But, in both cases, the lender was distant and anonymous. American mortgages were no longer held at the local bank, but had been repackaged in esoteric financial instruments and sold around the world; likewise, Greek government debt is in large part owed to foreigners.
如果债权人远在他乡又素不相识，就会有比较强的冲动，索性违约，一了百了。2007~2008年，是购房者还不起钱，如今换成了政府。但不论是当时还是今日，债主都是遥远的陌生人。美国人的按揭并未留在本地银行的账上，而是被打包成玄奥的金融工具卖到全世界。同样地，希腊国债也有很大一部分攥在外国债主手里。