When social policies fail in a time of economic crisis | Liene Ozoliņa | TEDxRiga

When the economic crisis of 2008 hit, communities around the world took to the streets, inspired by the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, to protest the social inequality of the recession. But Latvia, the second-hardest-hit country, was tranquil. Social policies put the responsibility on the unemployed individual, implying that they were at fault for their suffering. Dr. Liene Ozoliņa considers how social policies can bolster or break social connections. Liene Ozolina is a political sociologist who has written on post-socialist democratisation, neoliberalism, and politics of time. She holds a PhD in sociology from the London School of Economics, where she currently teaches sociology, and has also studied social theory at the University of Amsterdam and sociology and humanities at the Latvian Academy of Culture. Liene recently published her first book, “Politics of Waiting: Workfare, Post-Soviet Austerity, and Ethics of Freedom,” which examines the austerity regime that followed the 2008 global economic crisis. The book offers a sociological critique of the Latvian “success story”. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

8:05 Sounds a lot like our current regime in America. I do not understand why so many, even to the point of violence at times, so vigorously support their own oppressors.

[@johnjay2717]

AM: Could it be the Stockholm Syndrome? After being subjected to a great survival threat and extreme fear, the tormentor changes tactic and does one kind act. That makes the victim see hope and immediately grabs that opportunity for survival. Another form of that Syndrome in our current out-law administration imitating dictatorship in what is meant to be a democracy?

[@hiegstar]

You beat me to it, and I couldn’t concur more.

[@Diego-ys9tv]

Amazing speech. This sort of response to crises coming from political decisions has been increasingly popular in certain parts of Latin America as well. There, the part of the middle class that aspires to become a 'little bourgeoise'(a considerable share) sees social protests or basically demanding anything from the state at something that only 'poor' people do. I was aware of how intrinsically rooted the myth of meritocracy is in our Western societies(probably almost everywhere), but I didn't know that social assistance was also embodying it and treating global crises aiming at the individual. This sort of brainwashing also reminds me of the role that religion has in poor communities in Latin America as well. There low-income families coming from all backgrounds have the belief that they are poor 'because that's what God wants'(literally). We have to do all that is at our disposal to tackle the various systemized ways of repression currently present to achieve significant change. No matter how powerful elites might be, if we unite and fight together we can make things change for the common good (that's how it has always been). Remember, passiveness is also part of the problem, educate yourself, speak up, raise awareness, protest, by doing so you'll be fighting the establishment and been part of the solution. Stay strong and healthy.

[@anuhan4003]

Thanks For the speech

[@malikvlogs932]

It's really Stirring. Hats off

[@15iskandar]

Being a keep to myself person, accepting offers from others is my nature. When i have limited money, the word limitation is my only well wisher. Social for me means taking a gamble of mixing with someone new is already a blessing. Greetings to you.

[@panoskaranasios7848]

.....Yes! In Greece we do it better!......This video filmed last year, before corona virus. Now the world is different and economy is different and getting worse and worse and we are just in beginning. We haven't seen anything yet.

[@MandyJRoss]

Thank you so much for this upload! I absolutely love your channel! You have inspired me to go all in on my KZbin channel and media business this year! Keep rocking the YT airwaves and blessings to you from this new KZbinr!💕

[@MandyJRoss]

@Nom de Guerre God bless 🙏🏼

[@TaufiqueJoarder]

Appreciation from Bangladesh.

[@Liveordiebyinches]

Well done.

[@shinojvk1989]

Good speech

[@paolarodriguez8524]

Even though this is completely true for most of the countries, as a person who works hard you can't suddenly change social policies. All you can do is find a solution that works for you. Taking responsibility is not bad at all.

[@user-el7is9sp5k]

Great speech... your voice make it unique..

[@martycrow]

*Really excellent! I thought it was going in one direction and then it flipped.* I agree that in the absence of political will and public investment the ...(what shall we call them?)... have-nots, the poor, the disadvantaged, the sick, frail and vulnerable ... are treated with "smoke and mirrors". As Liene Ozoliņa says, talks and courses on "competitiveness" or "career kung fu" or "10 minutes meditation for a better life" ...or whatever. All that is fine, but it does not put food on the table nor does it allow for the anger needed for change. ("Oh, anger is such a negative emotion!"). The "inner engineering" stuff is fine if the "external realities" are secure enough. In the developed global north, the distribution of wages, wealth and social mobility have not significantly improved since the late 70s (if at all). Yet like 'wellbeing' we are all increasingly expected to take "responsibility" - to insure ourselves, to subscribe to something, to own the other thing, to "go private" ...and to "take care of yourself" because nobody else will. Regardless of Covid, the world in need of a reset. The button may not be located in Riga, Latvia.

[@rajamarpaung9279]

Could you put the English Subtittle TED ? I mean its help us for readering.

[@abdurrahimcevik3025]

Likeee ❤

[@waynesworldcoinsaustralia2640]

What can we do about this. How should I want

[@Rebatradicionesyalgomas...]

Buen día 👋. ¿Podría poner los subtítulos en español de favor?

[@Bcool.buddy1234]

Most of We Indians will agree that we never ever knew what unemployment benefit is apart from its book definition.

[@resurrectionx5952]

See the positive in negatives too 👍

[@liamhughes1532]

I've only known one person from Latvia and her surname was also Ozolina. is it as common as Smith is in the UK or Murphy in Ireland?

[@guna4452]

Liam Hughes yes it's very common! It means oaktree (in diminitive form)

[@liamhughes1532]

@@guna4452 Thats cool, thank you. Have a good weekend

[@PauloGarcia-sp5ws]

@@guna4452 wonder if the last name Tal is common either. Hehe, the Magician from Riga always played good chess.

[@mayflowerlash11]

Yes, some people would be better of taking more responsibility for the way they react to those things which impact them but are actually beyond their control. On the other other hand, how about calling to account those individuals who contribute to the economic crisis by their greedy behaviour. Specifically, the GFC of 2008 was caused by greedy bankers who loaned money to borrowers who could not afford to repay the loans and interest and then when the bankers realised they were going to lose their money because they would not be paid back the bankers invented schemes to pass the loss/responsibility on to other parties, ie taxpayers across the whole world. Where was the banker's responsibility? PS The bankers are still dodging their responsibilities by putting it on to the small guy, the most vulnerable, the poorest individuals.

[@DanielaPanico]

Same thing happening in Italy for years!!!

[@longleggedbeast]

Excellent, well said. If the 99% aren't so easily convinced by the richest 1% that the poorest 25% are the problem, then maybe people would vote differently and we can eventually create fairer societies.

[@fredrickmonette3156]

Nice

[@UltraRik]

"We are in denial about true causes of poverty" Nothing causes poverty. It is the default state. A real question is what causes prosperity

[@zetos4440]

We dont have poverty here so what are you even sayinh

[@angrytedtalks]

On the money. Socialist states indoctrinate their people to hate the rich and not to try to become productive, to become rich themselves. Equality is earned, not assumed.

[@pechorin5842]

@@angrytedtalksLOL if you truly believe "being individually productive" is the way to get rid of poverty, then you are the one who is being indoctrinated.

[@pechorin5842]

the concept of "poverty" is based on the given technological and social context. If someone is so poor that they are starving when a country having a technology and resource to have absurd level of food surplus. Then No, this kind of "poverty" is definitely not the default state.

[@angrytedtalks]

@@pechorin5842 Poverty is one thing, being jealous or angry towards the rich is another. In case you missed it, innovation and hard work are perfectly reasonable ways to make money (unlike theft or conquest). People needing money need the rich; to strive to copy them and help them for a share of the wealth. They should not think that the rich stole it from the poor - in the vast majority of cases they didn't. Do try to make a valid point without misquoting.

[@salutonfeilix2975]

Deep breath...

[@salutonfeilix2975]

Crisis , power idea of responsibility. 8:58 meet manifesting self

[@BoulguantMJR]

taking responsibility is always something good

[@LaughtingApe]

not for others' actions

[@aliyaansmedia6902]

Karthik surya from Kerala

[@lavish_1717]

*Shes so beautiful* 😮😮😮

[@claramiranda7269]

les doy mil likes Hola DS Argentina pero está en inglés y no sé qué está hablando porque hace mucho tiempo que deje de inglés bendiciones igual para todos

[@yinminaung77]

Vroom

[@elifcetinkaqya8195]

Hey

[@SakSuper17]

48 rich people disliked this video

[@GroovismOrg]

Groovemeisters around the planet will employ thousands, to facilitate drum circles & stream. As millions Groove as One, miracles will manifest!!!!

[@CamitoHatsune]

This crisis is a huge oppourtunity for smaller people to start their own business and help themselves and possibly the economy. Think beyond the conspiracy and become the facts

[@mushinizi9707]

Take a shot whenever you hear her breathing *dies of alcohol poisoning* P.s i loved how she addressed the people that cope with macro factors that influence their lives

[@gizellelandong1251]

Yeah. I feel like running out of breath too hearing it, good talk though.

[@gaflippersofficial9007]

Has anyone seen my fine clase

[@GhadeerMostafa]

1st

[@minsawmg2322]

I go the m

[@esraerik1162]

Misophonic friends... don't!

[@angrytedtalks]

Teaching individual responsibility is the most important part of transition from a communist state to a free market competitive economy. For generations Latvia was a vassal state nannied by mother Russia. To be a viable independent market player in the EU and greater world, innovation and determined leadership are required. To get a job, ask those who are successful "how can I make you even more successful?", NOT "how come you have money and I don't?". Inequality is normal. We are not all the same. Social justice: you work, you get paid.

[@PauloGarcia-sp5ws]

Not everyone is content to just work for some super rich dude man. Some people want to get rich themselves, and working hard for a rich guy is not always a reliable way to do that.

[@carlosachu5359]

Sounds like she is romanticizing poor countries realities; they don't have a choice nor say, so what to do, but find something else to do. U r on y own, just like everyone else.

[@flymanager111]

Soviet THERAPY ? What are you talking about ?? You mother had nice salary and benefits as a history teacher in USSR 👍 What she has now ?

[@arthurq7843]

I think she said *"shock therapy"* . It's a radical reformation of economy that all the post soviet countries been through to establish the free market.

[@flymanager111]

Arthur Q ha ha lol .