The IEA will be hosting private panel discussion on The Road to Serfdom: Was Hayek Right? This will take place on Monday 22 May from 18:00 – 20:15 at the IEA offices and will be chaired by James Forder (IEA Academic and Research Director). Drinks will be served between 18:00 and 18:30.

Friedrich Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom argued that extensive state control over and planning of the economy posed a potential danger for political as well as economic freedom. The book, published towards the end of the Second World War, caused much controversy as it challenged the then widespread assumption that socialism and fascism were diametrical opposites.

Our event will examine as to whether Hayek’s thesis had validity at the time it was written or expressed an exaggerated fear. The panelists will proceed to discuss the possibility that there is a potential threat to our basic political liberties today and, if so, from where exactly that now emanates.

On the panel will be:

Dr Mark Pennington, Professor of Political Economy and Public Policy at Kings College London.

Inaya Folarin Iman, journalist, television presenter and Director of the Equiano Project.

Dr Kristian Niemietz, Head of Political Economy at the IEA.

Sherelle Jacobs, journalist and columnist at the Daily Telegraph.

The event will be chaired by Dr James Forder, Academic and Research Director at the IEA.

For more information or if you would like to attend, please contact dfreeman@iea.org.uk