Complexity, Risk, and Financial Markets

A groundbreaking look at complexity theory and its implications inthe world of finance Complexity theory tells us that processes with a large number ofseemingly independent agents-such as free markets-can spontaneouslyorganize themselves into a coherent system. In this fascinatingbook, Edgar Peters brings together scientific theory, the artisticprocess, and economics to show how the randomness and uncertaintyof complexity theory can be applied to financial markets. Writtenin an engaging and accessible style, this is a thoughtful,conceptual look at the way free markets are, by their nature,continually evolving complex systems. Expanding on previousexplorations of chaos theory, Peters draws on real-life examplesranging from the Asian crisis to America's love of conspiracy toshow that complexity and randomness are necessary for the freemarkets to operate in a competitive manner.