Review of Inside Job (2010) by Ben J — 09 Jul 2016

Excellent - clearly identifies the causes of the 2008 global financial crisis: lack of regulation of the inherently risky derivatives market (as well as Wall Street bonuses, capital leverage caps & rating agencies) due to lobbyist influence and personnel bribery (through consultation fees and job offers) of the US Treasury and academic economists, and the personal dogma of advisors like Goldspan.

Sets out how the crisis developed, the consequences, the individuals, the changes promised by Obama in 2008, and the fact that the majority of these were never implemented. Derivative markets, leverage caps, ratings agencies and bonuses remain largely untouched - and "for the first time in history, average Americans have less education and are less prosperous than their parents.".

"You're gonna make an extra $2m a year, or $10m a year for putting your financial institution at risk. Someone else pays the bill, you don't. Would you make that bet? Most people on Wall Street said, 'Sure, I'd make that bet.'".