Just before Christmas I mentioned that I was thinking about writing a book on money and its role in funding the government. The idea appeared to be well received here, and I was grateful for the many comments that were made.
In that case I thought it only fair to report that I will be delivering an outline plan of the book to my literary agent today, and one publisher has already expressed serious interest in it.
Writing this plan has distracted me from some of the things that I might have wanted to have do on this blog in the last week or so, including addressing the issue of whether QE creates new money or not, and continuing the series on audit reform and the taxation of wealth. However, I hope that I will be excused given the apparent popularity of this project.
I should add due warning, however. Even if I write as quickly as it is my habit it is very unlikely that this book will be on the shelves for Christmas. That's just the way that publishing works.
And for the record, the working title is none of those that were suggested.
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It may not be considered appropriate but, if it is, many of us would be interested in a synopsis.
In due course…when agreed
Oh come on -please!
I think we all remember you mentioning the book and your other projects. It’s alright by me. And you’re doing Twitter.
I do guilt…
I suppose that your title will be a riposte to the Bank of England:
“Yes we can just print more money”
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No, that will definitely not be the case
The issue is much more complex than that
I would rather hope the BoE will recognise that as well but at present they deny they have any role inn funding the government
This is good news, Richard.
In the British context, such a book is long overdue. On basic, dare one say fundamental matters, the level of general understanding of as important a matter as how the government finances work is woeful. And some politicians positively wallow in their ignorance, relying on cosy little homilies that belong with the fairies when they have to address economic/financial matters.
In this vital area, it’s time for a change indeed!
Eh? Are you sure on this one? Arenāt they just saying they donāt make policy. Thatās a sort of lie as well, but sort of defensible, but no role in financing government is more akin to saying the governor doesnāt breathe oxygen.
Put me down for one. Look out Levy – the Brits are coming!
Might we ask what the working title is?
An infectious meme would really help spread the word, and plenty ppl are beginning to question.
Anyway, looking fwd to it.
Not yetā¦..sorry
As a regular reader of your blog, I look forward to reading the book when it’s available. I suspect key to its success will be a title that entices people to read it if they are from a neoliberal stance. You don’t want to just preach to the converted.
As I’m sure you know, people tend to read things that confirm their existing beliefs.
How about something like, “There is a Magic Money Tree- but can we afford it?”.
I think I have itā¦.but publishers have a big say on such things
No! Please do not mention ‘magic money tree’. It’s a death sentence. It’s not magic.
Magic is actually deception isn’t it when you consider how magicians work? Deception is an abuse or manipulation of perception.
What we are discussing here is REALITY. A reality that has a logic of its own. What we are talking about is a sovereign power that only those who reject that power deny (Neo-lib/Libertarian/anti-state market fundamentalists politicians/economists and the rather more stupid go along to get along economists).
What about ‘The Joy of Cash’?
I tried ‘The Joy of ….’ but I am not sure
And there will be no mention of trees if I can avoid it
How about āMoney, Money, Money…ā?
Well, that one is good ā¦.
Today I was trying to discover the cycle of VacFunding. Perhaps that could be one of your models.
Who actually pays for them and their distribution? The NHS have no money. Most people have no spare money.
There must be many backhanders to politicians to promote this vast control /population reduction plan.
I would imagine that even the Supreme Court have also been told not to support the people.
Thanks for all your work !
I must admit you have lost me with this oneā¦..
Jenny Meade.
You may be looking for something that doesn’t exist.
When I was a lad…….money was the stuff that jingles in your pocket and caused holes in the pocket. When I started work it was something you queued up for every week and was given to you in a little packet. Never gave a thought to where it came from or how it expanded with the growth of the economy and population. Also it was also magically linked to gold, or the Country’s amount of gold, Bank of England, Fort Knox etc. How times have changed! Money now is held on piece of plastic, in your mobile phone (wristwatch!) or even in your head of you are good at remembering numbers. A modern economy just runs on numbers being transferred digitally anywhere to anyone. Money is the lubricant of life. From reading your blog Richard I now have some understanding of how MMT describes how money is created and how a modern economy works. Look forward to reading any book you may write.
Thanks
Very much looking forward to your book and I for one shall buy a couple of extra copies for chosen friends
I sincerely hope it will be called There is a Magic Money Tree!
Definitely not!