A sweeping history that tracks the development of trade and industry across the world, from Ancient Rome to today.From the development of international trade fairs in the twelfth century to the innovations made in China, India, and the Arab world, it turns out that historical economies were much more sophisticated that we might imagine, tied together by webs of credit and financial instruments much like our modern economy.Here, Philip Coggan takes us from the ancient mountains of North Wales through Grand Central station and the great civilizations of Mesopotamia to the factories of Malaysia, showing how changes in agriculture, finance, technology, work, and demographics have driven the progress of human civilization. It's the story of how trade became broader and deeper over thousands of years; how governments have influenced economies, for good or ill; and how societies have repeatedly tried to tame, and harness, finance. More shows how, at every step of our long journey, it was the connection between people that resulted in more trade, more specialization, more freedom, and ultimately, more prosperity.

This book focuses on the achievements, current trends and further potential of microfinance to scale-up and serve many more clients with financial services that enable them to improve their living conditions. The book asks what it takes to achieve sustainable impact: to know your clients and to understand their needs, to treat them in a fair and transparent way, and to safeguard the synthesis between the financial and social dimension of sustainable microfinance. The book also sheds light on the future funding landscape and what is necessary to bring more commercial funders on board while ensuring that these new funders will continue the commitment to responsible finance. While being forward looking, the book reflects the debate on core values of microfinance, triggered by recent criticisms of an approach that was hailed as a panacea in the beginning and which had proved over time as one of the most effective models of development finance. These criticisms emerged over signs of overheating in some markets, particularly the 2010 events in Andhra Pradesh, and turned into an assumption of a worldwide microfinance crisis, putting seriously at stake the good reputation microfinance had enjoyed so far.

An examination of the role of money in a dynamic economy within the context of theoretical developments both within, and in opposition to, the Quantity Theory tradition. The book aims to integrate the most important contributions to understanding the money economy dealing with market competition and the impact of attempts by government to manipulate the economy towards high levels of employment and output. The author emphasizes the dangers of basing economic policy upon macroeconomic analysis and stresses the relevance of the market process within a dynamic theory. Steele also shows the relevance of Hayek's work to Keynesian/monetarist controversies and examines the impact of inflation upon economic activity, which arises from distortions caused to relative prices. He also explains the importance of the Ricardo effect to the business cycle and indicates the monetarist sentiment in Keynes' early work. The author considers that the legacy of the Keynesian era has been costly in terms of human welfare and that Keynes was wrong to deny the link between money and prices as established by the Quantity Theory of money. He also notes that while the most dubious aspects of Keynes' "General

In May 2010 the incoming UK Coalition Treasury Secretary was greeted by a light-hearted note from his predecessor, stating 'there is no money.' This message was relayed more seriously to the country that indeed 'we have no money' - a warning of the difficulties to come. A prime challenge to be faced is how to reduce public spending in relation to national income, while achieving a balance between a public sector that provides services that people need and also supports the functioning of a private sector that can finance a generous welfare state. Warwick Lightfoot uses his experience in government and economics to analyse the background to the current situation and sets out the potential for reform in the public sector. He shows that a large public sector can yield significant social and economic benefits, ultimately a wealthier economy with higher living standards and an economy better placed to meet the challenges of an older community in a more competitive world. "This book is a timely reminder of how little the UK's problems have to do with individual bank failures, recession and the business cycle. Warwick Lightfoot provides a clear and balanced account of the last few decades' dilemmas, controversies and policy choices; and argues convincingly that we should revisit the analysts and analyses of the 1970s as a guide to future action." Alison Wolf, Sir Roy Griffiths Professor of Public Sector Management, King's College London "All main party politicians are signed up to Mr Lightfoot's direction of travel; they should look to this book to understand why it might be a good idea to cut public spending." John Redwood MP, Chairman of the Conservative Economic Affairs Committee "A very timely book with a wide perspective and good argument." Professor Peter Sinclair, University of Birmingham "The historical causes and possible consequences of Britain's large public sector are the focus of Sorry We Have No Money. The arguments made by Warwick Lightfoot are provocative and well worth reading." Dr Graham Brownlow, Queen's University Belfast

Money, Financial Institutions and Macroeconomics presents a comparative and international perspective on the current state of research in monetary theory, and the application of monetary theory to important policy issues. The main emphasis is on views stressing the importance of credit creation in the monetary process, in a tradition which arguably encompasses Wicksell, the later Swedes and the Austrians, through the later Hicks, the circuit school and contemporary post-Keynesians. In addition, however, there are distinguished contributions from economists with a more `mainstream' approach to the issues. The book is subdivided into four main parts: Part I reviews the theory of a monetary and credit economy; Part II explores alternative views on money and credit; Part III deals with monetary policy issues in North America; and Part IV discusses monetary policy issues in Europe. `Taken together, the contributions to this volume certainly bear out Hick's famous adage about the much closer relationship between `monetary theory' and `monetary history' than is the case in other branches of economic thought.'

Written for international finance executives, economists, and policymakers, this is the first book to describe in detail the money markets of the eight major developing countries of East Asia: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. Robert F. Emery makes use of the most recent and complete data available to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each individual market and identify the main participants, the nature of the instruments used, the size of the market, and any official influences on the market. He also assesses each market in terms of its past performance, suggests possible measures to improve the market, and describes the basic ingredients for establishing a viable and growing market.

Following an introductory chapter that explains Asian money markets, the volume contains chapters on each of the eight countries that analyze their respective markets in detail. Each chapter is organized into a standard format, making it easy for the reader to locate specific information. The introductory section contains information on the country's general economy, its financial system, the structure of the money market, and significant money market developments. Subsequent sections examine individual components of the money market, such as the interbank or commercial paper market. An analytical section discusses how large a role the money market plays in the country's economy, evaluates past financial policies, and proposes future policy initiatives. The final chapter makes cross-country comparisons of the various countries' markets and indicates what lessons can be derived from the preceding analyses. Numerous explanatory tables and figures amplify points made in the text.

This book reveals the surprising role that credit, money created ex nihilo by financiers, played in raising the British government's war loans between 1793 and 1815. Using often overlooked contemporary objections to the National Debt a startling paradox is revealed as it is shown how the government's ostensible creditors had, in fact, very little "real" money to lend and were instead often reliant for their own solvency upon the very government they were lending to. By following the careers of unsuccessful loan-contractors, who went bankrupt lending to the government, to the triumphant career of the House of Rothschild; who successfully "exported" the British system of war-financing abroad with the coming of peace, the symbiotic relationship that existed between the British government and their ostensible creditors is revealed. Also highlighted is the power granted to the (technically bankrupt) Bank of England over credit and the money supply, an unprecedented and highly influential development that filled many contemporaries with horror. This is a tale of bankruptcy, stock market manipulation, bribery and institutional corruption that continues to exert its influence today and will be of interest to anyone interested in government financing, debt and the origins of modern finance.

Classical Economics, Keynes and Money casts new light on an approach to economic theory and policy that combines the modern classical theory of prices and income distribution with a Keynesian analysis of money and finance. Structured in four parts, the work considers issues within classical economics, monetary economics, Keynesian and post-Keynesian Economics, rationality and economic methodology. These themes are all central to the work of Carlo Panico, and the chapters both reflect on and build on his key contributions to the field. This collection is of interest to advanced students and researchers in the history of economic thought, monetary theory, financial economics and heterodox economics.

The existence of fiat currencies has long been cited as one of the major contributing factors to the challenges facing contemporary economies, and the current monetary system is not only a key source of exorable increases in interest rates but also a principal cause of inflation and decline in the value of money in many countries. The editors argue that an Islamic monetary system, with its specific money concepts, interest-free financial institutions, and monetary policy embedded in real growth, provides a solution to this conundrum. Contributions from many world-renowned experts consider a wide array of topics, ranging from the theoretical concepts of money and banking in conventional and Islamic economics to the historical journey of money from precious metals to plastic money and digital currency today. The book outlines the problems that sprout from interest-based banking and multiple debt structures. It then mirrors the Islamic concepts of money as well as idiosyncrasies of its monetary policy. Supported with meticulous research and empirical evidence, the book demonstrates the efficacy of Islamic monetary system in delivering real growth along with equitable distribution of wealth and prosperity in the economy. It additionally acquaints the readers with juristic debates about money and monetary policy. This is essential reading for both students and researchers in Islamic economics, banking, and finance, expertly promoting a fair and just economic system that emerges as a result of interest-free banking and monetary policy based on Islamic principles.

Contains a statement of the balance-of-payments accounting, and a critical appraisal of balance-of-payments adjustment theory. The book also features chapters on the capital account of the balance-of-payments and on the new theory of exchange rate determination (with discussion of the EMS). There is extensive and extended coverage of the UK's balance of payments position with chapters on the structural and non-price determinants of trade and the balance-of-payments as well as the link between de-industrialization and the balance-of-payments.

This book sets out, in straightforward, accessible terms, crucial aspects of monetary economics. It opens with an exposition of the fundamental question of what money is and what it does. Distinguished contributors then examine the key role of price stability and how to achieve it. Core issues addressed include: an examination of the long run effect of money on prices an analysis of the complex and variable relationship between money and fluctuations in the real economy an investigation of inflation and its dangerous consequences an analysis of the effect of regulation on the stability of financial systems in developed and developing countries the relationship between the money supply regime and economic performance the effect of monetary fluctuations on the interest rate the choice of targets for monetary policy. This book will be extremely useful to practising economists, students and scholars of financial and monetary economics.

The book investigates British, French and EU-wide responses to the Single Financial Market initiative. It outlines the contexts of the globalization of financial markets and the pressures towards competitive deregulation. The '1992' package is assessed and its differing impact in Britain and France explained by comparing the different regulatory regimes through detailed case-studies. A policy network approach is applied throughout to European integration in this field.

This book reviews nine Supreme Court cases and decisions that dealt with monetary laws and gives a summary history of monetary events and policies as they were affected by the Court's decisions. Several cases and decisions had notable consequences on the monetary history of the United States, some of which were blatant misjudgments stimulated by political pressures. The cases included in this book begin with McCulloch v. Maryland in 1819 and end with the Gold Clause Cases in 1934-5. Constitutional Money examines three institutions that were prominent in these decisions: the Supreme Court, the gold standard and the Federal Reserve System. The final chapter describes the adjustments necessary to return to a gold standard and briefly examines the constitutional alternatives.

This book charts the course of monetary policy in the UK from 1967 to 1982. It shows how events such as the 1967 devaluation, the collapse of Bretton Woods, the stagflation of the 1970s, and the IMF loan of 1976 all shaped policy. It shows that the 'monetarist' experiment of the 1980s was based on a fundamental misreading of 1970s monetary policy.

Over forty years after the formal end of colonialism, suffocating ties to Western financial systems continue to prevent African countries from achieving any meaningful monetary sovereignty. Economic and Monetary Sovereignty in 21st Century Africa traces the recent history of African monetary and financial dependencies, looking at the ways African nations are resisting colonial legacies. Using a comparative, multi-disciplinary approach, this book uncovers what went wrong after the Pan-African approaches that defined the early stages of independence, and how most African economies fell into the firm grip of the IMF, World Bank, and the EU's strict neoliberal policies. This collection is the first to offer a wide-ranging, comparative and historical look at how African societies have attempted to increase their policy influence and move beyond neoliberal orthodoxy and US-dollar dependency. Economic and Monetary Sovereignty in 21st Century Africa is essential reading for anyone interested in the African quest for self-determination in a turbulent world of recurring economic and financial crisis.

This is a comprehensive, critical introduction to the sociology of money, covering many topics, from the origins of money to its function today. Though our coins, bank notes and electronic tokens do function as means of exchange, money is in fact a social, intangible institution. This book shows that money does indeed rule the world. Exploring the unlikely origins of money in early societies and amidst the first civilizations, the book moves onto inherent liaison with finance, including the logic of financial markets. Turning to the contemporary politics of money, monetary experiments and reform initiatives such as Bitcoin and positive money, it finally reveals the essentially monetary constitution of modern society itself. Through criticizing the simplistic exchange paradigm of standard economics and rational choice theory, it demonstrates instead that money matters because it embodies social relations.

This volume presents a collection of the most important published articles in the field, including influential papers by key economists on terms of primary products, commodity price instability, stabilization programmes, trade shocks, futures markets and sectoral studies.The Economics of Commodity Markets will be an essential reference guide for students and researchers specializing in international trade and development.

This authoritative book analyses the recent problems associated with the UK's monetary system and suggests a long-term solution to control bank lending in the future. It draws on extensive historical material, discussions with former senior officials and politicians, and the perceptive insights of Gordon Pepper, an advisor to Margaret Thatcher when the foundations of monetary control were being laid, to revisit and re-examine the monetarist experiment of the 1980s. The authors argue that, in spite of the instinct of the Prime Minister, the authorities never attempted to control the supply of money in the 1980s and only paid lip service to controlling the demand for money. Extraordinary behaviour of bank lending was a significant cause of the Barber boom in the mid-1970s, of the Lawson boom of the 1980s and of the depth of the recession in the early 1990s. They assert that varying interest rates is an ineffective tool to manage lending and controversially propose that the only enduring solution is to control the banks' reserves. The authors forcefully argue that should the UK not become a member of the European Single Currency the debate surrounding monetary base control will need to be reopened. By reassessing a significant era in British economic policy and suggesting a strategy for the future, this book will be of great interest to economic historians, monetary and political economists, policymakers and investment advisers.

This book collects together the basic documents of an approach to the theory and policy of the balance of payments developed in the 1970s. The approach marked a return to the historical traditions of international monetary theory after some thirty years of departure from them - a departure occasioned by the international collapse of the 1930s, the Keynesian Revolution and a long period of war and post-war reconstruction in which the international monetary system was fragmented by exchange controls, currency inconvertibility and controls over international trade and capital movements.

This volume consists of selected previously published key essays which have proved most useful for teaching advanced monetary economics. A short introduction was added which places the selection of essays and the issues they cover in the contemporaneous context of simultaneous high inflation and high unemployment. As relevant today as they were when they were first written, they enable the reader to anticipate intelligently what is likely to happen and why.

An internationally acknowledged authority on all aspects of the theory of international trade and payments, this book collects Harry Johnson's contributions to the study of international trade, including a critique of the theory of effective protection. The book discusses: the integration of income distribution and other aspects of the economy into the positive theory of tariffs the issues raised by the use of tariffs to promote economic development the implications of distortions of various kinds in the working of competition for tariff theory and policy the costs of protection the implications of effective protection for world economic development and the economic effects of trade preferences the question of free trade and the extent to which it requires the harmonization other aspects of economic policy.

This book is a product of applying info-gap decision theory to policy formulation and evaluation in monetary economics and related domains. Info-gap theory has been applied to planning and decision problems in many areas, including engineering, biological conservation, project management, economics, medicine, homeland security, and more.

This volume demonstrates how monetary and financial organizations in the United States and abroad can be improved through a new addition to traditional monetary policy. Cooperation theory, a system developed from games theory, is shown to provide an appropriate action/reaction approach that can lead to cooperation without abandoning the free market. Institutional, theoretical, and empirical results of game theory, computer simulation, monetary theory, and policy analysis are woven together so that each reinforces the other. The text clearly stresses that although unilateral, noncooperative action may result in short-term advantage for an organization, it ultimately leads to long-term losses for all in the economic system.

"Monetary Reform and Cooperation Theory" opens with a discussion of cooperation theory. It goes on to address improving the monetary financial organization. Bureaucracy and philosophy are analyzed, along with reform in the banking industry and banking in other countries. The book concludes with issues of international creditors and debtors. This work is full of useful information for the general economist, political scientist, and layman on the complex issue of monetary reform and the positive role cooperation theory can play in this vital process.