This book advocates a holistic reform of the current monetary and financial system dealing with the issues of money creation, central banks, loans, stock markets, tax justice, pension security and the international monetary system - Bretton Woods II. Its innovative approach presents several alternatives for each cornerstone, in addition to introducing a participatory democratic process whereby sovereign citizens can themselves determine the rules governing the new financial and monetary system. With democratic money conventions in each municipality, where the elements of this new money system are discussed and decided on in a participatory manner, and a federal money covenant which then elaborates a template for a referendum about the future money constitution, a true sovereign could progressively convert money from a financial weapon into a democratic tool.
The envisaged democratic monetary system, by providing equal opportunities for every member of society to participate in the development of the new rules of the game, turns money progressively into a public good which increases the freedom for all.
The new system furthermore drives the enhancement of constitutional and relational values such as human dignity, solidarity, justice, sustainability, or democracy. Money should serve life and should serve the common good. The Bank for the Common Good Project, which was initiated in Austria by the author Christian Felber, represents a practical example of his proposals.
Preface: Money and Democracy an Overdue Wedding.- Introduction: A Coercitive and Intransparent Financial System.- Part I: The Process towards a New Monetary Order.- 1. Tamer Wanted: Who will Restrain the Global Monetary and Finance System?.- 2. Rewriting the Rules of the Game: The Democratic Monetary Convention.- 3. The Basis: Money as a Public Good.- Part II: The Content - Cornerstones of lS`