Some months ago it became known that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was likely to step down as the end of his second term of appointment drew near. Initially, Federal Reserve Vice-Chair Janet Yellen appeared the favorite to succeed Bernanke, but now it seems as though Larry Summers has become the Obama administration’s preferred candidate. Summers’ candidacy raises grave political and policy concerns. (more…)
Archive for July, 2013
The Next Federal Reserve Chairperson
Monday, July 29th, 2013Financialization: The Economics of Finance Capital Domination
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 
This book explores the process of financialization whereby economies are increasingly dominated by finance capital. This process is characterized by rising income inequality, wage stagnation, increased indebtedness, a rising financial sector share of profits, and tendencies to generate asset price bubbles. The financial crisis of 2008 and the subsequent recession and stagnation represent the latest phase. The book provides a comprehensive treatment of these developments, beginning with a presentation of the empirical evidence. That is followed by economic theory chapters dealing with the macroeconomics of financialization; business cycle effects; microeconomic developments; tendencies toward Minsky-style economic instability; and economic growth effects. The final section of the book focuses on the political economy of financialization and policies to stabilize financial markets.
EUROPE, AFRICA, LATIN AMERICA:
A 50% discount is available at www.palgrave.com with discount code WPALLEY2013a.
NORTH AMERICA, AUSTRALASIA:
A 20% discount is available at www.amazon.com. Also available at www.palgrave-usa.com with discount code XP356ED.
Coordinate Currencies or Stagnate
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013The global economy needs exchange rate coordination now. Absent that, the world is likely to be increasingly afflicted by exchange rate fluctuations and policy acrimony. These are bound to undermine the economic recovery and increase the likelihood of stagnation.
In 2010, Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega warned of the possibility of “currency wars”, as countries sought to devalue their exchange rates to gain competitive advantage. (more…)