Discover Modern Monetary Theory and Fresh Economic Perspectives for Australia
Sociocultural Australis provides accessible analysis of Australian economics through the lens of Modern Monetary Theory.
Get insights on:
Rethinking government debt, deficits, taxes and spending
The realities of how our monetary system works
In-depth budget analysis and critiquing inequality
Challenging mainstream assumptions around austerity
Modern proposals like a federal Job Guarantee
Led by economist Darren Q, this Substack bridges the gap between heterodox economics and the public. With a mix of short takes and longform pieces, Darren breaks down complex topics and provides perspective on dealing with Australia's economic challenges.
Develop your understanding of money, public purpose and economic progress. Sign up today for regular analysis from a leading Australian voice in MMT.
What’s with the Name?
Economist Kate Raworth asks in her book Doughnut Economics, "What would you replace Homo Economicus with?” My answer is Homo SocioCulturalis, hence Sociocultural Australis. Shouldn't it then be Socioculturalis Australis? No. Only because I couldn't find any Latin to back up the claim that SocioCulturalis is a word.
What will you really get out of my Substack?
Well, first of all, you will get my personal story of why I became a Modern Money advocate. This story also explains why I'm still a member of the Precariat - the poverty class.
Using a number of New Monetary Consensus (NMC) economists' publications, I present the countervailing view of modern money. I hope this encourages you to look beyond the surface of Modern Money Theory(MMT) commonly presented.
What is different about my writing compared to others is I am an autodidact, a big word for self-taught. There is no official PhD behind me. I am not an elitist on hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is just my view, and I hope you can relate to my story and my little Modern Money niche and my Australian perspective.
The vast majority of my content will be free, but paying subscribers - can access podcast episodes I put together every now and then, along with the occasional paid post. This works well for those who prefer to listen to audio rather than read. I will make every attempt to make them particularly special.
If I am lucky enough to receive a Founding Member subscription, I will promote the founding member’s work at least once every quarter.
More About Who I am
Darren Quinn, a self-taught economist and educator, focuses on modern monetary theory (MMT) and macroeconomics. He serves as the Editing Coordinator for the Institute to Promote the Understanding of MMT, where he is also a member of the Office of Coordinators. His completion of the MMTedX MOOC further demonstrates his commitment to education, "Modern Monetary Theory: Economics for the 21st Century," facilitated by renowned economist Bill Mitchell.
Quinn has contributed his writing talents to the KRTD Media blog and served as the final president of Modern Money Australia, an organization dedicated to public economic education and policy. Currently, he is expanding his knowledge through the Graduate Certificate in Economics of Sustainability at Torrens University, a course sponsored by the Modern Money Lab.
An active member of the Australian Unemployed Workers Union, Quinn advocates for the rights of unemployed and precarious workers. He's been instrumental in introducing MMT and post-Keynesian economics to Australians via social media and online platforms. His accessible yet technically grounded commentary has engaged a wide spectrum of professionals, from experts and policymakers to politicians.
Influenced by his involvement with the international Modern Money Network, a leading collective of MMT scholars and advocates, Quinn continues to shape his work and impact the field of economics.
Readers can follow Quinn on Twitter @AusMMT for a discussion of the latest research and policy debates around MMT and macroeconomics.
Stay up-to-date
You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of people who share your interests.
To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack.com.
