Social Construction and the Logic of Money: Financial Predominance and International Economic Leadership

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International finance emerges as the pivotal factor influencing a country's propensity to lead on the global stage, according to J. Samuel Barkin. Employing a novel combination of rationalist and constructivist methodologies, the book explores how financial involvement shapes leadership dynamics. Barkin supports his theory with a historical analysis spanning four centuries, highlighting key periods of monetary leadership, including the Dutch in the 17th century, British dominance in the 19th century, and the U.S. role post-World War II, amidst ongoing financial crises.