This book deals with the evolution of monetary systems. Firstly, it argues that money forms a constitutional element in any private-ownership economy, estab lishing a nominal-standard order for the market behaviour of individual agents. The market economy is basically a payment society where money structures and values economic activities, and performs itself as a market asset. The use of re sources and the production of commodities are governed by calculations in mone tary values which subordinate production and employment to the logic of asset markets. The "veil" of money cannot be...