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Em-powering economics: Some thoughts on policy and financial markets

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  • Josef Falkinger

Abstract

This paper addresses the discussion between economic power and the power of politics with particular focus on financial markets. After general reflections about the economic basis of power, the paper discusses in a general equilibrium framework how financial innovations can lead to risk creation and an inflation of financial products. This creates a fundamental disorder in the financial system which from an aggregate point of view can be described in a standard portfolio framework, in which higher rates of return go hand in hand with higher private risks but also with increasing externalized (social) risk and insurance illusion. Rate of return regulation is proposed as an appropriate regulatory measure. Alternatively the deficiency could be cured by admission regulations for financial products which put the burden of proof for no external (systemic) damages of a financial instrument to the issuer.

Suggested Citation

  • Josef Falkinger, 2012. "Em-powering economics: Some thoughts on policy and financial markets," ECON - Working Papers 093, Department of Economics - University of Zurich.
    • Handle: RePEc:zur:econwp:093
    as

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    File URL: https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/64883/1/econwp093.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Franck, Egon, 2011. "Ist es an der Zeit, die Aktionärsrechte zu stärken?," Die Unternehmung - Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 65(3), pages 201-214.
    2. James Crotty & Gerald Epstein, 2009. "Avoiding Another Meltdown," Challenge, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(1), pages 5-26.
    3. Binswanger, Johannes, 2007. "Risk management of pensions from the perspective of loss aversion," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(3-4), pages 641-667, April.
    4. Josef Falkinger, 2008. "Limited Attention as a Scarce Resource in Information-Rich Economies," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 118(532), pages 1596-1620, October.
    5. Falkinger, Josef, 2007. "Attention economies," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 133(1), pages 266-294, March.
    6. Kurt Rothschild & John King, 2009. "A Conversation with Kurt Rothschild," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 145-155.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Power; financial crisis; risk-creation; inflation of financial innovations; rate of return regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D53 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Financial Markets
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists

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