Episodes

  • What are bonds for?

    What are bonds for?
    Oct 1 2024
    Bonds are just like IOUs. Companies will issue bonds when they want to raise extra money. Prof Steve Keene explains how much of that money sued to come from banks, but now it often comes from investors buying bonds for the guaranteed percentage return they provide over their lifetime. So, do government bonds work the same way. Not quite, but they are tied to government spending and any attempt to reduce that spending and eradicate a government deficit will reduce the bonds available, something that will be particularly felt by banks and the finance sector.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    6 mins
  • What do central banks do?

    What do central banks do?
    Sep 24 2024
    Central banks, like the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve in the US, have been in the news a lot lately. Why? Because they have been messing with interest rates. But when they’re ot doing that, what’s their day-to-day job. Prof Steve Keen explains how the most important role of central banks is acting as the bank for commercial banks, like Lloyds and Barclays.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    5 mins
  • Inflation - is it always a bad thing?

    Inflation - is it always a bad thing?
    Sep 17 2024
    Until the pandemic struck a while generation grew up with little concern about inflation. Now, all of a sudden prices and rising and we are all feeling the impact. So what exactly is inflation, is it really falling and are there times when inflation can be a good thing?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    4 mins