Recent international tensions have brought the twentieth century Cold War battle of ideas back into the public consciousness, including via films such as Oppenheimer. But the Cold War was not only fought by militaries, politicians and scientists. Behind the scenes, a group of economists clashed over economic theory and ideologies, with far-reaching real-world effects up until the present day, including in New Zealand.

This topic will be discussed by Alan Bollard, who has published a new book Economists in the Cold War, by Oxford University Press. Dr Bollard’s talk will be discussed by Malcolm McKinnon, with an audience Q and A chaired by Roberto Rabel.

This event launches the ‘International History Series’, jointly run by the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and Centre for Strategic Studies at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. The event series considers the history of international relations, politics and diplomacy in the twentieth century and how this affects strategic, foreign policy and security issues in the present day, including for New Zealand.

Keynote speaker: Dr Alan Bollard, Professor of Practice at the School of Government, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.

Event chair: Emeritus Professor Roberto Rabel, Professorial Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Studies and Life Member and Hon Vice-President of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

Discussant: Dr Malcolm McKinnon, Adjunct Associate Professor, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.

Contact the host of How Cold War economists shaped the modern world