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generalheff's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book's optimistic defence of capitalism - something few authors would be willing to do so unashamedly. The author summarises all the major roles in capitalism (brokers, accountants and so on) but with a focus on the moral purpose of those actors, before going into a more manifesto-like exploration of ways finance could be improved.
I've watched Robert Shiller's lectures from Yale and was captivated by his thoroughly good-natured manner and positivity. This, combined with his intellectual clout and use of behavioural economics, I think make him extremely well placed to extol why finance is so integral to the good society. This is most clearly achieved by describing the financial innovations that have improved people's lives but that, through lack of knowledge of history or lack of understanding entirely, people simply aren't aware of. It also pushes back and challenges lazy conceptions along the lines of "bankers are evil" or or no value to society, showing how important the financial edifice is to us all.
Perhaps the key feature of this book that makes it great is how the author repeatedly describes ways in which finance could be improved. This is not a vapid book full of air but no concrete ideas. As you'd expect from a Nobel prize winner, this book is full of interesting thoughts - such as linking debt to GDP and not interest rates to better align debt with economic conditions - that really made me hopeful that innovation could solve many of the problems financial capitalism is held up to cause.
The book is not perfect and I ummed and ah'd about whether or not to give it three stars. I found some of the optimism a little saccharine at times while this, combined with a lack of strong criticism of the clear excesses in the business and finance sectors (at least of some), feels a little naïve at times. In addition, those not versed in the basics of finance (options, derivatives, the inner workings of mortgages) might found the first half of the book pretty challenging: this is an ideological book for those with some knowledge and certainly not an introduction to finance.
However, these flaws aside, I couldn't fault the book's central message that finance is critical to the functioning of a good society - through its role in allowing humans to achieve their goals - and a key corollary of this - that financial innovation is crucial to improving the world rather than overthrowing capitalism entirely. A well-informed statement of capitalism's benefits - while perhaps a little soft in its treatment of capitalism's failings - is, I believe, an important statement in a world so angry and critical at the system that has benefited most of us and, through further improvements, could benefit us more.
I've watched Robert Shiller's lectures from Yale and was captivated by his thoroughly good-natured manner and positivity. This, combined with his intellectual clout and use of behavioural economics, I think make him extremely well placed to extol why finance is so integral to the good society. This is most clearly achieved by describing the financial innovations that have improved people's lives but that, through lack of knowledge of history or lack of understanding entirely, people simply aren't aware of. It also pushes back and challenges lazy conceptions along the lines of "bankers are evil" or or no value to society, showing how important the financial edifice is to us all.
Perhaps the key feature of this book that makes it great is how the author repeatedly describes ways in which finance could be improved. This is not a vapid book full of air but no concrete ideas. As you'd expect from a Nobel prize winner, this book is full of interesting thoughts - such as linking debt to GDP and not interest rates to better align debt with economic conditions - that really made me hopeful that innovation could solve many of the problems financial capitalism is held up to cause.
The book is not perfect and I ummed and ah'd about whether or not to give it three stars. I found some of the optimism a little saccharine at times while this, combined with a lack of strong criticism of the clear excesses in the business and finance sectors (at least of some), feels a little naïve at times. In addition, those not versed in the basics of finance (options, derivatives, the inner workings of mortgages) might found the first half of the book pretty challenging: this is an ideological book for those with some knowledge and certainly not an introduction to finance.
However, these flaws aside, I couldn't fault the book's central message that finance is critical to the functioning of a good society - through its role in allowing humans to achieve their goals - and a key corollary of this - that financial innovation is crucial to improving the world rather than overthrowing capitalism entirely. A well-informed statement of capitalism's benefits - while perhaps a little soft in its treatment of capitalism's failings - is, I believe, an important statement in a world so angry and critical at the system that has benefited most of us and, through further improvements, could benefit us more.
shayneh's review against another edition
3.0
Some well thought out and articulately described points from a guy who knows what he's talking about. Finance as stewardship is a good idea, and this book talks all about it.
kazmx's review against another edition
5.0
Finance and the Good Society was a well thought out and articulate collection of essays from the author.
It is a little idealistic, but Schiller message is that wealth is a function of a functioning financial system that allow us to be productive in an organized coordinated framework. Finance is needed and as much as there is injustice that has been uncovered, the system as a whole is definitely required.
All in all an enjoyable book, though perhaps with heightened emotions it will be championed or angrily dismissed by many right now.
It is a little idealistic, but Schiller message is that wealth is a function of a functioning financial system that allow us to be productive in an organized coordinated framework. Finance is needed and as much as there is injustice that has been uncovered, the system as a whole is definitely required.
All in all an enjoyable book, though perhaps with heightened emotions it will be championed or angrily dismissed by many right now.
venkyloquist's review against another edition
3.0
At a time when the world is reeling under the spell of the worst ever economic crisis since the Great Depression of 1929, the financial domain has come in for some scathing and loathsome attack (much of it deserved) for the blatant ills promulgated and propagated by its practitioners in a shameless manner.
Robert Schiller, one of the most respected and prescient economists plying his wares today, offers, in this book a set of measures and means by which Finance can be restored to a pedestal of respectability and trust. By exhorting the concept of democratization of the whole spectrum of Finance, Schiller argues that the road to economic prosperity lies in the facets of transparency, innovation, comprehension and reciprocal trust.
Set out in two halves, the first part of the book deals with the indispensable roles and responsibilities of a whole gamut of market participants such as investment bankers, regulators, traders, financial engineers, insurers, lobbyists, lawyers, regulators, public goods financiers and the likes. The latter half of the book explores the discontent of Finance and measures to ameliorate if not obliterate such discontent. Employing a blend of common sense suggestions and radically innovative solutions, Schiller strives to rid Finance of its stigma with a view to make the interconnected economic world a better and more trustworthy place to live and transact.
"Finance and The Good Society" - A manual for resurrection of trust.
Robert Schiller, one of the most respected and prescient economists plying his wares today, offers, in this book a set of measures and means by which Finance can be restored to a pedestal of respectability and trust. By exhorting the concept of democratization of the whole spectrum of Finance, Schiller argues that the road to economic prosperity lies in the facets of transparency, innovation, comprehension and reciprocal trust.
Set out in two halves, the first part of the book deals with the indispensable roles and responsibilities of a whole gamut of market participants such as investment bankers, regulators, traders, financial engineers, insurers, lobbyists, lawyers, regulators, public goods financiers and the likes. The latter half of the book explores the discontent of Finance and measures to ameliorate if not obliterate such discontent. Employing a blend of common sense suggestions and radically innovative solutions, Schiller strives to rid Finance of its stigma with a view to make the interconnected economic world a better and more trustworthy place to live and transact.
"Finance and The Good Society" - A manual for resurrection of trust.
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