ThinkFest probes inequality, local governance

Discussions draw policymakers, scholars and a large audience

LAHORE:

The second day of the ninth Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest at Alhamra Arts Council unfolded with wide-ranging discussions on global inequality, democratic reform, governance failures and the growing pressures of the digital age, drawing policymakers, scholars and a large audience.

A feature of the day was a keynote address by Thomas Piketty, professor at the Paris School of Economics and author of the book Capital in the Twenty-First Century.

Drawing on decades of research and data from the World Inequality Database, Piketty offered a comparative snapshot of income and wealth disparities across regions.

He argued that inequality has remained stubbornly high despite economic growth, noting that societies with lower inequality tend to be more productive because they invest more consistently in education, health and human capital.

Tracing long-term historical trends, Piketty said global poverty has declined, but inequality continues to widen as returns on capital outpace income growth.

Without deliberate policy choices, he warned, inequality will remain entrenched.

Equality, he stressed, is closely tied to productivity and environmental sustainability, rather than being in tension with them.

Closer to home, governance and democratic reform in Pakistan dominated several sessions.

Panels addressed political polarisation, weakening institutions, youth unemployment and the narrowing space for democratic expression.

Speakers highlighted the role of media freedom, accountability and open debate in reversing public disillusionment, warning that continued institutional inertia would further erode trust.

Digital resilience also emerged as a key theme.

Beyond policy debates, the day featured two book launches that drew strong interest, adding a literary dimension to the festival's intellectual exchange.

The day concluded with a live concert by Omar Mukhtar.