American capitalism has undergone a transformation into a system that might more properly be called “uncapitalism”. The real economy now serves the financial sector, instead of vice versa. Investment shortfalls and overheated financial markets have contributed to stagnant productivity and wages, declining international competitiveness and rising wealth inequality.
In a new American Compass report, we analyse nearly 50 years of public-company financial data and show that firms neither tap financial markets to fund growth nor reliably reinvest in their own health — which is what traditional models expect and what they once did.
Recommended Reading
At SVB, the Market Was the Failure
The market failure is that market actors are fallible and their efforts at pursuing their own interests do not necessarily lead smoothly to efficient outcomes that serve themselves or the common good.
Talkin’ (Policy) Shop: Public Pension Accountability
On this episode, Oren Cass and Chris Griswold discuss the need for transparent reporting requirements for public pension funds.
Policy Brief: Public Pension Accountability
Require transparency in management of public money
