19 October 2011
The Global Financial Crisis: What Have We Learnt
A book titled The Global Financial Crisis: What Have We Learnt - edited by a leading RMIT University academic - has just been published.
The book is edited by Dr Steven Kates, Senior Lecturer with the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, who spent a quarter century as the Chief Economist for the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Dr Kates said the book dealt with the lessons that had been drawn about economic management due to our experience with the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).
He said that what made this collection entirely different was that it brought together representatives of each of the non-mainstream traditions in economics, from the Austrians on the market side of the equation to the Marxists with their more collectivist perspective.
As well as being editor, Dr Kates wrote the introduction and contributed one of the papers.
"This is the second book in what will be a series that is intended to continue as long as the current recession continues," he said.
The Global Financial Crisis, published by Edward Elgar, is an investigation into the causes of the most savage economic downturn since the Great Depression.
This study analyses the measures that have been taken to restore our economies to acceptable rates of unemployment and growth.
"This book brings together economists who collectively represent the broadest range of views from across the entire spectrum of economic opinion, to examine what has been learnt from this experience," Dr Kates said.
"These alternative perspectives should now receive a far closer examination, given the unmistakable economic failures endured over the past few years."
The 264-page book looks at alternative ways of understanding why the GFC occurred and what ought to have been the appropriate response.
"Anyone interested in the causes of the GFC and why the policies that were adopted failed to bring about the recovery that was intended, will find this book a fascinating read," Dr Kates said.
For interviews or comment: Dr Steve Kates, (03) 9925 5878 or 0427 297 529.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Kevin Slack, (03) 9925 2520 or 0439 499 008. For head shot pic of Dr Kates or book cover jpeg, kevin.slack@rmit.edu.au
