What does financialization mean?
Sarah Cherry
Updated on May 03, 2026
Herein, what is financialization of the economy?
Financialization refers to the increasing importance of finance, financial markets, and financial institutions to the workings of the economy. Second, financialization has shaped patterns of inequality, culture, and social change in the broader society.
Additionally, how does financialization lead to income inequality? We focus on financialization as a process of income redistribution with two faces. As a consequence, financialization of the non-finance sector has led to lower employment, income transfers to executives and capital owners, and increased inequality among workers.
Just so, what is financialization of housing?
Known as the financialization of housing, the phenomenon occurs when housing is treated as a commodity—a vehicle for wealth and investment—rather than a social good. Residents are often rendered homeless, replaced by luxury housing that often stands vacant.
Why are there concerns about financialization?
Financialization almost always increases inequality. In addition, it almost always leads to financial instability and even crises. The net effect of these factors can mean that financialization can lead to economic expansion or stagnation, depending on the relative size of these factors.