By using empirical understanding and new policy data, this important new title investigates the world-wide economic crisis. The global recession has had a truly international reach, with repercussions reverberating throughout nations and across societies. The book examines the overall causes of the crisis and the failures of mainstream economics, and analysis the rising tide of poverty and social inequality resulting from the recession. It also examines the relationship between the crisis and economic systems, and examines the evolution of the global monetary system and history of central banking. Finally, it delves into BRICS with a particular focus on China and India, as well as Europe and the US. This work will be of interest to researchers, students and academics in economics and policy.