The great financial crisis of 2008-12 has shown the weakness of the banks and their dependence, even in a globalised world, on support from national governments and central banks. This course looks at the history of financial crisis and the inherent contradictions of the 'debt society'. In the age of financialization each citizen is encouraged to think of himself or herself as a two-legged cost and profits centre. Does this carry within itself the seeds of its own destruction? The module aims to make the reasons for the financial crisis more intelligible and to outline some of the measures that might prevent repetition. Prior study economics is not required.