As Jeff Madrick makes clear, the single-minded pursuit of huge personal wealth has been on the rise in the United States since the 1970s, led by a few individuals who argue that self-interest guides society more effectively than community concerns. In telling the stories of these politicians,...

Market and state -- A monetary economy -- Mainstream theory -- Heterodox traditions -- Marx's political economy -- Marx and money -- The financial state -- The golden age of steam -- German monetary policy -- UK monetary policy -- Capitalist development -- Concluding thoughts