The financial crisis of 2008 was caused by a surplus of savings in certain countries, leading to imprudent lending practices and a rise in commodity prices. Unlike the 1980s crisis, the current crisis has seen Western financial systems struggling and relying on bailouts as the norm. The difference in outcomes is due to differences in financial structures. In the 1970s, offshore branches of Western banks were involved in recycling surpluses, while today's crisis involves more systemic threats to the global economy.