Berkowitz, M;
(2012)
The Madoff paradox: American Jewish sage, savior, and thief.
Journal of American Studies
, 46
(1)
189 - 202.
10.1017/S002187511001423.
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Abstract
Bernie Madoff perpetrated a Ponzi scheme on a scale that was gargantuan even compared with the outrageously destructive Enron and Worldcom debacles. A major aspect of the Madoff story is his rise as a specifically American Jewish type, who self-consciously exploited stereotypes to inspire trust and confidence in his counsel. Styling himself as a benefactor and protector of Jews as individuals and institutional Jewish interests, and possibly in the guise of the Jewish historical trope of shtadlan (intercessor), he was willing to threaten the well-being of all those enmeshed in his empire. The license granted to Madoff stemmed in part from the extent to which he appeared to diverge from earlier Jewish financial titans, such as Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken, in that he epitomized an absolute “insider” – as opposed to an “outsider” or marginal figure. In reality he had none of the supposedly humane virtues attributed to Jewish crooks, at least in the realm of popular culture.
Type: | Article |
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Title: | The Madoff paradox: American Jewish sage, savior, and thief |
Location: | UK |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1017/S002187511001423 |
Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021875811001423 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | © 2012 Cambridge University Press |
Keywords: | Madoff, Bernard, Madoff scandal |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Dept of Hebrew and Jewish Studies |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/620828 |
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