News Release
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March 20, 2006
Nobel Prize-winning Economist Speaks April 12 at Boise State
as Part of Distinguished Lecture Series
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Joseph Stiglitz |
Joseph Stiglitz, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics and bestselling
author of "Globalization and Its Discontents," will speak at 7 p.m. on
Wednesday, April 12, in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom at Boise State
University as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series.
Stiglitz's lecture, "The Economics of Information," is free and the public
is invited. No tickets are being issued. Seating is limited and is available
on a first-come basis. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Stiglitz is credited with helping to create a new branch of economics that
explores what happens when information isn't uniformly distributed between
different market participants - the classic example being the used car
salesman who sells a "lemon" to an unsuspecting buyer. Stiglitz's work has
helped explain the circumstances in which competitive markets do not work
well, and how selective government intervention can improve market
performance.
Stiglitz has been in the news recently after he and Harvard University
colleague Linda Bilmes presented a paper at the January meeting of the
American Economic Association estimating that the likely cost of the war in
Iraq would be between $1 trillion and $2 trillion, much higher than
previously estimated.
"Dr. Stiglitz is widely regarded as one of the best economic minds of his
generation, with a unique ability to express complex ideas in clear,
compelling ways," said Helen Lojek, chair of the Distinguished Lecture
Series Committee. "He continues to make important contributions that help
inform contemporary debates. We are very pleased to bring him to Boise
State as part of our lecture series."
Stiglitz was a member of the Council of Economic Advisers from 1993-95,
during the Clinton Administration, and served as council chair from 1995-97.
He then became chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank
from 1997-2000. He has taught at Princeton, Stanford, MIT and Oxford, and is
presently a professor at Columbia University.
Stiglitz's "Globalization and its Discontents," offers a critical look at
the role international monetary institutions have played in the issues
facing developing nations. It has been translated into 31 languages since
its publication in 2001. The latest of his well-received books, "Fair Trade
For All," offers a challenging and controversial argument about how
globalization can actually help Third World countries to develop and
prosper. Stiglitz is also the author of "The Roaring Nineties," an analysis
of the boom and bust of the 1990s, and other books.
The student-funded Distinguished Lecture Series brings to Boise State
speakers who have had a major impact in politics, the arts, science,
business or in another realm of contemporary significance. On Oct. 10, the
series will present Jonathan Kozol, a public education advocate and winner
of the National Book Award for "Death at an Early Age."
Former speakers in the series include investigative journalist Seymour Hersh,
religion historian and author Karen Armstrong, biologist E.O. Wilson, former
president of Ireland Mary Robinson, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former
president of Poland Lech Walesa, hostage negotiator Terry Waite, and others.
More information on the series is at
http://news.boisestate.edu/dls.
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Contact: Helen Lojek, College of Arts and Sciences, (208) 426-1414,
hlojek@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Janelle Brown, University Communications, (208)
426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu
Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in
Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190
undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within
eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise
State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and
public service.
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Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007