Newsnight asked international financier George Soros about the current crisis in the capitalist system. Here is the BBC interview:

Soros: "Well I'm afraid we are not through it at all. In some ways we are heading into the storm rather than coming out of it. And right at this minute we are at the very precarious moment because the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers has thrown the financial markets into turmoil." 

Newsnight: What do you think will happen? More banks go under?

Soros: Well, certainly more banks but maybe not the size of Lehman. But right now an even larger company, American International which is an insurance company is under pressure and a rescue is being prepared and the question is whether it will be successfully put together.

Newsnight: So was it right then to step in? Do you think AIG should be rescued? Do you think Lehman should have been rescued?

Soros: Whether Lehman should have been rescued depends on whether the financial system survives it or not. If the financial system survives it, then it was the right thing to do to let them go bust. If there is a meltdown, then it wasn't because one thing is clear that you musn't allow the financial system to collapse as it did in the 1930s. They've been reluctant to put taxpayers money at risk but if necessary, I'm sure they will do it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7620198.stm