The global financial crisis and austerity: A Basic Introduction (Short Insights)

"As a simple-to-read introduction to and look back upon the financial crisis this is as good at it gets." Professor Andrew Hindmoor, University of Sheffield, UK "David Clark has written an insightful introduction to the causes and consequences of the global financial crisis, to be welcomed both for its brevity and clarity" Dr Simon Lee, University of Hull, UK "This book is a `must read' for anyone who wants a crash course on the global financial crisis and austerity. Written in a highly accessible manner, it uses academic experts' insights to great effect to explain what happened and why." Professor Vivien A. Schmidt, Boston University, USA "Clark's political economy of the global financial crisis and its aftermaths is as clinical as it is accessible. It systematically demystifies and therefore empowers. This book deserves a wide readership." Professor Steve Tombs, The Open University, UK "We are still living in the shadow of the 2008 financial crash. David Clark provides an impressive overview of its causes and consequences, and how it has been interpreted." Professor Andrew Gamble, University of Cambridge, UK "Without deeper understanding of finance and economics, citizens cannot truly exercise their democratic agency. David Clark has met this challenge with a highly readable book that guides us through the complex landscape of the global financial crisis and its aftermath. Reading it is as much a democratic act as an educational one." Tony Greenham, Director, RSA

Written by an expert in political science, this entry-level summary outlines the policy responses of Western governments to the global financial crisis and the turn to austerity. It covers why the financial system is unchanged since the crash; the return of the super-rich; and why one of the G7 economies was immune from the financial crash. Supplemented by an A-Z glossary, the book outlines possible future scenarios, making it an impressive overview.