University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Michael Rosen (top) and Patrick McIlheran

Does free market capitalism generate a rising tide that lifts all boats, or unleash an economic tsunami with the power to leave the global economy in ruins? Two Milwaukee pundits take up the question in a lively discussion from distinctly different points of view in the next Great Decisions Lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Patrick McIlheran and economist Michael Rosen of the Milwaukee Area Technical College present “The State of Global Capitalism: The History and Future of a Free Market Approach,” at 7 p.m. in the Union Ballroom at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM).

Great Decisions brings internationally known diplomats, government officials, scholars and journalists to campus to discuss foreign policy in an interactive setting. It is coordinated by the Institute of World Affairs, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary at UWM.

McIlheran has been a journalist for two decades in Wisconsin and Minnesota, reporting and editing since 1997 at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He’s been an opinion page columnist and blogger for the Journal Sentinel since 2004. He grew up in Racine County, near Waterford, has a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University and now lives in Bay View with his wife and their three children.

Rosen received his bachelor’s degree from the UW–Madison and his Ph.D. from UWM. He is the president of the faculty/staff union, AFT Local 212, at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Rosen has served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership and the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership. He is currently on the board of the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future and the advisory boards of the Milwaukee Partnership Academy and the Initiative for a Competitive Milwaukee.

Great Decisions lectures occur on consecutive Tuesdays through March 16. Admission is free for members of the Institute of World Affairs, UWM faculty and staff, and all area students, and $5 for the general public. For more information, call 414-229-3220, or go to www.iwa.uwm.edu.