Of Banks and Crisis

"Poor bankers! Poor economists! You won''t see people at their windows and on their balconies clapping for members of these two professions. Economists are decried for never having anticipated crises. Blame is levelled at bankers, perceived as blind to the obvious and driven by greed. Given the constant trial by media to which the two professions are subjected, Cristina Peicuti''s and Jacques Beyssade''s book gives the floor to the defence. It is not because the authors are beholden to corporate interests, but because they are motivated by their desire to understand and take action. The relevance of these criticisms, occasional or recurrent, is not being challenged. The authors'' purpose is to analyse the behaviours and mistakes that may have given rise to these reproofs, and identify changes that would enable both professions to contribute more effectively and in a timely manner to the common good"--