U3A BRISBANE

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning

Term 2 2026

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E17 Politics and the Economy - Hopes and Fears


Tutor: Bruce Holdsworth
Former Economics Lecturer and Politics Tutor ANU.
Amid fears, problems, we seek hope, solutions, via politics, economics, to: Trump's War plus Israel etc vs Iran, etc & vs U.S.(ICE); Israel vs Gaza,West Bank,Lebanon; Ukraine; BRICS vs West; Climate, Environment; Inflation, Austerity, Preparing for War; Terrorism (Bondi), "Hate Crimes"; Democracy in decay: Coalition Collapse; Money Politics, growing Inequality here, in US. UK, etc; other Dangers: Health: COVID, flu etc; Technology (AI), Education (public vs private schools; uni. crisis); and Social Divisions (rich vs rest, women's position, crushing dissent, media bias, racism, bigotry).
Friday 10.45am - 12.00pm. Classes start 24 April, finish 26 June.
Cost: $25 (prepaid), 10 weeks
Current Enrolments: 33  (full capacity)


In economic thought, we look at key economic thinkers & how their ideas still shape our world:
Classical Liberals Adam Smith and David Ricardo;
Revolutionary Socialist and Communist Karl Marx;
Interventionist John Maynard Keynes;
and Neoliberals Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman.

About the Tutor:

Economics lecturer, ANU 2005-2013; English & Political Science tutor 2003-5; Commonwealth public servant 1972-2002: Immigration, Social Security, Finance.
High school teacher English & History 1965-7,NSW;
1967-72:University librarian, Sydney; School librarian, London ; government librarian, Toronto

Unfortunately this class is over-subscribed and no further enrolments can be accepted at this time. You may contact the tutor to express your interest should a vacancy arise.


If you wish to obtain further information about this class before enrolling, you may send a message to the tutor using the Send Enquiry Message button below.