Debate to focus on government, economic inequality

“Government has no place in reducing economic inequality” is the thesis that will be addressed during a town hall debate on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. The event will be held in the La Sala Ballroom at ASU’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix. It is free and open to the public; visitor parking on campus costs $2 per hour.

Arguing in favor of the thesis are Dean Martin and William Boyes. Martin is a business owner, Arizona’s former state treasurer and a former state legislator. Martin predicted the “great recession” and earned more than $1 billion in profits from investments for taxpayers despite the abysmal economy. Boyes is an emeritus professor of economics in ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business who has authored numerous publications and received multiple awards, including the CASE Outstanding ASU Professor, the John Teets Outstanding Graduate Teacher and the Huizingh Distinguished Undergraduate Professor. He also served as consultant to a number of institutions including the Commerce Department for the White House, the Federal Trade Commission and Arizona Corporation Commission.

Dana Naimark and Lane Kenworthy will argue in favor of government’s role in reducing economic inequality. In her role as president and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, Naimark conducts analysis, works to raise awareness, and lobbies the Arizona legislature on a wide variety of policy issues affecting parents and children. Kenworthy is a professor of sociology and political science at the University of Arizona who has written extensively on the causes and consequences of issues including living standards, poverty, mobility, employment, social policy, taxes and politics.

The town hall debate will be moderated by Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez, Latin affairs reporter for KJZZ/National Public Radio Arizona.

The event is part of the ThinK (Tuesdays here in the Kiva) series presented by ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, the core college on the West campus. The Oct. 2 debate is sponsored by New College’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

“The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is committed to engagement of civil discourse and conversation intended to enhance understanding of critical issues,” said Amit Ron, a political scientist and assistant professor. “As the election approaches, we are pleased to offer the public the chance to hear a thoughtful debate about the proper role of government in our society.”

For more information about this and other ThinK events during the fall semester, visit http://newcollege.asu.edu/think or contact Heidi Maxwell at (602) 543-4521 or heidi.maxwell@asu.edu.