I like to use the analogy of the economy as a huge, 3-dimensional machine with billions or trillions of parts working together, something like a complex system of gears and rods of various sizes moving it along. The parts are made up of anything and everything that is related to the economy; countries, industries, businesses, mom-and-pop shops and individuals like you and me. It can endure some kinks here and there, and the machine itself is dynamic whereby if some parts are damaged or gone, it will tune itself to suit the current situation. The economic machine would require one important item that enables it to run smoothly, and it is a lubricant called liquidity. The lubricant oils the machine at many different points, and in turn cascades down to other parts, like a champagne pyramid.
The global crash of 2008/2009 was a liquidity crisis, during which there was...