Lost Decades
The Making of America's Debt Crisis and the Long Recovery
Menzie D. Chinn (Author, University of Wisconsin, Madison), Jeffry A. Frieden (Author, Harvard University)
Two acclaimed political economists explore the origins and long-term effects
of the financial crisis in historical and comparative perspective.
Welcome to Argentina: by 2008 the United States had become the biggest international borrower in world history, with almost half of its 6.4 trillion dollar federal debt in foreign hands. The proportion of foreign loans to the size of the economy put the United States in league with Mexico, Pakistan, and other third-world debtor nations. The massive inflow of foreign funds financed the booms in housing prices and consumer spending that fueled the economy until the collapse of late 2008.
The authors explore the political and economic roots of this crisis as well as its long-term effects. They explain the political strategies behind the Bush administration's policy of funding massive deficits with the foreign borrowing that fed the crisis. They see the continuing impact of our huge debt in a slow recovery ahead. Their clear, insightful, and comprehensive account will long be regarded as the standard on the crisis.
Book Details
- Hardcover
- September 2011
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ISBN 978-0-393-07650-9
- 6.5 × 9.6 in
/ 284 pages
- Territory Rights: Worldwide
Other Formats
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Paperback
Endorsements & Reviews
“An integrated and compelling account of where our debts came from – and why they won’t go away any time soon. Chinn and Frieden combine the smartest kind of economics with the toughest kind of political science. Read this book for a somewhat disheartening but completely enlightening education – and then send 10 copies to the White House and Capitol Hill.” — Simon Johnson, MIT, co-author of 13 Bankers
“An intelligent, vivid, and accessible account of the first great crisis of the 21st century. Drawing on comparisons that will bother recalcitrant believers in American economic exceptionalism, the authors depict a gloomy panorama for the years to come unless policy makers get serious about fiscal reform. This is a must-read for the expert and the layman alike.” — Ernesto Zedillo, Director of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization Former President of Mexico
“This wonderful book by two leading political economists identifies the roots of the recent financial crisis and the deep recession that followed, but more important, tells us what awaits us if we do not fix the underlying problems. It is political economy as it was meant to be - accessible and concise, even while deeply troubling.” — Raghuram G. Rajan, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago
“You will not read a better political-economic synthesis of America’s financial crisis than this book.” — Dani Rodrik, author of The Globalization Paradox
“Through pointed historical and comparative illustration, the authors show how financiers, politicians, and ideologues ushered in the crisis, and highlight the challenges we must overcome to avoid another lost decade.” — Nouriel Roubini, Stern School of Business, NYU
Also by Jeffry A. Frieden 
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Paperback
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Fifth Edition / Paperback
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Paperback