Around 60 alumni and friends gathered at Zunfthaus zu Meisen, in Zurich, for a fascinating history lesson delivered by Prof. Tobias Straumann, a tenured professor of economic history at the University of Zurich, who is well known in Switzerland for his newspaper columns and television appearances.
Prof. Straumann stressed that the world has faces many serious economic challenges in the past 150 years. While geopolitical tensions, inflation, and interest rate hikes are making life difficult for many today, Prof. Straumann reminded us that the 1870s, the 1930s, and the 1970s were even worse. However, periods of multiple severe crises are very rare, he noted, and, with the exception of the 1930s, government leaders have always been able to find solutions and guide society back to the path of prosperity. As a result, he supports an approach of active government intervention in difficult times, combined with less red tape for businesses.
As usual, INSEAD alumni were eager to engage in discussion with the speaker and each other during the networking drinks.
Speaker
Tobias Straumann, University of Zurich