Money: 5,000 Years of Debt and Power By Michel Aglietta

Title: Money: 5,000 Years of Debt and Power

Author: Michel Aglietta

Summary:

This book explores the evolution of money over 5,000 years and its intricate ties to power and society. Michel Aglietta delves into the ambivalent nature of money as both a unifying social force and a source of economic sovereignty and instability. Key topics include the role of debt in ancient civilizations, the rise and fall of the gold standard, the monetary upheavals of the 20th century, and the 2008 financial crisis. Using anthropology, history, and political economy, Aglietta also examines how monetary crises have reshaped political structures and discusses the challenges of transitioning to a new international monetary system.