People Money: The Promise of Regional Currencies - Softcover

"PEOPLE MONEY is a comprehensive , real-time survey of all the robust, viable local currencies and credit-systems emerging worldwide .These are now vital to provide safety-nets as citizens cope with the assaults of "austerity" policies of "technocrats" guided by defunct economics and what behavioural scientists call "theory-induced blindness". Economics was never a science and monetary policies based on its failed models are causing such widespread harm that the sensible solutions described in this book are now coming to light. This book is vitally important, not only to NGOs and concerned citizens , but also required reading for bankers, financiers and all economy policymakers looking for saner alternatives." Hazel Henderson, author of Building A Win-Win World, creator of the Green Transition Scoreboard, President , Ethical Markets Media (USA and Brazil), producer of the TV show "The Money Fix". "PEOPLE MONEY is the single most useful and empowering book I have encountered for those wanting to get involved in the complementary currency movement. Its diverse real-life examples and insightful 'how-tos', embedded in deep theoretical understanding, will surely make it essential reading for activists, policy-makers, and economists interested in localization and sustainability." Charles Eisenstein, Author of Sacred Economics

Three authors with decades of experience have teamed up to provide an up-to-date, state-of-the art field guide to the emerging movement of regional currencies. People Money describes a global movement of people creating their own currencies to support regional business and strengthen their communities. These currencies operate legally alongside Bank Money and Government Money, giving people new choices in an age of transition from outworn financial structures to an era of sustainable abundance. Part One explains the characteristics and purpose of the various models of commercial- and community-oriented currencies, the administration and governance of the currencies, how to cooperate with other financial institutions, clearing systems and the issue of taxation. Part Two focuses on the 'how to' of developing a regional currency, outlining the key principles and design processes, and the benefits that have accrued as a result of their implementation. Finally, the book profiles and interviews some of the leading organisers of regional currencies around the world, explaining their driving passion and the nuances of each of the models - how the currency started, how it developed, the difficulties encountered on the journey, and how these were overcome. The currencies profiles include: Brixton Pound in London; The Business Exchange in Scotland; Blaengarw Time Centre in South Wales; Community Exchange System in South Africa; Chiemgauer in Germany; BerkShares, Equal Dollars, Ithaca HOURS and Dane County Time Bank in the USA; and many others.