Arguably, the most important economist in the world, with surely one of the most important new books anywhere, Jeffrey Sachs is widely thought to be the leading economic advisor of his generation. He's been twice named by Time Magazine as one of the hundred most influential people in the world.

Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia University, director of The Earth Institute, and special advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN, Jeffrey Sachs' new book The Price of Civilization, calls for a new way to practice capitalism in order to restore America to prosperity, and to push the world beyond a state of chronic poverty.

Below is a short excerpt from Jeffrey Sachs’s presentation at the Mackenzie Speakers Series. To view the full video of his presentation in its entirety, click here.