Finanzkapital, Finanzkrise und internationale Staatenkonkurrenz

In: Zeitschrift für internationale Beziehungen: ZIB, Band 16, Heft 2, S. 325-337

Abstract

Analyzing the impact of the current global financial crisis on international relations risks falling short of meaningful conclusions if the crisis is treated as a mere external shock. The current article aims at contributing to a deeper understanding of the economic forces that led to the crisis and that continue to determine states' reactions to it. First, three theses on the accumulation of financial capital are presented, based on Marx' analysis of capital. In pointing out the fundamental subsumption of all sectors of capitalist economies under the self-referential accumulation of financial capital the article does not only offer a rebuttal of the financialization theory but also attempts to explain why there is so little willingness among states to agree on stricter regulation of the financial sector. The conclusions from the first part are then applied to a brief analysis of competition and rivalry between the major economic powers as displayed in the G20 and IMF context. Adapted from the source document.