Interview with Prof. Aristides N. Hatzis (University of Athens) at the 4th GPPF Chania Forum 2015

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• published: 02 Nov 2015
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FROM PROSPERITY TO AUSTERITY – FROM AUSTERITY TO PROSPERITY? The 4th Annual GPPF Chania Forum organised by the Greek Public Policy Forum took place on October 09 and 10, 2015, at the Κiani Beach Resort in Chania, Crete, thanks to the kind sponsorship of Decidendi Consultants, Europe Direct Region of Crete, and the solar systems company CALPAK S.A.. We also wish to thank the Hellenic Alumni Association of the London School of Economic, the Economic Chamber of Greece (Department of Western Crete), the ELIAMEP Crisis Observatory, and the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania for their support. Last but not least, we would like to thank Mr. Eleftherios Eleftheriadis (Audiovisual Pro: http://www.audio-visual-pro.com/index.php?id=company_audiovisual_pro_productions) for generously volunteering his services for the filming and photo coverage of the event and Ms. Odin Linardatou for conducting the interviews. The 4th Annual GPPF Chania Forum aimed at continuing the discussion we started four years ago on how Europe and its Member States are changing because of the crisis. During our 1st Annual Chania Forum in 2012, we tried to examine these questions from a multidisciplinary perspective, focusing on the comparative dimensions of the crisis and primarily the division between ‘North’ and ‘South’, the ‘core’ and the ‘periphery’. During the 2nd Annual Chania Forum in 2013, we focused on the supranational level and examined how, despite the rise of euroscepticism, extremism and populism, this crisis may be a catalyst for deeper political and economic integration. Our third meeting analysed and projected the impact of European Parliament elections on the integration process and assessed the overall level of ideological polarisation both across national parties and regions with secessionist tendencies (e.g., Scotland). We further delved into the political economy and legal issues pertaining to the design of fiscal and banking union. The aim of this year’s Forum was to take stock with the cumulative effects of the European debt crisis at the level of ideas, institutions, and actors. We discussed the economic rationale and political limits of austerity, as well as issues such as financial and political contagion in the context of the European debt crisis. As always our intention was to trigger a multidisciplinary interaction, focusing on the comparative dimensions of our chosen themes of discussion, while bearing in mind the persisting challenges in the intergovernmental relations between EU member states. The Greek Public Policy Forum (http://www.greekpublicpolicyforum.org) is an initiative led by Greek scholars from British Universities. Our aim is to establish a tribune for dialogue on public policy issues affecting Greece and Europe. Until now, we have organised a number of fora at the University of Oxford, the University of Nottingham, in Chania, as well as at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, tackling questions surrounding the crisis and its impact on Europe and its democratic foundations. We have also been running a research project on Greek constitutional reform in the aftermath of the crisis. Our next project will be aiming at fostering dialogue and generating new ideas and insights about the reform of the Greek judicial system. For the full programme of the workshop, its executive summary, and other related material, please visit our website at www.greekpublicpolicyforum.org, where you can also register.