Ben Spies-Butcher

Ben Spies-Butcher is Associate Professor and Head of the Sociology Department at Macquarie University. A longer version of this article appears in the current special Coronavirus crisis issue of The Journal of Australian Political Economy at https://www.ppesydney.net/issue-85-winter-2020/

Ben's articles (3 total)

Bill Shorten’s university proposal breaks the deadlock – but design will decide its value
Will Brehm,  Ben Spies-Butcher

Bill Shorten’s university proposal breaks the deadlock – but design will decide its value

Bill Shorten’s proposal for a university fund tackles a long-standing funding problem – but its impact will depend on how it is designed and delivered.

As the home ownership dream fades, Australians may be open to a frank conversation about house prices
Alistair Sisson,  Ben Spies-Butcher,  Kristian Ruming,  Shaun Wilson,  Adam Stebbing

As the home ownership dream fades, Australians may be open to a frank conversation about house prices

One of the most basic axioms in Australian politics is that voters support rising house prices. John Howard expressed this axiom when he infamously remarked that no one had ever told him “I'm angry with you for letting the value of my house increase”.

Ben Spies-Butcher

Equality or austerity after COVID?

Can the COVID crisis help drive a more equal Australia? The crisis reveals an alternative is possible, focuses attention on social needs and exposes the macroeconomic risks of growing economic insecurity. However, the shadow of debt and ‘snap back’ loom large.