Fault Lines Book Summary - Fault Lines Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Fault Lines summary

How Hidden Fractures Still Threaten The World Economy

4.5 (34 ratings)
20 mins

Brief summary

Fault Lines by Raghuram G. Rajan is a non-fiction book that explores the root causes of the 2008 global financial crisis, focusing on interrelated failures of the financial and political systems. Rajan argues for policies that address inequality and tackle the underlying structural issues.

Table of Contents

    Fault Lines
    Summary of 9 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 9

    The advent of cheap loans was one fault line of the crisis, and banks and politicians were complicit.

    One of the most significant fault lines that led to the global financial crisis was growing income inequality in the United States.

    In the years leading up to the crisis, the wage gap grew. While the average income of top earners increased, the average median income stayed nearly the same. For example, in 1997, the median household income was $51,704, yet by 2009, it had barely budged to $52,196.

    Why the growing gap? Basically, the country’s workforce couldn’t meet the labor demands of the market. America needed more and more highly educated people to work in the growing technological sector, but schools weren’t producing enough qualified candidates.

    This drove the top income level up while the median stagnated. It also explains why the income gap was strongly related to education level: In 2008, the median income of a high school graduate was $28 per hour, while the median for a college undergraduate was $48, some 72 percent more.

    Every worker is a potential voter, of course; so U.S. politicians sought to do something about the problem. Seeing that their electorate needed more money, they encouraged cheap loans.

    With the support of politicians, banks began expanding easy credit, especially to low-income households. This so-called subprime lending, which we'll look at more closely later became popular, while interest rates were lowered.

    The immediate positive effects were straightforward: more spending meant more growth. Yet the growth was fueled by debt. People were essentially just postponing paying their bills.

    And as you'll see in the following blinks, this American spending spree didn’t just affect the United States but also the rest of the world.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Fault Lines?

    Key ideas in Fault Lines

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Fault Lines about?

    In Fault Lines, author Raghuram Rajan unveils the global economy’s hidden fractures that led to the 2008 financial crisis. These blinks show that greedy bankers weren’t the only ones to blame; our economic system had deep systemic flaws as well. Importantly, they outline what we can do as a society to prevent similar crises in the future.

    Fault Lines Review

    Fault Lines (2010) by Raghuram G. Rajan is a thought-provoking exploration of the underlying causes of the 2008 global financial crisis. Here's why this book is definitely worth your time:

    • It offers a fascinating analysis of the faults in the financial system, shedding light on how various factors contributed to the crisis.
    • By delving into the interplay of economics and politics, the book unveils the complexities surrounding the crisis, allowing readers to grasp its full implications.
    • Rajan's ability to present complex concepts in accessible terms ensures that even those without an extensive background in finance can understand and appreciate the book.

    Best quote from Fault Lines

    What is best for the individual actor or institution, is not always best for the system.

    —Raghuram G. Rajan
    example alt text

    Who should read Fault Lines?

    • Anyone who wants to understand the financial crisis of 2008
    • Anyone curious how future economic crises could be prevented
    • Anyone interested in global economics or international trade

    About the Author

    One of the few experts to have seen the 2008 crash coming, Raghuram G. Rajan, formerly chief economist with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is a professor of finance (on leave as of 2013) at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago and the governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

    Categories with Fault Lines

    Book summaries like Fault Lines

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    34 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Fault Lines FAQs 

    What is the main message of Fault Lines?

    The main message of Fault Lines is that economic inequality and political polarization are closely intertwined.

    How long does it take to read Fault Lines?

    The reading time for Fault Lines varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Fault Lines a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Fault Lines is worth reading as it provides insightful analysis on the causes and consequences of economic crises.

    Who is the author of Fault Lines?

    The author of Fault Lines is Raghuram G. Rajan.

    What to read after Fault Lines?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Fault Lines, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
    • This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perlroth
    • Find Your WHY by Simon Sinek
    • Principles For Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio
    • Mindf*ck by Christopher Wylie
    • Extremely Hardcore by Zoë Schiffer
    • The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway
    • Tribe of Hackers by Marcus J. Carey
    • Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
    • On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin