A History of Credit and Power in the Western World
"In their depiction of the rise and subsequent eclipsing of each of those financial centers, the authors note recurring themes: economic growth tends to be associated with innovation in credit instruments in a mutually reinforcing relationship; an environment of political stability, law and order, and respect for private property is needed for development of financial institutions; and operations of Western credit systems are subject to instability and periodic rises. Description of consumer access to credit and discussion of globalization of international financial markets conclude the volume."–Choice"MacDonald and Gastmann's very fine book could not have come at a better time to explain the important historical symbiotic relationship between power and credit. It would be invaluable to anyone who seeks a better understanding of the financial markets' reactions to historical and current global political and economic events."– Robert Windorf, KWR International Advisor