Unpacking Mises: Fractional Reserve Banking and the Currency School
Nov 1, 2024
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Kristoffer Hansen, a Mises Fellow, shares insightful perspectives on fractional reserve banking and free banking. He clarifies Mises' acknowledgment of the benefits of fractional reserve banking, as highlighted by economist Larry White. The conversation explores the historical influence of the Currency School on economic stability and the intricate relationship between commodity-backed money and business cycles. Hansen also discusses the inefficacies of Peel's Act in preventing banking crises and delves into various definitions of inflation, emphasizing Mises' complex views on money.
Mises acknowledged the potential benefits of fractional reserve banking, suggesting it could promote economic growth and resource efficiency.
The podcast highlights the challenges faced by the Currency School, which aimed for monetary stability through strict gold-backed regulations that ultimately failed to prevent financial crises.
Deep dives
Discourse on Fractional Reserve Banking
The discussion revolves around fractional reserve banking and its implications, particularly in the context of economist Mises' views. The debate was sparked by Larry White referencing a review written by Christopher on the topic of banking, which led to further exploration of Mises' stance, especially regarding his acceptance of fractional reserve banking. Mises argued that the existence of bank money could save resources and facilitate economic growth, suggesting a certain level of acceptance. However, this has led to confusion and debates regarding whether Mises was wholly supportive of fractional reserve banking practices or if he had reservations about them.
Currency School and Monetary Stability
The currency school emerged in Britain during the 19th century, advocating for a monetary system grounded in the gold standard. They believed that to ensure a stable financial system conducive to economic growth, the issuance of banknotes should be strictly regulated and only backed by gold reserves. This principle aimed to prevent financial crises by limiting additional banknotes' circulation to actual gold deposits. Although initially successful in the debate about banking reforms, the currency school later faced challenges as their policies did not eliminate the cyclical financial crises they sought to prevent.
Mises' Rehabilitation of Currency School Principles
Mises sought to rehabilitate the currency school's principles by arguing that their fundamental theory made economic sense when properly applied. He extended their ideas beyond mere banknotes to include bank deposits, emphasizing that the issue was not merely about the physical form of money but rather whether it was backed by reserves. The distinction between banknotes and deposits was significant, as deposits were left unregulated leading to systemic bank credit expansions, which proved detrimental. Mises believed that, while the currency school had a strong theoretical framework, they faltered by not recognizing the broader implications of monetary supply beyond their original principles.
Debates on the Nature of Money and Banking
The podcast also delves into the nuances of definitions surrounding inflation, particularly as articulated by Mises and Rothbard. Rothbard characterized inflation as an increase in the money supply outpacing an increase in gold stock, thus critiquing any form of paper money issued beyond what was available in gold. The conversation suggests that both traditionally produced commodity money and fiduciary media like banknotes should follow strict monetary principles. Ultimately, the notion that an increase in the money supply results in malinvestment continues to be a point of contention among economists, illustrating the complexities in defining the effects of different forms of money.
Mises Fellow Kristoffer Hansen joins Bob to discuss Mises' perspective on fractional reserve banking and free banking. Earlier this month, Larry White referenced Hansen’s work on fractional reserve banking, asserting that Hansen indicated Mises acknowledged the benefits of FRB. Kristoffer clarifies his paper and examines what Mises wrote in Human Action on the topic.
Additionally, Bob and Kristoffer delve into the influence of the Currency School on banking and economic instability, as well as how commodity-backed money might impact the business cycle.
Kristoffer's Article in the QJAE, "Sound Money without Free Banking": Mises.org/HAP472a
Kristoffer and Jonathan Newman's Article in the QJAE Clarifying Rothbard's Definition of Inflation: Mises.org/HAP472b
Human Action Podcast Episode 470 on the Debate Over Fractional Reserve Banking: Mises.org/HAP472c
The Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard’s, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree
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