Consider one or more of the following questions to reflect on at the end of Subtopic 6.2. Discuss with another student or in a small group, or record (written, audio, video) your response.
Section 6.2.2 uses housing as an example of how the same thing can be treated as either a human need or a financial asset. In your country or city, is housing more often treated as a need or as an asset? What evidence do you see of this in everyday life, and what are the consequences for people who cannot afford to buy or rent a home?
Section 6.2.3 shows that financial power shapes who gets access to money and who does not. If you were designing a financial system from scratch, what three rules would you put in place to make sure access to finance was fairer? What would be the hardest rule to enforce, and why?
Section 6.2.4 and Section 6.2.5 together show that debt and financialisation tend to shift risk and responsibility onto individuals. Think about student loans specifically: who benefits from this system, who carries the risk, and what would a fairer alternative look like?
Section 6.2.6 describes how financial flows drive planetary boundary overshoot, while ecological damage in turn threatens financial systems. Does this mean the financial system will eventually be forced to change, or are there reasons why it might continue on its current path despite the risks?
Economist Ann Pettifor describes commercial bank credit as 'easy and dear', meaning it is easy for banks to create, but expensive for borrowers to repay. Why do you think she calls this the worst combination? Who benefits from this arrangement, and who is harmed by it?