The Case for a Debt Jubilee

We were drowning in in record levels of debt before the COVID-19 crisis, and we are now deluged in it. U.S. private-sector loans have tripled relative to income since 1950 – and government debt is also at an all-time high. Soaring debt burdens individuals, stifles growth, compounds inequality, and brings falling living standards for millions.

Richard Vague’s new book argues that, contrary to mainstream assumptions, we cannot simply hope that the trend will correct itself. Mounting debt is a feature of our economic system, not a bug: debts perpetually grow and compound, polarizing and impoverishing economies if not overtly dealt with. He offers a detailed plan for how we can restructure a range of debts – such as student loans, auto loans, medical debt and more – and offer hard-pressed debtors a ‘jubilee’ now, not in some utopian future.

Vague’s bold polemic contains a wealth of ideas that will free millions from modern-day debt peonage, reduce inequality and bring new vigor to the economy as it struggles to emerge from the pandemic.

Chapter 1 High Levels of Private Debt Stifle the Economy

Chatper 2 The Paradox of Debt

Chapter 3 Policy Solutions that Won’t Work

Chapter 4 The Path to Private Debt Jubilee

Chapter 5 The Enigma of Government Debt

Epilogue Concluding Thoughts

Appendix

Works Cited

Wall Street Journal Best Seller

“Drawing on his experience as a practitioner and his expertise as a scholar, Richard Vague makes a compelling and timely case that private debt can be as dangerous as the government debt that gets most of the attention in public debate. Policymakers should pay heed.”
Professor Michael Lind, University of Texas at Austin

“If a radical economist or politician called for a Debt Jubilee, you may well think `he would say that, wouldn't he?’. But if a successful banker like Richard Vague calls for it? Then you should listen. Read this book and see how the USA could recharge its economic liberty and vitality via debt forgiveness.”
Professor Steve Keen, Honorary Professor, UCL & ISRS Distinguished Research Fellow

"Vague offers practical and politically feasible ways to reduce debt burdens."
Dollars and Sense Richard Vague is Secretary of Banking and Securities for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.