Firstly, there were strong parallels between the situation of 2007/08 and 1929. (Causes of Great Depression)
- High levels of personal borrowing and debt.
- Asset price bubble and bust (in the 20s this was on stock market, in 00s in house prices)
- Overconfidence in bank lending leading to rise in bad debts.
- Monetary policy too loose in preceding years.
- Ponzi schemes like B.Madoff
Recessions and the Great Depression
source: D.Marron
Of course, worse may yet come. But, what are the reasons for averting a more serious recession.
Bank Failure. This is the primary reason for the recession of 1930 turning into a major depression. It was the failure of banks which caused a 30% fall in the money supply, deflation and a loss of consumer confidence. With a few exceptions, governments have pledged to support banks. It may be expensive for tax payer.
Fiscal Deficits. Whilst we are rightly worrying about the size of government borrowing. The fiscal deficits have played a role in stabilising the downturn. If we had pursued the old orthodox model of trying to turn a £175bn deficit into a zero deficit, the fall in consumer spending and investment would have been much steeper.
Quantitative easing. Increasing money supply has reduced risk and magnitude of deflation - a powerful cause of falling output.
In some ways we learnt nothing in allowing a credit bubble and bust. But, in dealing with recessions, we have learnt something from the dark days of the 1930s.
Related
- Longest recession since Great Depression
- Definition of Depression
- Not the Great Depression - at D.Marron
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