Alternative Currencies: A Critical Approach

by Louis Larue

Overview

A wide variety of new forms of money have been developed in recent decades as a challenge or complement to the official, dominant currencies. LETS, local currencies, carbon currencies, and Bitcoins are all examples of this new trend. These currencies are at the heart of a larger movement that questions the present state of money and argues that new currencies might help to build resilient economies and “warmer” social relations.

This book focuses on radical alternative proposals as well as on small-scale experiments, and makes use of the analytical tools of philosophy and of economics, with one main question in mind: can alternative currencies constitute desirable alternatives to the present monetary system? Overall, the book will raise serious doubts regarding the capacity of such currencies to deliver on their promises. In part, it will show that several arguments in favour of alternative currencies are lacking in consistency and clarity, and are thus in need of thorough revision. More fundamentally, it will argue that these currencies rarely succeed in fulfilling their objectives and that their fulfilment would entail significant conflicts with justice and economic efficiency.

This book is addressed to researchers in economics, politics, and philosophy of money, especially those working on alternative monetary systems.

Chapter 5 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032870212
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/06/2025
Series:	Routledge Frontiers of Political Economy
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Louis Larue is a researcher in philosophy and economics at Aalborg University (Denmark) and a visiting lecturer in philosophy of economics at UCLouvain (Belgium). His work focuses on issues of justice in money and finance.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Defining Alternative Currencies 2. Alternative Currencies and Sustainability 3. Alternative Currencies and Social Justice  4. Alternative Currencies and the Market 5. The Politics of Alternative Currencies Conclusion Index

Editorial Reviews

"Libertarian bitcoiners and alternative currency advocates claim to have found the currency of the future. In this incisive and clear-eyed work, Louis Larue compellingly demonstrates that alternative currencies, however well-intentioned, fall short of fixing the deep flaws within our current monetary systems."

- Clément Fontan, Professor of European Economic Policy, UCLouvain, Belgium.

____________________________________

“With an interdisciplinary approach bridging economics, politics, and philosophy, Louis Larue delivers a critical examination of alternative monetary systems. He offers a rarely seen critical stance that is bound to spark debate and foster meaningful discussions.”

- Camille Meyer, Associate Professor in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Cape Town.

____________________________________

“Whether you are a proponent or an opponent to alternative currencies, this book is worth reading! Louis Larue's book is an intriguing and persuasive call to carry on a thorough examination of the advantages and disadvantages of alternative currencies.”

- Marek Hudon, Professor at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Belgium.

______________________________________

 

From the Publisher