Fiscal Meltdown in the Eurozone

While the global economic crisis has had dire effects in the United States, it has hit some European countries – notably Ireland, Greece, Spain, and to a lesser extent, Italy—even harder. In efforts to shore up their economies and keep the crisis from spreading, the governments of those countries have imposed severe restrictions on workers’ wages, pensions and benefits. In response, millions have carried out massive strikes and street demonstrations.

Without the austerity measures, might France and Germany, Europe’s economic leaders, also be swept over the cliff into massive bankruptcy? Could the same thing happen to the United States? What alternatives are being proposed by European workers, students and public employees?

The October 25 forum will explore these questions, focusing on several countries where anti-austerity resistance is being met with brutal repression.