This paper is an attempt to contribute to the discussion of research and development (R&D) capitalisation in the system of national accounts. The paper first spells out under which conditions knowledge creation truly leads to fixed assets in the national accounts sense. As a next step, R&D...

The origins of national accounting can be traced back to the 17th century. However, modern national accounts have largely developed since the late 1940s, although some initial forays commenced a couple of decades earlier. The three most important standards for the economic accounts are those for...

Preface and acknowledgments -- Introduction: Sarkozy versus GDP -- The voice of economy -- Love or money -- A Jewish economy in Palestine -- Body of the nation -- Shape of the world -- Discovering economies in British Africa -- The IMF makes the world -- Romantic responses -- Romantic political...