The End of Money and the Future of Civilization (text only) by T.H. Greco Jr

by Thomas H. Greco Jr.

The End of Money and the Future of Civilization [Paperback] Thomas H. Greco Jr. (Author)

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Finance, History, Politics, Business, Sustainability

Paperback

First published June 4, 2009

About the author

Thomas H. Greco, Jr. is the director of the Community Information Resource Center, which he founded in 1992. CIRC is a nonprofit consulting organization and networking hub dedicated to economic equity, social justice, and community improvement, specializing in community currency and mutual credit design, development, and implementation. He is a former engineer and professor of business administration. Tom's previous books include New Money for Healthy Communities; Money and Debt: A Solution to the Global Crisis; and Money: Understanding and Creating Alteratives to Legal Tender. His newest book is called The End of Money and the Future of Civilization. "

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! All I can say is . . . Wow! If you don't know how the current popular money system works, but you may have had your suspicions, well, this will bring it all together for you. I've read books on capitalism and taken basic economic classes, micro. and macro., but many academic books leave out the full truth. Why? Well, agendas, of course. But Mr. Greco is a searcher of the truth. Here is someone who wanted to get to the bottom of this issue, but not only that, come up with some type of solution. Whether or not the solution is viable, not my concern here. I'm just damned curious about the state of the economic nation as is. Now! And I don't want to be "like the proverbial fish that doesn't know what water is." I want to know what economic system we swim in. Because, as Greco states, "what we don't know is hurting us." And I think he's being kind. This book demystifies money, banking, and finance in the U.S. and world. What has been happening and is happening is critical to know. If you're an American with a pulse, this is essential, critical, must-know knowledge and understanding. If you call yourself an American, to not read this would be, well, un-American. Must read.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must admit being a bit disappointed. I guess I'm always hoping for the book that will point the way to a better world. Greco documents some inspiring efforts (the Mondragon Collective) and traditional structures (Balinese banjars), but seems to rely on laissez-faire market place economics to solve the major problems. That's an oversimplification, definitely, but his analysis seems to indict the particular form of capitalism, rather than capitalism itself (full disclosure: I tend toward the anarchist/socialist end of the spectrum). I like the focus on "relocalization and the emergence of economic democracy within communities", as well as the critique of globalization. There is a good summary of LETS (local exchange trading system), and an analysis of what has worked and what has led to decline/failure in previous LETS that can serve as a starting point for thinking about creating alternative economic structures in your own community. The detailed history of money will fascinate some and cause others to fast forward. Although I don't have a clear sense of "the future of civilization" after reading this book, I'm motivated to do more reading (and thinking, and acting).

[Thorsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this, very eye opening to get a proper understanding of how our present monetary system has evolved over time, from barter to commodity money to symbolic money, and now on credit money, which is created out of debt, both governmental and commercial lending. A business monopoly controls the creation and distribution of the wealth, controlled by our central banks and governments, causing inflation in the legal tender and devaluing its real spending power. This book presents the evolution of money over time and shows compelling examples of non government controlled, private and social complimentary currencies, such as during the 1930s depression, the Swiss WIR, and the Mondragon co-operatives, each of which are more balanced and create a money supply or financial system of exchange more fairly based around level of activity in the market.

[Alexander Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As prescient as ever

Written at the beginning of the Great Recession and coincidentally near the publishing of the infamous Bitcoin white paper (though the author was not aware of this concurrent development), this book distills the decades of ideas and experience of the author clearly, compellingly, and most importantly, in a non-partisan way. All the problems of the current financial system with its unholy trinity of Big Gov, Big Banks, and Big Biz have only worsened in convening decade since the book was published. While many crypto currency ventures have promised a better alternative, virtually all have gotten stuck in perverse paradigms of scarcity and/or merely propagate the same modes of financial exploitation. It’s truly a shame that all but a very select few are even aware let alone applied the excellent ideas presented in this book for constructing a fair, modern, and useful alternative currency.

Would be interested in an updated edition that comments on cryptocurrency not only in its present shortcomings but future potential.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the author's idea. Set up exchanges for business (and eventually anyone) to exchange goods and services for goods and services. It's a way to think about value without using government issued money. Three stars for repetitiveness.

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting subject and a few insightful proposals to be found here. I wanted to give the book 3 stars, but I am sobered by the author's repetitions numerous vague prognostications.

A book ahead of its time, perhaps, but not one without its own faults.

[Alfonso Botana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is there hope for the world's economic future? Greco seems to think so and he makes a pretty solid argument. It may be a work written through rose colored glasses but it's a refreshing read especially when compared to other works on the topic.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

such good info but so hard to get through.

[Alex Vasai · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read a lot of economy books but this one really bored me, it isn't that kind of book that keeps you focused on reading it.