Modernising Money by Andrew Jackson & Ben Dyson Summary

Modernising Money critiques the current monetary system where 97% of money is created by private banks as interest-bearing debt, leading to economic instability, inequality, and environmental harm. The authors propose transferring money creation to an independent public body, arguing this would reduce debt, stabilize economies, and align investment with societal needs. The book combines historical analysis with reform proposals to create a transparent, accountable system.

This book is ideal for policymakers, economists, and anyone seeking to understand systemic flaws in modern banking. It’s accessible to non-experts, offering clear explanations of complex monetary mechanics and advocating for structural reforms. Readers interested in debt reduction, financial stability, or addressing climate change through economic policy will find it particularly relevant.

The authors argue that private banks’ ability to create money through loans fuels asset bubbles (e.g., housing crises), exacerbates inequality via interest payments, and prioritizes profit over public good. They demonstrate how debt-driven money creation forces unsustainable growth, harms the environment, and centralizes power in unelected financial institutions.

Key reforms include:

• Restricting money creation to a public authority (e.g., the Bank of England).
• Separating banks’ transactional and investment activities to prevent risky lending.
• Introducing “debt-free” money to reduce reliance on interest-bearing loans.
• Directing investment toward productive, socially beneficial projects rather than speculative assets.

The book highlights that 97% of money in circulation originates as bank deposits created through loans, not government-issued currency. This system concentrates power in private banks, ties economic stability to debt repayment, and prioritizes short-term profits over long-term societal needs.

By reducing debt-driven growth pressures, the proposed reforms would lessen the need for environmentally harmful industries to perpetually expand. Redirecting investment toward sustainable projects and stabilizing boom-bust cycles would also mitigate the erosion of environmental regulations during economic downturns.

Some economists argue public control of money could lead to inflationary mismanagement or political interference. The authors counter that independent oversight and transparent processes would prevent these issues, contrasting their plan with historical hyperinflation examples like Zimbabwe.

Unlike works focused on superficial fixes, it targets systemic flaws in money creation itself. It combines technical banking mechanics with accessible explanations, offering a concrete legislative roadmap (e.g., updating the 1844 Bank Charter Act) rather than abstract theories.

With rising debt levels, climate urgency, and post-pandemic economic instability, the book’s call for structural reform resonates. Its proposals align with global debates about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and public control over financial systems.

• “Money creation should serve the public interest, not private profit.”
• “Asset bubbles are not market failures but systemic features of debt-based money.”
• “A stable economy requires divorcing money from debt.”

Co-author Ben Dyson founded the Positive Money campaign, which advocates for the book’s reforms. The text expands on the group’s core ideas, providing academic rigor and policy details to support its grassroots initiatives.

While no country has fully adopted the proposals, elements like CBDCs and public banking initiatives reflect its principles. The book cites historical precedents, such as the 1844 UK Bank Charter Act, as frameworks for modern implementation.