Too many risks, too few rewards: Fresh thinking on the limits of free markets

For a system that supposedly conquered the world in 1990, free-market capitalism doesn't look so good any more. After Mexico, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Russia, which of capitalism's self-appointed disciples will stumble next? And who is to blame? The track record has embarrassed all but hard-liners into thinking there might be a Third Way - between free capital flows with floating exchange rates and the dirigiste controls of the 1960s. Chile, China, James Tobin - they've all been held to ridicule for their batty market ideas. But today it's not just bleeding-hearts and socialists who are looking at their attempts more closely. Michelle Celarier reports.

Global capital turns nasty

Capitalism and serfdom

The spectre of intervention

Can the IMF play supercop?

Throwing good money after bad

A breathing space for the IMF

Imagine yourself in an economics class, handed a pop quiz on the fundamentals of international finance with the following true-false statement: “When capital is allowed to flow freely across borders, it goes to the most productive investments.”

Dutifully remembering Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, you might be tempted to answer “true”.

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