The First Great Recession of the 21st Century

The 2008-10 financial crisis and the global recession it created is a complex phenomenon that warrants detailed examination. The various essays in this book utilise several alternative paradigms to provide a plausible explanation and a credible cure. Great detail is given to this important analysis from different theoretical perspectives, presenting a clearer understanding of what went wrong and expounding misinterpretations of current theories and practices. Fourteen insightful chapters by eminent scholars investigate the background of the crisis and draw lessons for economic theory and policy. They largely illustrate that the roots of the recession lie in the financial sector which, over the past few decades, has expanded considerably in terms of both size and complexity. They show that financial innovation has decoupled the real and financial sectors - not always to the benefit of economic stability - and argue that financial markets should be regulated more astutely in order to reinforce transparency and accountability. The book concludes that economics as a science should give proper weight to financial variables and integrate them into its models. This fascinating and thought-provoking volume will prove a challenging read for academics, students and researchers in the fields of economics, money, finance and banking, and the history of economics. It will also prove invaluable for economic policymakers at all levels.