The Debt Delusion

Abstract

In the twenty-first century, corporations delude themselves that their operations are capitalist. In fact the high levels of debt, based on dubious assets reflect "debtism" not "capitalism". Over the ages, debt has crippled countries and economies, companies, large and small, because of biased optimism by lenders and borrowers. Debt is the most common global financial risk and needs to be controlled at Board level, even before trained executives endeavour risk management. The Debt Delusion provides a history of money and debt that should lead all Directors and executives to study recommended ways to manage debt. Management of debt will be extremely important in 2008.

About the Author

Will Slatyer has been analysing international markets since 1965, initially commodities and foreign exchange, then interest rates and stock markets. He has experience as a commodities merchant, futures broker, merchant banker and market risk consultant. Will has lectured on financial risk management in Australia, USA, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia. He is the author of five books, the most recent of which is The Speculative Strategist published by McGraw-Hill, New York in 1996. Mr Slatyer is a Sydney consultant, mainly researching climatic/cultural cycles and trading systems as a member of the Australian Professional Analysts Association.