The Library of Mistakes EP 47: Money and Empire (with Perry Mehrling)
35 snips
Nov 13, 2025 
Perry Mehrling, an economist and author known for his work on Charles P. Kindleberger, dives into the life of the influential figure who shaped international monetary policy. They explore Kindleberger’s pivotal roles in post-war German reconstruction and his insights on the dollar system. Mehrling shares Kindleberger's views on the Marshall Plan and the significance of the Bretton Woods agreements. They also discuss Kindleberger's reaction to the Nixon Shock and the resilience of the dollar, emphasizing the importance of historical perspectives in contemporary economics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Widely Loved Practitioner-Scholar
- Charles P. Kindleberger was affable and formed wide friendships, including with Perry Mehrling late in life.
- Mehrling visited Kindleberger in assisted living, they became friends, and Kindleberger remained generous with students and colleagues.
From Targeting Factories To Rebuilding Germany
- Kindleberger led an intelligence unit in London tasked with identifying German war production targets.
- He directed tactical targeting (e.g., ball-bearing plants) and later enjoyed rebuilding Germany after the war.
Escape From The BIS As War Broke Out
- Kindleberger joined the BIS in 1939 and drafted its 10th annual report before fleeing as war escalated.
- He escaped through southern France to New York with his pregnant wife and newborn son as Paris fell.
