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Financial and World Economic Crisis: What did Economists Contribute?

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  • Gebhard Kirchgässner
  • Friedrich Schneider

Abstract

In this paper we deal with two questions, (i) what are the origins of the current financial crisis, and (ii) what did economists contribute, or why did economists fail to provide a convincing answer for the origins of the crisis, and possible solutions to overcome it? Apparently, the economics profession was unaware of the looming worldwide financial and economic crisis, and significantly underestimated its global dimensions and consequences. A first and prelimi-nary analysis is undertaken to explore reasons for these failures. We conclude by pointing to some consequences for economics as well as for economic policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Gebhard Kirchgässner & Friedrich Schneider, 2009. "Financial and World Economic Crisis: What did Economists Contribute?," University of St. Gallen Department of Economics working paper series 2009 2009-14, Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen.
    • Handle: RePEc:usg:dp2009:2009-14
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    Cited by:

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    2. Craig J. Richardson & Zachary D. Blizard, 2023. "Did the 2010 Dodd–Frank Banking Act deflate property values in low-income neighborhoods?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 197(3), pages 433-454, December.
    3. Gebhard Kirchgässner, 2009. "Die Krise der Wirtschaft: Auch eine Krise der Wirtschaftswissenschaften?," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 10(4), pages 436-468, November.
    4. Lars Feld & Marcel Savioz & Jan Schnellenbach, 2010. "Gebhard Kirchgässner, 60 years on," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 144(3), pages 393-399, September.
    5. McBrayer Markie & Shea Patrick E. & Kirkland Justin H., 2018. "The Financial Crisis, Fiscal Federalism, and the Creditworthiness of US State Governments," Statistics, Politics and Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 9(1), pages 1-30, June.
    6. Lunn, Pete, 2011. "The Role of Decision-Making Biases in Ireland's Banking Crisis," Papers WP389, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    7. Ernest Aigner & Florentin Gloetzl & Matthias Aistleitner & Jakob Kapeller, 2018. "The focus of academic economics: before and after the crisis," ICAE Working Papers 75, Johannes Kepler University, Institute for Comprehensive Analysis of the Economy.
    8. Borce Trenovski & Biljana Tashevska, 2019. "Lessons learned from the global recession - redesigned framework of key macroeconomic policies," International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 22(4), pages 468-489.
    9. Maryam Jafary Galooyek & Zaleha Mohd Noor & Ehsan Rajabi, 2014. "Bad Government as a Reason of Recent Financial Crisis in Europe," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 20-31.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial Crisis; Crisis Management; Failure of Economics; Failure of Economic Researchers; Origin of the Crisis.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • B40 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - General
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • K2 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law

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