Rising global debt is raising concern among economists who fear a reversal of gains made since the Great Recession. Since 2008, leverage and risk-taking in the U.S. and UK dropped in some sectors including households, but government and corporate borrowing increased. Cumulatively, world-wide debt has risen across the board, particularly in parts of the euro-zone and in emerging market economies. Debt can play a positive role and increasing levels reflect deepening access to capital. At the same time, too much debt weakens balance sheets and financial resilience, and encourages the misallocation of resources. But how much debt is too much and where do we stand today?

Moderator: Felix Salmon
Speakers: Peter Budko, Damian Lillicrap, Nouriel Roubini, Gene Sperling, Andrew Whittaker