Money and Calculation Economic and Sociological Perspectives

Money is an important instrument of calculation: as a unit of account and means of payment, it serves the purpose of exchange. Yet, it is increasingly becoming itself an object of exchange and calculation on financial markets, which tend less to the production and exchange of real goods. The question therefore is: has the economy lost its measure?

Massimo Amato teaches economic history and history of economic thought at Bocconi University, Italy. His publications concern the history of money and of monetary thought. His book entitled The Enigma of Money deals with the phenomenological foundations of money as an institution. Luigi Doria carries out research activities at Bocconi University, Italy. Previously, he was Fellow at the Nantes Institute for Advanced Studies, France, and did research at the University IUAV of Venice, Italy. His recent research interests focus on economic sociology and in particular on the relationship between calculation and quality. Luca Fantacci is Assistant Professor of Economic History at Bocconi University, Italy. He has published on the history of money and credit and of economic thought, including a book, co-written with Massimo Amato, on the current financial crisis entitled The End of Finance.