About the Event: This event is based on Professor Kate Maclean's book Cash, Clothes and Construction: Rethinking Value in Bolivia's Pluri-Economy and Professor Macclean will be joined by disucssants, Professor Ann Stewart, Professor Dalvinder Singh and Dr George Meszaros. The event is chaired by Dr Serena Natile.

Abstract:
Bolivia’s Financial Services Law: Supporting an economy where all economies fit?
Bolivia’s Financial Services Law (FSL) was implemented in 2013 by former Warwick graduate Luis Arce, then Minister of Economy and Public Finance, now President. The law was an integral part of the ruling Movement towards Socialism government’s aims to reverse the social exclusion and inequality caused by decades of orthodox adjustment policies and create a financial architecture that could support an inclusive, post-neoliberal economy. The FSL recognised non-conventional collateral, imposed interest rate ceilings and established targeted credit quotas for productive enterprises and social housing, with the aim of supporting productive sector development and valorising the social mission of finance.This seminar will analyse the FSL in the context of the broad aim of the Movimiento al Socialismo to create a pluri-economy: an economy where all economies fit. It will examine the requirements placed on the formal banking sector in the context of the broader financial ecology of lending and banking institutions in Bolivia, including the traditional Andean lending mechanisms and community gift exchanges which underpin the so-called ‘informal’ enterprises which flourish in Bolivia’s vast peri-urban popular markets.

About the Author:
Kate Maclean Link opens in a new windowis Associate Professor at the Institute for Global Prosperity, The Bartlett, UCL. This paper is taken from her latest book, Cash, Clothes and Construction: Rethinking Value in Bolivia's Pluri-EconomyLink opens in a new window, recently published by University of Minnesota Press. She is also author of Social Urbanism and the Politics of Violence: The Medellín Miracle, and co-editor of Seduced and Betrayed: Exposing the contemporary microfinance phenomenon.

About the Discussants and Chair:
Ann StewartLink opens in a new window is Professor of Law at Warwick Law School. She researches and writes research and writes in the area of gender and the law, focussing on issues of gender justice and postcolonialism. Dalvinder SinghLink opens in a new window is Professor of Law at Warwick Law School. His research is on banking law and financial services regulation. George MeszarosLink opens in a new window is Associate Professor at Warwick Law School. His research is socio-legal adn focuses on public law, social movements and land rights. Serena NatileLink opens in a new window is Associate Professor at Warwick Law School. Her research interests lie in the areas of gender studies, law and development, global political economy, finance and digital technologies.