What Has Government Done to Our Money?

By: Murray Rothbard

Finished: 7/28/2024

What’s it about:  As the name says, a history of government debasement and systemic takeover of the currency and financial systems. 

Main takeaway:  One of the classics of Austrian economics, he describes in short but great detail the history of government takeover of the money supply.  He also details how it never works as planned, as the idea of “fixing” anything in the money system has always been a pipe dream.  Interestingly, he also alludes to how this has cause world wars (II). 

He concludes with a desire to return to free market decisions making and a fixed standard of currency. 

In short, there are no long term examples of the government stepping in and making the system “better”.  

An interesting work and I would love to hear the counter opinion.