Contents

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Why publish this book? Introduction

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I Metal Money What is money - and where has it come from Origins of money - it’s not what we think Gold - the barbarous relic Inflation - Columbus and original sin Usury - the great debate The World Bank and the IMF - international expense accounts Big currencies and the euro - still dreaming of gold Money innovators 1 - Adam Smith and free trade Money innovators 2 - Keynes and what to do if money stops working

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II Money information Paper tigers - the growth of funny money and the start of banking Central banks - the old lady of Threadneedle Street Disembodied money - trading ether The stock markets - the world’s Big Bangs Insurance - the perils of keeping us safe Money flows - what goes around comes around The growth of e-cash - the rise of the electronic blip Offshore banking - where did all the money go Ownership - the hidden power of money Globalisation - rule by money

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