It is striking that many sociologists observe that their discipline has failed to establish an adequate intellectual framework for the systematic analysis of money. This led Geoffrey Ingham to speak of an "Underdevelopment of the sociology of money" (Ingham in Sociologica 41(10): 3-18 1998).

In keeping with the dual nature of the monetary relationship, crises may take on two polar-opposite forms: the resurgence of either centralising or fragmenting trends. Both also upset the fragile balance that the hierarchised system has brought about. But, contrary to what a casual inspection...

This book endeavours to throw light on the phenomenon of money in general in an essentially comparative and therefore concrete way and not from a universalist, dogmatic and abstract standpoint. To do this, it apprehends monetary relations within the particular society to which they belong.

[fre] L'idée centrale, qui fonde l'analyse de la spéculation financière menée par J.M. Keynes dans la Théorie Générale, est que l'anticipation du spéculateur est une anticipation quant à l'opinion des autres opérateurs sur le cours boursier de la période suivante. On peut...

Classical microeconomics is intended to explain how a price system is able to coordinate the economic agents. But even if it can be extended to incomplete information and externalities, it remains grounded on very heroic assumptions. Agents are endowed with a very strong rationality, equilibrium...

[spa] La industria francesa frente a los apremios de cambio monetario - A más de su aparente desorden, las peripecias monetarias traducen una realidad fundamental : el poner a debate las modalidades del crecimiento que impera desde de la ultima guerra y sus formas institucionales. En este...

[fre] En matière de commerce extérieur, les positions fortes de la France et du Royaume-Uni sont disséminées au sein du système industriel. A l'inverse, les produits pour lesquels le Japon et l'Allemagne fédérale sont nettement excédentaires peuvent être regroupés à l'intérieur...

The number of central banks in the world is approaching 180, a tenfold increase since the beginning of the twentieth century. What lies behind the spread of this economic institution? What underlying process has brought central banks to hold such a key role in economic life today? This book...