Keystroke Capitalism

How Banks Create Money for the Few

By Aaron Sahr | Publisher: Verso Books

About the book

Why society needs to reclaim the power to create money

At the heart of capitalism lies the ability of private banks to create money at the stroke of a key. Why have we ignored this unique privilege for so long – and at what cost? Aaron Sahr attributes the lack of attention paid to money creation to the core of popular theories of capitalism, which equate economic power with capital ownership. This conceptual framework obscures the real drivers of capitalist dynamics as well as the causes of increasing inequality. 

By exploring the transformation of banking over the last half century, Sahr shows how the creation of money has driven the rise of finance as well as splitting incomes from wealth. As a result, the real economy of ordinary people has become a debt supplier to a monetary system whose returns accumulate at the top. It is not simply the markets but money itself that transfers wealth from the masses to a minority. Increasing financial inequality can therefore only be remedied by addressing predistribution – the modalities of money creation – as well as the distributive effects of the markets. By mapping this hidden regime of ‘keystroke capitalism’, Sahr makes an essential contribution to our understanding of economic inequality and capitalist dynamics.

Editions of Keystroke Capitalism

Paperback
ISBN 9781839761195
EBook
ISBN 9781839761218

Read an Excerpt

Why society needs to reclaim the power to create money

At the heart of capitalism lies the ability of private banks to create money at the stroke of a key. Why have we ignored this unique privilege for so long – and at what cost? Aaron Sahr attributes the lack of attention paid to money creation to the core of popular theories of capitalism, which equate economic power with capital ownership. This conceptual framework obscures the real drivers of capitalist dynamics as well as the causes of increasing inequality. 

By exploring the transformation of banking over the last half century, Sahr shows how the creation of money has driven the rise of finance as well as splitting incomes from wealth. As a result, the real economy of ordinary people has become a debt supplier to a monetary system whose returns accumulate at the top. It is not simply the markets but money itself that transfers wealth from the masses to a minority. Increasing financial inequality can therefore only be remedied by addressing predistribution – the modalities of money creation – as well as the distributive effects of the markets. By mapping this hidden regime of ‘keystroke capitalism’, Sahr makes an essential contribution to our understanding of economic inequality and capitalist dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Keystroke Capitalism about?

Why society needs to reclaim the power to create money

At the heart of capitalism lies the ability of private banks to create money at the stroke of a key. Why have we ignored this unique privilege for so long – and at what cost? Aaron Sahr attributes the lack of attention paid to money creation to the core of popular theories of capitalism, which equate economic power with capital ownership. This conceptual framework obscures the real drivers of capitalist dynamics as well as the causes of increasing inequality. 

By exploring the transformation of banking over the last half century, Sahr shows how the creation of money has driven the rise of finance as well as splitting incomes from wealth. As a result, the real economy of ordinary people has become a debt supplier to a monetary system whose returns accumulate at the top. It is not simply the markets but money itself that transfers wealth from the masses to a minority. Increasing financial inequality can therefore only be remedied by addressing predistribution – the modalities of money creation – as well as the distributive effects of the markets. By mapping this hidden regime of ‘keystroke capitalism’, Sahr makes an essential contribution to our understanding of economic inequality and capitalist dynamics.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Keystroke Capitalism?

Economics, Finance, Business and Management > Economics > Political economy

Where can I read a sample of Keystroke Capitalism?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781839761195

Is Keystroke Capitalism part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Futures

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Keystroke Capitalism?

Aaron Sahr

Who is the Publisher of the book Keystroke Capitalism?

Verso Books

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Keystroke Capitalism is available as paperback(ISBN 9781839761195) and ebook(ISBN 9781839761218)

Where can I buy Keystroke Capitalism online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Keystroke Capitalism from below

Where can I buy Keystroke Capitalism?