Summary of Slavoj Zizek's First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 The 2008 financial meltdown was a clear example of how expectations are part of the game, and how the market reacts not only to how much people trust an intervention, but also to how much they think others will trust them.

#2 The bail-out plan was met with Republican resistance because it seemed like class warfare: Wall Street versus Main Street. Why should we help those on Wall Street who were responsible for the crisis, while asking ordinary mortgage-holders on Main Street to pay the price.

#3 The bail-out plan is socialist in its aims, but it is acceptable because it helps capitalism stay afloat. Meanwhile, those who resist the bail-out are doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.

#4 The only way to create genuine prosperity under capitalism is for the rich to get richer, which means the only way to help the poor is to help the rich get richer. This is the only form of intervention needed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jul 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822548794

IRB Media

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Insights on Slavoj Zizek's First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The 2008 financial meltdown was a clear example of how expectations are part of the game, and how the market reacts not only to how much people trust an intervention, but also to how much they think others will trust them.

#2

The bail-out plan was met with Republican resistance because it seemed like class warfare: Wall Street versus Main Street. Why should we help those on Wall Street who were responsible for the crisis, while asking ordinary mortgage-holders on Main Street to pay the price.

#3

The bail-out plan is socialist in its aims, but it is acceptable because it helps capitalism stay afloat. Meanwhile, those who resist the bail-out are doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.

#4

The only way to create genuine prosperity under capitalism is for the rich to get richer, which means the only way to help the poor is to help the rich get richer. This is the only form of intervention needed.

#5

There is nothing new with regard to strong state intervention in the banking system or economy. The recent meltdown is a result of such intervention, and it was decided to make credit easier in order to redirect growth into housing.

#6

There is no such thing as a neutral market, and