Book Description

Economics, cornerstone of politics Examining politics demands understanding of economics, as the economy always influences and constrains governmental decision-making. And, money is the key to learning economics. If the monetary system is well understood, it will clarify seemingly impenetrable economic events. The History of Money for Understanding Economics is an indispensable reference to decrypt economics, and it does so in an enthralling way, from antiquity to the present day, with readily accessible language. This book answers the following questions: How did money appear? What precisely is a bank? After circulating for centuries, why did gold coins vanish? Is there anything behind the value of paper banknotes? What is inflation? What is the IMF? Is the US trade deficit sustainable? A monetary solution, rather than a political one This book joins other groundbreaking interpretations of history that have underscored the influence of the management of money. It explains how monetary changes have precipitated events from the fall of the Roman Empire to World War II and beyond. Given the historical significance of monetary changes, could a monetary breakthrough shake up the exasperating inequalities? Indeed, Lannoye challenges the reader with a monetary innovation to finance a parallel (and green!) economy which could foster a more equitable distribution of wealth.