Abstract
The new classical macroeconomics and mathematical finance have both failed to anticipate the present crisis or explain why the present crisis is so severe. This is because they only considered pure market economies devoid of institutions and without concern for historical and structural transformations in contemporary economies. This opens the door to a political economy analysis of the transformations in socio-political alliances since the demise of the Fordist growth regime. The shift toward market-based financial systems, financial liberalization, and globalization, gave unprecedented power to international financiers and has led to the current economic and financial crisis. Controlling finance requires resolute action by public authorities and the pressure of citizen social movements. Financial re-regulation is closely related to the relative bargaining power of nation-states and international finance. International comparisons (e.g., North American and German capitalisms) suggest that this is a possible path.
Notes
this term relates to mathematicians, physicists and statisticians who have joined Wall Street and the City in order to optimize investment and potfolio management.