1929 and 2008: Two Crashes, One Cause

Draws parallels between the Financial Meltdown of 2008 and the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Argues that both were ultimately the result of technological change with electrification being the root cause of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and factory automation and outsourcing being the cause of the current financial meltdown/crash. Shows how in both cases, money income was insufficient to sustain full employment and how Republican Administrations set out to resolve the problem (Hoover with commercial policy in 1929, Reagan and Bush in the 1980's with disguised fiscal policy in the form of mortgage securitization). Provides estimates of the income and expenditure shortfall from 1984 to 2009 in the range of $5 to $7 Trillion, which is shown to correspond to the extent of the sub-prime mortgage debacle. Concludes by discussing the various policy options available to the Obama Administration.