Finance/Money

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Articles, Resources, Videos, Recommended Reading

How do the world's nations feel about a global currency? China and Russia have repeatedly called for a new global currency to replace the dollar. And Pope Benedict  recently called for a ‘world political authority’ to manage the global economy. A global currency would be a key central plank of a future system of world government.

Nations give up some of their national sovereignty when they join with others in a trade or political pact. For instance, the European Union started out as a free trade zone and has established considerable political integration over a period of several decades. As part of this unification the Euro was developed and has held its own against the pound.

So, should we have a single currency or more than one currency? Many people believe that having multiple currencies creates a banking scandal whereby bankers make money from moving money around currencies and lending people money at high interest rates so that they can't afford to pay them back.  

Will our future planet need more than one monetary system?

THE Future of finance The LSE Report

Nef: A Bit Rich: Calculating the real value to society of different professions
Nef: The Ecology of Finance: An alternative white paper on banking and financial sector reform November 2009
Nef: The Great Transition
The first report of A Green New Deal: Joined-up policies to solve the triple crunch of the credit crisis, climate change and high oil prices
The second report of A Green New Deal: Why spending on a Green New Deal will reduce the public debt, cut carbon emissions, increase energy security and reduce fuel poverty
United Nations Economic and Social Council: Analytical Background study (Mutual accountability and aid transparency)
United Nations Economic and Social Council: Support to UN Development Cooperation Forum 2010

Videos:

Books We Recommend:

Deglobalization – Ideas for a New World Economy By Walden Bello
How to manage the global economy - and, more fundamentally, whether humanity wishes it to go in an ever more market-oriented, transnational corporation-dominated, and capital-footloose direction - is the most important international question of our time. The author points out the failings of groups such as The World Bank, IMF, WTO and G7. He examines the major new ideas put forward for reforming the management of the world economy and argues for a much more fundamental shift towards a decentralized, pluralistic system of global economic governance allowing countries to follow development strategies sensitive to their own values and particular mix of constraints and opportunities. Google Books Preview

Another World is Possible By William F Fisher and Thomas Panniah
Many believe that there are no alternatives to globalisation as we know it-with its world of giant corporations in the driving seat, dominating a "free" market in reality shaped in accordance with their dictates, and elevating economics over all other human considerations and values. But there are alternatives. And the global justice movement is giving voice to them. In this remarkable collection, the compilers have brought together some of the most important themes and voices which these rapidly growing, diverse citizens' movements have expressed at the World Social Forum. Google Books Preview

Fool's Gold By Gillian Tett
In “Fool’s Gold,” Tett describes how a small group of bankers at storied J. P. Morgan built a monster that got out of control and helped destroy much of their industry. She shows us the financial world through the eyes of her talented but short-sighted subjects: geniuses at math and marketing, they thought they had discovered how to defy the laws of nature.

When Money Dies: The Nightmare of the Weimar Hyper-Inflation By Adam Fergusson
A complete account of the period of hyper-inflation suffered by the German public during the 1920s. Adam Fergusson creates a public eye-view using eye-witness accounts and social commentary from the ordinary people struggling to survive in a crippled economy. This is essential reading for all and highlights the incompetence of governments looking for the easy option during periods of growing unrest and unemployment.