The Theory of Monetary Institutions covers free banking monetary thought and a theoretical account of the evolution of monetary institutions.

This first volume in a three-volume exposition of Shubik's vision of "mathematical institutional economics" explores a one-period approach to economic exchange with money, debt, and bankruptcy. This is the first volume in a three-volume exposition of Martin Shubik's vision of "mathematical institutional economics"--a term he coined in 1959 to describe the theoretical underpinnings needed for the construction of an economic dynamics. The goal is to develop a process-oriented theory of money and financial institutions that reconciles micro- and macroeconomics, using as a prime tool the theory of games in strategic and extensive form. The approach involves a search for minimal financial institutions that appear as a logical, technological, and institutional necessity, as part of the "rules of the game." Money and financial institutions are assumed to be the basic elements of the network that transmits the sociopolitical imperatives to the economy. Volume 1 deals with a one-period approach to economic exchange with money, debt, and bankruptcy. Volume 2 explores the new economic features that arise when we consider multi-period finite and infinite horizon economies. Volume 3 will consider the specific role of financial institutions and government, and formulate the economic financial control problem linking micro- and macroeconomics.

Money, Financial Institutions and Macroeconomics presents a comparative and international perspective on the current state of research in monetary theory, and the application of monetary theory to important policy issues. The main emphasis is on views stressing the importance of credit creation in the monetary process, in a tradition which arguably encompasses Wicksell, the later Swedes and the Austrians, through the later Hicks, the circuit school and contemporary post-Keynesians. In addition, however, there are distinguished contributions from economists with a more `mainstream' approach to the issues. The book is subdivided into four main parts: Part I reviews the theory of a monetary and credit economy; Part II explores alternative views on money and credit; Part III deals with monetary policy issues in North America; and Part IV discusses monetary policy issues in Europe. `Taken together, the contributions to this volume certainly bear out Hick's famous adage about the much closer relationship between `monetary theory' and `monetary history' than is the case in other branches of economic thought.'

'Randall Wray's two volumes provide a bright beacon in a darkening night of turmoil, confusion and ignorance. By bringing together classics from both the mainstream and heterodox approaches to monetary theory and policy, Wray provides a fundamental resource for the urgently needed rethink on how the interrelated world of monetary production economies functions or misfunctions, and also a basis for the development of a sound theory on how to erect effective policies for tackling major, potentially disastrous problems.' - Geoffrey Harcourt, University of New South Wales, Australia This authoritative two-volume collection brings together the most important contributions to theories of money and banking written over the past century. Professor Wray covers a number of key topics including the historical debates about the nature of money, the role money and financial institutions play in the economy and monetary policy formation. A wide variety of approaches to money and banking are featured, among which are Monetarist, Keynesian, Marxian, Post-Keynesian and Institutionalist, and the New Monetary Consensus. Also included are a number of chapters presenting General Equilibrium, Chartalist or State Money, and Circuitiste views. In addition to the views of economists, this well-rounded set incorporates historical, sociological and anthropological approaches to money as well as theoretical topics such as interest rate, inflation rate, and exchange rate determination. This collection, along with an original introduction by the editor, will be of immense value to anyone with an interest in the field of money and banking.