Seeking Alpha – In 1997, some observers feared an impending global recession as a result of the headwinds stemming from the Asian financial crisis. However, within two years, those fears had dissipated and were replaced with new concerns of irrational exuberance.

In contrast, the U.S. economic downturn beginning in 2008 initially appeared to be relatively benign. Most observers believed that a moderation in U.S. economic growth was essential to prevent an over-heating of the global economy. It was further believed that the problems confronting the U.S. economy were of its own making and would have little effect on global economic growth.

To be sure, some economists did forecast a U.S. recession in 2008 as a result of mounting home foreclosures. Such forecasts were however widely dismissed as being unduly alarmist during the first quarter of 2008.

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