Useful information and discussion about energy, including oil and gas, peak oil, hydrogen, alternative energy, ethanol and other biofuels, climate change, and geopolitics, from an experienced industry professional.
A service of GSW Strategy Group, LLC, providing foresight and insight in an uncertain world. Content Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 by Geoffrey S.W. Styles. All rights reserved. The views expressed here are solely those of the author.
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Gas Lines and Bank Runs
Posted on October 01, 2008
What do the recent runs on banks such as IndyMac and Washington Mutual have in common with the gas lines that have appeared in the Southeast in the aftermath of hurricanes Gustav and Ike? The correct answer, in my view, is that both reflect consumer behavior that might be rational at the individual level, but is highly counterproductive in the aggregate. Moreover, rather than demonstrating the failure of unregulated markets to protect consumers, the gas shortage in Georgia and the Carolinas has been compounded by consumer-protection, or price gouging laws that prevent the market from reducin...
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