Rethinking Financial Behaviour
Rationality and Resistance in the Financialization of Everyday Life
By Ariane Agunsoye
ISBN
978-1529232257Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressISBN
978-1529232271Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressISBN
978-1529232271Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University Press
Rethinking Financial Behaviour
Pension policy in the UK and US is designed on the assumption that people make informed financial decisions, consistently invest in pensions and manage diverse portfolios. Deviating from this is often deemed irresponsible and irrational. However, this assumption overlooks uncontrollable factors like caring duties, employment breaks or income limitations. Even when individuals act as expected, unpredictable market shifts can hinder long-term planning.
This book redefines deviations to “rational behaviour” as logical responses to a dysfunctional system. Challenging existing theoretical discussions and policy approaches, it proposes a fresh perspective on rationality when it comes to financial practices and policy.
“Thinking beyond the ‘rational’ investor or ‘irresponsible’ financial behaviour, Agunsoye’s interdisciplinary approach to financialisation and everyday lives offers fresh insights into how households make sense of their savings and investment decisions. By highlighting the constraints and contradictions intrinsic to the current asset-based welfare system, this book also challenges us to consider what kind of policy approaches would be required to address financial inequalities, particularly due to gender and ethnicity.” Karen P.Y. Lai, Durham University
Ariane Agunsoye is Senior Lecturer in Economics at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Part 1: Everyday Financial Subjects
1. Introduction
2. Willing and Unwilling Subjects of Everyday Financialization
Part 2: Construction of the Everyday Asset Manager
3. Normalizing Asset Accumulation
4. Becoming an Everyday Asset Manager
Part 3: Being an Everyday Asset Manager
5. The Conduct of the Everyday Asset Manager
6. The Disciplining Effect of Asset Norms
Part 4: Variegated Financial Subjectivities in the UK
7. Coping with Constraints
8. Managing Contradictions and Constraints
9. Conclusion
Appendix A: Income Thresholds and Interviewee Profiles
Appendix B: Analysis and Approach to Data
