The economist Mariana Mazzucato argues that housing should be understood as a human right and as "the basis of everything else," in remarks published by El País.
According to the newspaper, Mazzucato contends that if the common good were given priority — the subject of her most recent book — brakes would be imposed on developers and speculators.
El País describes her as an economist determined to get out into the field, get her hands dirty and watch her ideas be put into practice in ways that improve people's lives. She had just returned from Brazil and Mexico, where she spent several weeks working alongside local communities.
The interview took place at her home in London's Camden district, where, the paper notes, she displayed a striking amount of energy for someone who ought to still be feeling the effects of jet lag.