Series Presenting Sponsor:

MONDAY, MAY 18 2009

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY - SPRING 2009 SERIES
PART III

The Ascent and Descent of Money

Niall Ferguson, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History and William Ziegler Professor of Business Administration, Harvard University

In the third of the three-part public program series on the global economy, Niall Ferguson will examine the credit meltdown and current economic crisis in historical perspective. Ferguson observes that sooner or later every bubble bursts – sooner or later bearish sellers outnumber bullish buyers – sooner or later greed flips into fear. He argues that the evolution of credit and debt was vital in the rise of civilization, from ancient Babylon to the silver mines of Bolivia, pointing to the role of banks in financing the splendors of the Italian Renaissance and the decisive role of the bond market in conflicts from the Seven Years’ War to the American Civil War. At this final program in the series, Ferguson will reflect on how today’s difficulties fit into the long-term development of the global economy.

Niall Ferguson is the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University and William Ziegler Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He is also a senior research fellow at Jesus College, Oxford University, and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. A prolific commentator on contemporary politics and economics, Ferguson writes regularly for the British and American press. Among his many notable books are The War of the World, Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power, and Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire. His latest book, The Ascent of Money, will be available for purchase and signing at the program.

Generous series support provided by HSBC - North America.

Additional Material:

• Niall Ferguson, "Beyond the Age of Leverage: Alternative Cures for the Global Financial Crisis," GLG Global Investment Management
• Niall Ferguson, "The Axis of Upheaval," Foreign Policy
• Niall Ferguson, “An Imaginary retrospective of 2009,” Financial Times
• Niall Ferguson, “Keynes can't help us now," Los Angeles Times

Ritz-Carlton Chicago
160 East Pearson
Chicago, IL 60611

5:30 p.m. Cash bar reception
6:00 p.m. Presentation and discussion
7:15 p.m. Cash bar reception and book signing

Young Professional Members $10
Members $20
Nonmembers $30
President’s Circle, Corporate Members, and Student Members complimentary

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