warren will be our special guest and the first-day keynote speaker, and will attend all three days, participating and providing critical analysis in multiple sessions. 

Call for Papers:

Scholars, researchers, and practitioners are invited to submit papers on themes consistent with MMT understanding of economic thought with a particular emphasis on critical reviews of Warren Mosler’s economic insights and published work available to view via Mosler Economics.

First day

The first day of the conference will be dedicated to papers reviewing and critically engaging with Mosler’s extensive body of work. Suggested topics for critical evaluation are:

    Price anchor theory and its history

    Ramifications of modelling of the currency as a public monopoly

    Zero interest rate policy (ZIRP)

    Interest rate policy dynamics as related to the level of public debt and international trade

    Real terms of trade and employment policy

    Full employment and price stability

    Critical analysis of the differences between inflation as academically defined and price increases

    Exchange rate policy and employment

    Bank regulation and public purpose

    The role of and options for taxation.

Second day

The second day of the conference welcomes academic papers that align with MMT principles on a broader spectrum. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

    Taxing authority, unemployment and fiscal policy

    The role of central banks

    The dynamics of floating vs fixed exchange rates in a multi-currency world

    The source of the price level, and consequences of changes in the price level

    Sustaining full employment under real resource constraints

    Financial regulations and public purpose

    The Truss budget and LDI scandal from an MMT viewpoint

Abstracts of 300 to 600 words for both critical evaluations of Mosler’s work and general MMT-consistent papers should be submitted by March 1, 2024.

Third Day – Practical Application of MMT to Real-World Policies:

The third day of the conference shifts focus to the practical application of MMT insights to real-world policies. This day is designed to be inclusive of diverse disciplines. We warmly invite contributors to engage in workshops and breakout sessions, fostering collaborative discussions on matters pivotal to contemporary challenges. Some key areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

    Energy self-sufficiency, sustainability and productivity

    Analysis of the real resource constraints on the NHS

    Questions surrounding and proposals regarding housing availability and affordability

    Defining and achieving productivity and investment

    Analysis of the political engagement of MMT

Further suggestions for workshops, short presentations and breakout sessions should be submitted by March 1, 2024.

This inclusive day is a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration, where diverse perspectives can converge to explore how MMT understandings can contribute practically to addressing the pressing challenges of our time. Join us in shaping a dialogue that bridges the theoretical foundations of MMT with the tangible applications needed to drive meaningful change.