Against Money - by J W Mason & Arjun Jayadev Hardcover

About the Book

"A powerful deconstruction of humanity's most influential invention, from the acclaimed economists J. W. Mason and Arjun Jayadev. Money is unavoidably fundamental to our daily lives. It lurks behind the swipe of a card when buying groceries; in looming student-loan debts; in the prices of things we want; and in our subconscious navigation of the modern world. Money is an invisible convenience that saves us, as a society, the hassle of bartering for goods and services-a reflection, in our pockets and on our phones, of the hard facts of scarcity and desire. Or is it something more? In this revelatory book, economists J. W. Mason and Arjun Jayadev explain how and why money is so deeply misunderstood by the world it dominates-and what the dangerous implications of this misunderstanding are. Against Money tackles the most strongly held "truths" of economics, arguing that the world of money actually never has been an impartial representation of the world of things. Instead, its existence in different forms-debt, capital, liquidity, and interest-increasingly shapes events in the real world rather than just reflecting them; sometimes opening new forms of cooperation, and sometimes exercising a malevolent domination. Human existence is not just facilitated by money, but also governed by it. Perfect for fans of Thomas Piketty and David Graeber, Against Money is an erudite, disruptive intervention against the illusions and tyrannies of money. Mason and Jayadev present a radically different way of thinking about money-imagining a hopeful future in which it no longer defines the possibilities of our collective existence"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A powerful deconstruction of humanity's most influential invention, from the acclaimed economists J. W. Mason and Arjun Jayadev.

Money is everywhere in our daily lives. It lurks in the swipe of a card at the grocery store, in looming student-loan debts, in the prices of things we want, and in our subconscious navigation of the modern world. Money is an invisible convenience that saves us, as a society, the hassle of bartering for goods and services--a reflection, in our pockets and on our phones, of the hard facts of scarcity and desire. Or is it something more?

In this revelatory book, economists J. W. Mason and Arjun Jayadev explain how and why money is so deeply misunderstood by the world it dominates--as well as the dangerous social implications of this misunderstanding. Against Money tackles the most dearly held "truths" of economics, arguing that the world of money has never been an impartial representation of the world of things. Instead, its existence in different forms--debt, capital, liquidity, and interest--increasingly shapes events in the real world rather than just reflecting them. Sometimes money enables new forms of cooperation; more oftenit facilitates domination. Human existence is not just facilitated by money but also governed by it.

In the tradition of works by Thomas Piketty and David Graeber, Against Money is an erudite, disruptive exposé of the illusions and tyrannies of money. Mason and Jayadev present a radically different way of thinking about money--imagining a hopeful future in which it no longer dictates the possibilities of our collective existence.

Review Quotes

"Against Money is an astounding achievement--a work of economic theory and history that revels in controversy and clarity. Jayadev and Mason have written the best work of its kind in decades."

-- "Zachary D. Carter, author of The Price of Peace"

"Against Money is a challenge to our traditional capitalist views of the world. Money is not everything, nor can money possibly engulf everything. As Mason and Jayadev brilliantly put it, 'when the logic of markets is extended to institutions that sustain them, markets themselves break down.' A must-read for all who seek a world beyond capitalism."

-- "Katharina Pistor, author of The Code of Capital"

"Money, we are told, is neutral--a mere veil over the 'real' economy. Against Money challenges this foundational myth."

-- "Mark Blyth, author of Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea"

"Most people have internalized very primitive concepts about the social function of money. Against Money will blow some minds."

-- "Ryan Cooper, editor of American Prospect"

"Money is a collective hallucination. Reading Against Money is like suddenly waking up and realizing you've been lying in a tank of fluid with electrodes stuck in your spine."-- "Daniel Davies, author of Lying for Money"

About the Author

J. W. Mason is associate professor of economics at John Jay College, City University of New York. He is also a fellow at the Groundwork Collective.

Arjun Jayadev is professor of economics and director of the Centre for the Study of the Indian Economy at Azim Premji University in India.