Noted author-economist to speak

British economist John Maynard Keynes coined the term “animal spirits” to describe the gloom leading to the Great Depression.

In the book “Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy, and Why It Matters for Global Capitalism,” author and economist George Akerlof shows how Reagonomics, Thatcherism and the rational expectations revolution failed to account for human psychology. Akerlof also asserts that it’s a necessity for government to take an active role in economics.

Akerlof is presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, along with the Elliott Bay Book Co., starting at 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle.

Tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800-838-3006, and at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. March 23. For more information, visit www.townhallseattle.org.

Herald staff