The politics of utopia a new history of John Law's system, 1695-1795 / Arnaud Orain ; translated by Andrew Brown.
| Author/creator | Orain, Arnaud |
| Other author | Brown, Andrew (Literary translator) |
| Format | Electronic |
| Publication Info | Chicago : The University of Chicago Press, 2024. |
| Description | 315 pages ; 24 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Full text available from eBooks on EBSCOhost |
| Subjects |
| Uniform title | Politique du merveilleux. English |
| Series | The life of ideas Life of ideas. ^A1368935 |
| Contents | The Crisis of Conscience of the Monarchy of Louis XIV -- Colonial Competition, Imaginaries, and the Moderns -- Refounding the French Monarchy -- Magical Politics -- Counterattacks -- The Hour of Reckoning |
| Abstract | "The Scottish economist John Law has been described as the architect of modern central banking. His "System," established in Regency France between 1716 and 1720, saw the founding of a bank issuing paper money and the establishment of commercial and colonial enterprises aimed at consolidating public debt. What at first seemed like financial wizardry, however, resulted in rampant speculation and economic collapse. In this book, Arnaud Orain offers a provocative rereading of this well-known episode. Starting in the seventeenth century, he reconstructs the figures and ideas, long predating Law, that anticipated and laid the groundwork for the System, which, he argues, is best understood as a failed social utopia aimed at the total transformation of society. Overturning familiar narratives of this seismic event, this book rewrites a stunning chapter in economic history, revealing new lessons for today's fraught financial landscape"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Abstract | "A fascinating retelling of the first banking and financial collapse in eighteenth-century France. The Scottish economist John Law has been described as the architect of modern central banking. His "System," established in Regency France between 1716 and 1720, saw the founding of a bank issuing paper money and the establishment of State commercial and colonial enterprises aimed at consolidating public debt. What at first seemed like financial wizardry, however, resulted in rampant speculation and economic collapse. In The Politics of Utopia, Arnaud Orain offers a provocative rereading of this well-known episode. Starting in the seventeenth century, he reconstructs the figures and ideas, long predating Law, that anticipated and laid the groundwork for the System, which, he argues, is best understood as a failed social utopia aimed at the total transformation of society. Overturning familiar narratives of this seismic event, this book rewrites a stunning chapter in economic history by dealing with cultural, colonial, religious, and political dimensions of the (in)famous "System" till the French Revolution, revealing new lessons for today's fraught financial landscape"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Access restriction | Available only to authorized users. |
| Technical details | Mode of access: World Wide Web |
| Genre/form | Electronic books. |
| LCCN | 2023053679 |
| ISBN | 9780226825359 (cloth) |
| ISBN | (ebook) |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |