WUSTL economist Fazzari to discuss consumer impact on current crisis

Sept. 17, 2008 -- The current economic and financial crisis didn't happen overnight. It has been building for the past 20 years, its impact made deeper by Americans who racked up more and more consumer debt, according to economist Steven Fazzari.

Steven Fazzari

Fazzari, Ph.D., professor of economics and associate director of the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy in Arts & Sciences, will discuss the conditions that have contributed to the economic turmoil, and share his research regarding what's in store for the future in his Assembly Series presentation, "The U.S. Economy in the Consumer Age." His conclusion will cover a discussion of how, if at all, the major policy steps proposed by the presidential candidates address the deepening recession. The event, free and open to the public, will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, in the Women's Building, Formal Lounge on Washington University's Danforth Campus.

Fazzari has taught economics at Washington University since 1982, chairing its department for six years. His teaching and research focus on the financial determinants of investment and research and development spending by U.S. firms, and the foundations of Keynesian macroeconomics. Widely regarded for his teaching ability, Fazzari has received the 2002 Missouri Governor's Award for Teaching Excellence, and in 2007 the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award and the University's Distinguished Faculty Award. At Washington University he has been recognized for his teaching by the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Arts and Sciences Council, and received special recognition for excellence in mentoring graduate students. He has served in advisory positions that include the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Fazzari received a bachelor's and doctorate degrees from Stanford University.

For more information on this Assembly Series program or others, visit the Web site at http://assemblyseries.wustl.edu, or call 314-935-4620.