Edward Elgar Publishing Political Economy of Central Banking - Gerald Epstein Essays

This collection of selected essays by Gerald Epstein examines the political dimensions of central banking and monetary policy that mainstream economics often overlooks. Epstein argues that monetary policy decisions are fundamentally shaped by political forces and power dynamics within financial systems, not merely technical stabilization choices. The book challenges conventional economic reasoning by demonstrating how central banks wield enormous influence over government and society, yet remain inadequately scrutinized through a political economy lens. Featuring insights from leading economists including Barry Eichengreen of the University of California, Berkeley, this work provides essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how power operates within central banking institutions and influences economic outcomes at the national and international level. Published by Edward Elgar Publishing, these essays offer rigorous analysis of contested control in monetary systems and the broader implications of finance's power over economic policy.