Karl on Piketty and Cagé

Meet the Thinkers: Thomas Piketty & Julia Cagé on 10 January 2024
Une histoire du conflit politique - Elections et inégalités sociales en France, 1789-2022 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A conversation with Karl van den Broeck, programmer of talks and debates at Bozar.

Hello Karl. Can you tell us what the book’s about?

The book is about elections in France, from the French Revolution to today. Piketty and Cagé examine the reasons why people in urban and rural areas vote for extreme parties. The main reason appears to be the economic insecurity people are in, which for the authors shows that left-wing parties are best at putting issues like purchasing power and economic security high on the agenda in elections.

Why did you like reading it?

Piketty and Cagé are both very thought-provoking scholars, also because they have a knack for expressing their opinions with great verve, and they’re always based on a huge amount of data and research. This is also what we want to do at Bozar: all the opinions you express must be based on facts about which we cannot disagree.

Why do we need to come to Bozar to see them?

Separately, they have already made a big impression, but now it is the first time the two of them are on stage together. Piketty is one of the most important economists of our time – he will win the Nobel Prize one day. Cagé is a very articulate and persuasive woman who has published mostly on media. It is a unique opportunity to meet them live.

Who would you recommend this book to?

It is not a book to read on the beach, as it is quite bulky and meaty. The talk, therefore, certainly adds value to the book. When Piketty and Cagé talk about it in their own words, it undoubtedly provides interesting insights.

How many stars would you give it?

*****
They are among the all-time greats within their category.