A Political Theory of Money

Money's political, institutional, and material aspects provide insight into big money questions. It is institutionalized social power that emerges from the institutionalization of social antagonisms and encapsulates a collective's productive potential in a flexible, tradable instrument. This book outlines these processes theoretically and through case studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Understanding money's nature as political, institutional, and material provides insights into today's pressing money-related questions. Money continues to be a central concern in social theory. What exactly is money? Why does something so intangible possess value? How do money systems operate, fulfilling promises akin to valuable possessions? Why are money systems consistently hierarchical yet dynamic?

The book argues that politics is the key to unraveling these mysteries. Money, it suggests, is institutionalized social power. Politics creates institutions that align with the future outcomes of political and economic collectives. Money emerges as a means to encapsulate a collective's productive potential in a flexible and tradable instrument, shaped by the institutionalization of social antagonisms.

This intricate process unfolds through hierarchical layers constructed from the inherently variable material of politics, occurring at various economic scales. This book offers a theoretical framework and case studies to explore these dynamic processes in depth.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 158 x 231 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009331463