Understanding Financialization: Standing on the Shoulders of Minsky Charles J. Whalen Baldy Center for Law & Social Policy SUNY University at Buffalo, USA Financialization Conference, June 9, 2017, Rzeszow, Poland
“The time has come…to speak of many things!” Main Points Hyman Minsky Offered Penetrating Observations on Money Manager Capitalism He also Sketched a Powerful Analytical Framework, Yielding a Theory of US Capitalist Development Minsky’s Observations & Framework Represent a Major Contribution to the Financialization Literature
Observations on Money Manager Capitalism Emerged in the Early 1980s Money Managers Replaced Corporate Managers as ‘Masters of the Economy’ Consequences & Dangers
Consequences of Money Manager Capitalism The Short View Replaced the Long View Financial Innovation (Securitization, etc.) Further Globalization
Dangers of Money Manager Capitalism Slower Technological Progress Greater Economic Instability Increased Worker Insecurity Sharper Income Inequality
The Continuing Relevance of Money Manager Capitalism The New York Times BUSINESS DAY Route to Air Travel Discomfort Starts on Wall Street By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ MAY 28, 2017
Minsky’s Theory of US Capitalist Development Foundation: Evolutionary and Institutionally Oriented View of the Economy (Rooted in Schumpeter & Keynes) Finance: A Key Role in Economic Life Focus: The Interaction of Finance & Industry Money Manager Capitalism: The Latest Stage Some Dimensions: Activity & Entity Financed; Financing Source; Locus of Power
Extending Minsky’s Theory
Understanding Financialization Shareholder Value Money Managers and Trading Evolution of Banking and Finance Regime of Accumulation And More….
‘Economic systems are not natural systems…The task confronting economics today may be characterized as a need to integrate the insights of Schumpeter and Keynes.’ — Minsky (1986)