Intelligence Squared - Obama is right to bash the bankers

Main image for the briefing: Obama is right to bash the bankers

Already a premium member?

Join IQ² to read this debate

Obama is right to bash the bankers

President Obama has announced a major reform of the US banking system which will set a limit on a bank’s size, force deposit-taking banks to divest themselves of any hedge funds or private equity funds they may own, and ban them from any subsequent speculative activities. He also wants to impose a levy on large financial firms: the riskier the activities of the bank, the larger the levy.

But is it based on sound economic thinking, or is it a piece of populist flim flam, at best a waste of paper, at worst positively dangerous for America and the world economy?

Share this debate

Season tickets

Season tickets are £100 each and include one ticket and a glass of wine for all five debates in our autumn 2010 series

Vegetarian debate

Buy tickets for 'Don't eat animals' on December 9, featuring Peter Singer, Heather Mills, Paul Levy and Julian Baggini

What's new on IQ²

See all of the latest IQ² content on one page, including written debates, live debates, and talks from our partners

Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth, author of the best-selling Eat, Pray, Love, will talk about her life and writing at this exclusive IQ² event on September 15

IQ² Magazine

This week, The Magazine brings you both sides of the story on the legalisation of cocaine, plus debates on philanthrocapitalism and Iran

See the magazine

Copyright 2010 Intelligence 2 Ltd | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | User Guidelines | Goodies