The Origins of Money

Nick Szabo

Economic History from EconWPA

Abstract: The precursors of money, along with language, enabled early modern humans to solve problems of cooperation that other animals cannot -- including problems of reciprocal altruism, kin altruism, and the mitigation of aggression. These precursors shared with non-fiat currencies very specific characteristics which are described.

Keywords: origins; money; evolution; Menger; reciprocal; kin; altruism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo and nep-his
Date: 2002-11-18
Note: Type of Document - HTML; prepared on IBM PC; to print on any;

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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wpa:wuwpeh:0211005

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