Booms and Busts in United States Financial Markets

Financial crises, booms and busts are an inherent part of the capitalist system. The current financial crisis that began in 2007 has reignited the debate about the causes and consequences of previous economic downturns. While some look at the differences among crises, both historical and as related to the specific mechanics of the shock triggering a crisis, others emphasize their similarities across countries and historical episodes. This paper presents an overview of the history of financial crises, primarily in the United States. The conclusion is that these crises are similar and are likely to reoccur.