In this presentation prof. Hausner would like to consider whether it is possible to find a way out of the global megacrisis by turning towards culture. In practical terms, this orientation would be meant to lead to the reconstruction and opening up of the space that is public, communal, and autonomous with regard to what is private and individualized and to what is national, universal, and generalized. And, as a further consequence, this would lead to the emergence of social actors capable of triggering an institutional change that would create the framework for a new policy of development.

Recently it is apparent how narrow and destructive it is to reduce culture to a particular type of economic activity, namely creative industries. Instead of narrow-mindedly reducing culture to a single part of the economy, we should look at the economy as a culture. Only then will we find a path leading from culture to development – both for individuals and the society at large. And only then will we correctly interpret the relationship between civilization and culture, recognizing that the economy, in order to develop and benefit the society, must be both civilization and culture. Therefore, questions about meaning and ethics must not be pushed out of its scope, leaving behind only the issue of efficiency.

The lecture was held during the 6th Heritage Forum of Central Europe.

Jerzy Hausner – Professor of Economic Sciences, chairman of the Open Eyes Economy Summit Program Council and GAP Foundation Council, former deputy prime minister responsible for economic issues and minister of economy, labour and social policy, member of the Monetary Policy Council (2010-2016), member of the High Level Industrial Roundtable „Industry 2030”.