Ideas worth spreading

Why do we blame individuals for economic crises?

1,662,291 views |

Liene Ozoliņa |

TEDxRiga

• November 2019

In 2008, the global financial crisis decimated Latvia. As unemployment skyrocketed, the government slashed public funding and raised taxes, while providing relief to the wealthy and large businesses -- all without backlash or protest from struggling citizens. Sociologist Liene Ozoliņa examines how Latvian officials convinced their people to accept responsibility for the country's failing economy -- and highlights the rise of similar social policies upholding inequality worldwide.

In 2008, the global financial crisis decimated Latvia. As unemployment skyrocketed, the government slashed public funding and raised taxes, while providing relief to the wealthy and large businesses -- all without backlash or protest from struggling citizens. Sociologist Liene Ozoliņa examines how Latvian officials convinced their people to accept responsibility for the country's failing economy -- and highlights the rise of similar social policies upholding inequality worldwide.

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About the speaker

Liene Ozoliņa

Political sociologist

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Liene Ozoliņa teaches sociology and researches post-socialist politics and culture.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxRiga, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.