Yanis Varoufakis
Global Economist & Political Reformer | Bestselling Author of 'Adults in the Room'
About
When Europe's financial crisis threatened to unravel Greece's economy, Yanis Varoufakis became the unexpected global voice challenging international financial orthodoxy. As Greece's controversial Finance Minister in 2015, he negotiated high-stakes economic reforms that captured worldwide attention.
An academic economist with deep scholarly credentials, Varoufakis founded MeRA25, a progressive political movement advocating for democratic transformation in Europe. His provocative critiques of global capitalism and institutional power structures offer audiences profound insights into economic policy, political resistance, and systemic change.
Talks1
Capitalism will eat democracy -- unless we speak up
Have you wondered why politicians aren't what they used to be, why governments seem unable to solve real problems? Economist Yanis Varoufakis, the former Minister of Finance for Greece, says that it's because you can be in politics today but not be in power -- because real power now belongs to those who control the economy. He believes that the mega-rich and corporations are cannibalizing the political sphere, causing financial crisis. In this talk, hear his dream for a world in which capital and labor no longer struggle against each other, "one that is simultaneously libertarian, Marxist and Keynesian."
At a Glance
Is this you?
Claim this profile to edit your bio, add talks, and get verified.
Know a talk we're missing?
Get in Touch
Save for Later
Frequently Appeared With
Speakers who have appeared at the same events
Aaron Horowitz
Co-Founder & CEO, Sproutel | Designing Therapeutic Robots for Children
1 shared event · TED
Aaron Maniam
Government Advisor | Navigating the Future of Work
1 shared event · TED
Aaswath Raman
Renewable Energy Researcher | Pioneering Space-Based Cooling Technologies
1 shared event · TED
Abe Davis
Video Technology Researcher | Revealing Hidden Properties Through Advanced Imaging
1 shared event · TED
Abha Dawesar
Fiction Author | Navigating the Digital Age
1 shared event · TED
Abigail Disney
Workers' Rights Advocate | Champion of Workplace Dignity and Fair Labor Practices
1 shared event · TED
Abigail Marsh
Researcher | Exploring the Psychology Behind Human Altruism
1 shared event · TED
Abigail Washburn
Musician | Bridging Folk and Global Sounds
1 shared event · TED
Similar Speakers
Related by topic and shared stages
Rich Benjamin
Sociologist | 'Whitopia' Author & Racial Integration Advocate
Both at TED 2015
Wael Ghonim
Digital Activist | Connecting Humanity Through the Internet
Both at TED 2015
Gary Haugen
Founder, International Justice Mission | Tackling Global Violence Against the Poor
Both at TED 2015
Victor Rios
Sociologist | Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Incarceration
Both at TED 2015