Examines the role federal borrowing played in the economic collapse of 2008, describing the economic and political causes of the collapse, and discussing what the continuing impact of the debt and foreign borrowing will be on the United States in the twenty-first century

PrefaceAcknowledgments -- Introduction the political economy of currency choice -- A theory of currency policy preferences -- The United States : from greenbacks to gold, 1862-79 -- The United States : silver threats among the gold, 1880-96 -- European monetary integration : from bretton woods...