The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause

The world is currently still struggling with the aftermath of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Following a description of the eruption, evolution and consequences of the global crisis, this paper reviews alternative hypotheses...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lin, Justin Yifu, Treichel, Volker
Format: Policy Research Working Paper
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
TAX
Online Access:http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20120109085942
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3222
id okr-10986-3222
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
topic ASSET MANAGER
ASSET PRICE
ASSET PRICES
ASSET-LIABILITY MISMATCH
BAILOUT
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS CRISES
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS CRISIS
BALANCE SHEET
BANK LENDING
BANKING INSTITUTIONS
BANKING SYSTEM
BANKRUPTCY
BORROWER
BORROWING COSTS
BUDGET DEFICIT
BUDGET SURPLUSES
BUSINESS CYCLE
BUSINESS CYCLES
CAPITAL ACCOUNT
CAPITAL FLOWS
CAPITAL INFLOWS
CAPITAL MARKETS
CAPITAL OUTFLOWS
CENTRAL BANK
CENTRAL BANKS
COLLATERAL
COMMERCIAL BANK
COMMERCIAL BANKS
COMMERCIAL PAPER
COMMERCIAL PAPER MARKET
COMMODITY PRICE
COMMODITY PRICES
CONSUMER CREDIT
CONSUMER GOODS
CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES
CORPORATE SAVING
CREDIT DEFAULT
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS
CREDIT MARKET
CREDIT MARKETS
CREDITOR
CREDITORS
CURRENCY
CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT
CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICITS
CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS
CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUSES
DEBT BURDENS
DEBT CRISIS
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
DEFAULT RISK
DEFAULTS
DEFICITS
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
DEPOSIT INSURANCE
DEPOSITS
DERIVATIVE
DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS
DERIVATIVES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
DURABLE
DURABLE GOODS
ECONOMIC POLICIES
EMERGING ECONOMIES
EMERGING MARKET
EMERGING MARKET ECONOMIES
EMERGING MARKETS
EQUITIES
EQUITY FUND
EQUITY INVESTMENT
EQUITY MARKET
EQUITY MARKETS
EXCESS LIQUIDITY
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
EXCHANGE RATE
EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS
EXPORT SHARE
EXPORTERS
FEDERAL RESERVE
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
FINANCIAL ASSETS
FINANCIAL CRISIS
FINANCIAL DISTRESS
FINANCIAL FLOWS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FINANCIAL MARKET
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL SYSTEM
FISCAL DEFICITS
FISCAL POLICIES
FISCAL POLICY
FIXED INCOME
FOREIGN CURRENCY
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES
GLOBAL CAPITAL
GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS
GLOBAL ECONOMY
GLOBAL TRADE
GLOBALIZATION
GOVERNMENT BUDGET
GOVERNMENT POLICY
HEDGE FUND
HEDGE FUNDS
HOME EQUITY
HOME EQUITY LOAN
HOME EQUITY LOANS
HOME LOAN
HOME MORTGAGE
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
HOUSEHOLD WEALTH
INCOME INSTRUMENTS
INFLATION
INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS
INFLATIONARY PRESSURES
INSURANCE
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE COMPANY
INSURANCE CORPORATION
INTEREST PAYMENTS
INTEREST RATE
INTEREST RATE POLICY
INTEREST RATES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BORROWING
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL STATISTICS
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
INVESTMENT BANKS
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT RATE
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
LENDERS
LETTERS OF CREDIT
LEVEL OF DEBT
LEVEL OF RISK
LIABILITY
LIEN
LIENS
LIQUIDATION
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY CRISIS
LOAN
LOAN OBLIGATIONS
LONG-TERM INTEREST
LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES
LONG-TERM MATURITY
MACROECONOMIC MANAGEMENT
MACROECONOMIC POLICIES
MARKET CONFIDENCE
MARKET DISTORTIONS
MARKET INDICES
MARKET PARTICIPANTS
MARKET STABILITY
MATURITY
MICRO-DATA
MONETARY AUTHORITIES
MONETARY FUND
MONETARY POLICY
MONEY MARKET
MONEY MARKETS
MORTGAGE
MORTGAGE LOANS
MORTGAGE MARKET
MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
MORTGAGES
MUTUAL FUNDS
NATIONAL SAVINGS
OIL PRICES
PENSION
PENSION FUNDS
PERSONAL INCOME
POLICY RESPONSE
PRICE MOVEMENTS
PRIVATE EQUITY
PUBLIC DEBT
PUBLIC DEBTS
PUBLIC FINANCES
PURCHASING POWER
REAL EXCHANGE RATE
REAL INTEREST
REAL INTEREST RATES
REMITTANCES
REPAYMENTS
RESERVES
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE
RETURN
RISK AVERSION
RISK OF DEFAULT
RISK PROFILE
RISKY ASSETS
SAVINGS RATE
SAVINGS RATES
SECURITIES
SHAREHOLDERS
SHORT-TERM DEBT
SHORT-TERM DEPOSIT
SOVEREIGN DEBT
STOCK MARKET
STOCK MARKET PRICES
STOCK MARKETS
STOCKS
SWAP
TAX
TRADE BALANCE
TRADING
TRANCHES
TRANSACTION
TREASURIES
TREASURY
TREASURY BILL
TREASURY BILLS
TREASURY BONDS
VALUATION
WEALTH EFFECT
WEALTH EFFECTS
spellingShingle ASSET MANAGER
ASSET PRICE
ASSET PRICES
ASSET-LIABILITY MISMATCH
BAILOUT
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS CRISES
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS CRISIS
BALANCE SHEET
BANK LENDING
BANKING INSTITUTIONS
BANKING SYSTEM
BANKRUPTCY
BORROWER
BORROWING COSTS
BUDGET DEFICIT
BUDGET SURPLUSES
BUSINESS CYCLE
BUSINESS CYCLES
CAPITAL ACCOUNT
CAPITAL FLOWS
CAPITAL INFLOWS
CAPITAL MARKETS
CAPITAL OUTFLOWS
CENTRAL BANK
CENTRAL BANKS
COLLATERAL
COMMERCIAL BANK
COMMERCIAL BANKS
COMMERCIAL PAPER
COMMERCIAL PAPER MARKET
COMMODITY PRICE
COMMODITY PRICES
CONSUMER CREDIT
CONSUMER GOODS
CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES
CORPORATE SAVING
CREDIT DEFAULT
CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS
CREDIT MARKET
CREDIT MARKETS
CREDITOR
CREDITORS
CURRENCY
CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT
CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICITS
CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS
CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUSES
DEBT BURDENS
DEBT CRISIS
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
DEFAULT RISK
DEFAULTS
DEFICITS
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
DEPOSIT INSURANCE
DEPOSITS
DERIVATIVE
DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS
DERIVATIVES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
DURABLE
DURABLE GOODS
ECONOMIC POLICIES
EMERGING ECONOMIES
EMERGING MARKET
EMERGING MARKET ECONOMIES
EMERGING MARKETS
EQUITIES
EQUITY FUND
EQUITY INVESTMENT
EQUITY MARKET
EQUITY MARKETS
EXCESS LIQUIDITY
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
EXCHANGE RATE
EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS
EXPORT SHARE
EXPORTERS
FEDERAL RESERVE
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
FINANCIAL ASSETS
FINANCIAL CRISIS
FINANCIAL DISTRESS
FINANCIAL FLOWS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FINANCIAL MARKET
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL SYSTEM
FISCAL DEFICITS
FISCAL POLICIES
FISCAL POLICY
FIXED INCOME
FOREIGN CURRENCY
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES
GLOBAL CAPITAL
GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS
GLOBAL ECONOMY
GLOBAL TRADE
GLOBALIZATION
GOVERNMENT BUDGET
GOVERNMENT POLICY
HEDGE FUND
HEDGE FUNDS
HOME EQUITY
HOME EQUITY LOAN
HOME EQUITY LOANS
HOME LOAN
HOME MORTGAGE
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
HOUSEHOLD WEALTH
INCOME INSTRUMENTS
INFLATION
INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS
INFLATIONARY PRESSURES
INSURANCE
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE COMPANY
INSURANCE CORPORATION
INTEREST PAYMENTS
INTEREST RATE
INTEREST RATE POLICY
INTEREST RATES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BORROWING
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL STATISTICS
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
INVESTMENT BANKS
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT RATE
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
LENDERS
LETTERS OF CREDIT
LEVEL OF DEBT
LEVEL OF RISK
LIABILITY
LIEN
LIENS
LIQUIDATION
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY CRISIS
LOAN
LOAN OBLIGATIONS
LONG-TERM INTEREST
LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES
LONG-TERM MATURITY
MACROECONOMIC MANAGEMENT
MACROECONOMIC POLICIES
MARKET CONFIDENCE
MARKET DISTORTIONS
MARKET INDICES
MARKET PARTICIPANTS
MARKET STABILITY
MATURITY
MICRO-DATA
MONETARY AUTHORITIES
MONETARY FUND
MONETARY POLICY
MONEY MARKET
MONEY MARKETS
MORTGAGE
MORTGAGE LOANS
MORTGAGE MARKET
MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
MORTGAGES
MUTUAL FUNDS
NATIONAL SAVINGS
OIL PRICES
PENSION
PENSION FUNDS
PERSONAL INCOME
POLICY RESPONSE
PRICE MOVEMENTS
PRIVATE EQUITY
PUBLIC DEBT
PUBLIC DEBTS
PUBLIC FINANCES
PURCHASING POWER
REAL EXCHANGE RATE
REAL INTEREST
REAL INTEREST RATES
REMITTANCES
REPAYMENTS
RESERVES
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE
RETURN
RISK AVERSION
RISK OF DEFAULT
RISK PROFILE
RISKY ASSETS
SAVINGS RATE
SAVINGS RATES
SECURITIES
SHAREHOLDERS
SHORT-TERM DEBT
SHORT-TERM DEPOSIT
SOVEREIGN DEBT
STOCK MARKET
STOCK MARKET PRICES
STOCK MARKETS
STOCKS
SWAP
TAX
TRADE BALANCE
TRADING
TRANCHES
TRANSACTION
TREASURIES
TREASURY
TREASURY BILL
TREASURY BILLS
TREASURY BONDS
VALUATION
WEALTH EFFECT
WEALTH EFFECTS
Lin, Justin Yifu
Treichel, Volker
The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause
geographic_facet The World Region
The World Region
relation Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5937
description The world is currently still struggling with the aftermath of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Following a description of the eruption, evolution and consequences of the global crisis, this paper reviews alternative hypotheses for the causes of the global financial crisis as well as their empirical evidence. The paper refutes the frequently voiced view that the global crisis was caused by global imbalances that reflected economic policies of East Asian countries. Instead, it argues that global imbalances were the result of excess demand in the United States, resulting from both the public debt in the United States arising from the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars and tax cuts and the overconsumption by households supported by the wealth effect from the housing bubble in the United States. The housing bubble itself was the outcome of the Federal Reserve's low interest rate policy in the aftermath of the burst of the "dot-com" bubble in 2001, the lack of appropriate financial regulation, and housing policies aimed at expanding the mortgage market to low-income borrowers. It was possible to maintain the large trade deficits of the United States for such a long period of time because of the dollar's reserve currency status. When the housing bubble in the United States burst, the global crisis ensued. The paper also analyzes why China's trade surplus increased significantly in general and with the United States in particular in recent years, and argues that this increase was caused by both the relocation of the labor-intensive tradable sector of East Asian economies to China and high corporate saving rates in China as a result of its dual-track approach to reform.
format Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
author Lin, Justin Yifu
Treichel, Volker
author_facet Lin, Justin Yifu
Treichel, Volker
author_sort Lin, Justin Yifu
title The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause
title_short The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause
title_full The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause
title_fullStr The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause
title_full_unstemmed The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause
title_sort unexpected global financial crisis : researching its root cause
publishDate 2012
url http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20120109085942
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3222
_version_ 1764386629636587520
spelling okr-10986-32222021-04-23T14:02:08Z The Unexpected Global Financial Crisis : Researching Its Root Cause Lin, Justin Yifu Treichel, Volker ASSET MANAGER ASSET PRICE ASSET PRICES ASSET-LIABILITY MISMATCH BAILOUT BALANCE OF PAYMENTS BALANCE OF PAYMENTS CRISES BALANCE OF PAYMENTS CRISIS BALANCE SHEET BANK LENDING BANKING INSTITUTIONS BANKING SYSTEM BANKRUPTCY BORROWER BORROWING COSTS BUDGET DEFICIT BUDGET SURPLUSES BUSINESS CYCLE BUSINESS CYCLES CAPITAL ACCOUNT CAPITAL FLOWS CAPITAL INFLOWS CAPITAL MARKETS CAPITAL OUTFLOWS CENTRAL BANK CENTRAL BANKS COLLATERAL COMMERCIAL BANK COMMERCIAL BANKS COMMERCIAL PAPER COMMERCIAL PAPER MARKET COMMODITY PRICE COMMODITY PRICES CONSUMER CREDIT CONSUMER GOODS CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES CORPORATE SAVING CREDIT DEFAULT CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS CREDIT MARKET CREDIT MARKETS CREDITOR CREDITORS CURRENCY CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICITS CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUSES DEBT BURDENS DEBT CRISIS DEBT OBLIGATIONS DEFAULT RISK DEFAULTS DEFICITS DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS DEPOSIT INSURANCE DEPOSITS DERIVATIVE DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS DERIVATIVES DEVELOPING COUNTRIES DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION DURABLE DURABLE GOODS ECONOMIC POLICIES EMERGING ECONOMIES EMERGING MARKET EMERGING MARKET ECONOMIES EMERGING MARKETS EQUITIES EQUITY FUND EQUITY INVESTMENT EQUITY MARKET EQUITY MARKETS EXCESS LIQUIDITY EXCHANGE COMMISSION EXCHANGE RATE EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS EXPORT SHARE EXPORTERS FEDERAL RESERVE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK FINANCIAL ASSETS FINANCIAL CRISIS FINANCIAL DISTRESS FINANCIAL FLOWS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FINANCIAL MARKET FINANCIAL MARKETS FINANCIAL SYSTEM FISCAL DEFICITS FISCAL POLICIES FISCAL POLICY FIXED INCOME FOREIGN CURRENCY FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES GLOBAL CAPITAL GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS GLOBAL ECONOMY GLOBAL TRADE GLOBALIZATION GOVERNMENT BUDGET GOVERNMENT POLICY HEDGE FUND HEDGE FUNDS HOME EQUITY HOME EQUITY LOAN HOME EQUITY LOANS HOME LOAN HOME MORTGAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME HOUSEHOLD WEALTH INCOME INSTRUMENTS INFLATION INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS INFLATIONARY PRESSURES INSURANCE INSURANCE COMPANIES INSURANCE COMPANY INSURANCE CORPORATION INTEREST PAYMENTS INTEREST RATE INTEREST RATE POLICY INTEREST RATES INTERNATIONAL BANK INTERNATIONAL BORROWING INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL STATISTICS INTERNATIONAL MARKETS INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS INTERNATIONAL TRADE INVESTMENT BANKS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT RATE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY LENDERS LETTERS OF CREDIT LEVEL OF DEBT LEVEL OF RISK LIABILITY LIEN LIENS LIQUIDATION LIQUIDITY LIQUIDITY CRISIS LOAN LOAN OBLIGATIONS LONG-TERM INTEREST LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES LONG-TERM MATURITY MACROECONOMIC MANAGEMENT MACROECONOMIC POLICIES MARKET CONFIDENCE MARKET DISTORTIONS MARKET INDICES MARKET PARTICIPANTS MARKET STABILITY MATURITY MICRO-DATA MONETARY AUTHORITIES MONETARY FUND MONETARY POLICY MONEY MARKET MONEY MARKETS MORTGAGE MORTGAGE LOANS MORTGAGE MARKET MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES MORTGAGES MUTUAL FUNDS NATIONAL SAVINGS OIL PRICES PENSION PENSION FUNDS PERSONAL INCOME POLICY RESPONSE PRICE MOVEMENTS PRIVATE EQUITY PUBLIC DEBT PUBLIC DEBTS PUBLIC FINANCES PURCHASING POWER REAL EXCHANGE RATE REAL INTEREST REAL INTEREST RATES REMITTANCES REPAYMENTS RESERVES RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE RETURN RISK AVERSION RISK OF DEFAULT RISK PROFILE RISKY ASSETS SAVINGS RATE SAVINGS RATES SECURITIES SHAREHOLDERS SHORT-TERM DEBT SHORT-TERM DEPOSIT SOVEREIGN DEBT STOCK MARKET STOCK MARKET PRICES STOCK MARKETS STOCKS SWAP TAX TRADE BALANCE TRADING TRANCHES TRANSACTION TREASURIES TREASURY TREASURY BILL TREASURY BILLS TREASURY BONDS VALUATION WEALTH EFFECT WEALTH EFFECTS The world is currently still struggling with the aftermath of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Following a description of the eruption, evolution and consequences of the global crisis, this paper reviews alternative hypotheses for the causes of the global financial crisis as well as their empirical evidence. The paper refutes the frequently voiced view that the global crisis was caused by global imbalances that reflected economic policies of East Asian countries. Instead, it argues that global imbalances were the result of excess demand in the United States, resulting from both the public debt in the United States arising from the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars and tax cuts and the overconsumption by households supported by the wealth effect from the housing bubble in the United States. The housing bubble itself was the outcome of the Federal Reserve's low interest rate policy in the aftermath of the burst of the "dot-com" bubble in 2001, the lack of appropriate financial regulation, and housing policies aimed at expanding the mortgage market to low-income borrowers. It was possible to maintain the large trade deficits of the United States for such a long period of time because of the dollar's reserve currency status. When the housing bubble in the United States burst, the global crisis ensued. The paper also analyzes why China's trade surplus increased significantly in general and with the United States in particular in recent years, and argues that this increase was caused by both the relocation of the labor-intensive tradable sector of East Asian economies to China and high corporate saving rates in China as a result of its dual-track approach to reform. 2012-03-19T17:28:31Z 2012-03-19T17:28:31Z 2012-01-01 http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20120109085942 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3222 English Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5937 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper The World Region The World Region