Complementary currencies and the financing of investments in long-term assets

Rolf F.H. Schroeder

Independent author, Bremen, Germany.  rolfschroeder.h@t-online.de. www.rolf-f-h-schroeder.de

Abstract

The question raised in this article is whether the focus on “money”, as the key concept in the analysis of community or complementary currencies, is justified. The investigation shows that the economies which facilitate exchange with alternative currencies are also based on “capital.” In some cases, capital is created within a community or complementary currencies; in others, synergies exist between the alternative currencies and other ways of financing long-term assets like microfinancing schemes. In order to better understand the grey zones between these different spheres an all-encompassing use of the notion of “money” should be avoided.

Keywords

Finance and Investment; Resilience; Historic Complementary Currencies; Solidarity Economy

Article Schroeder

 

To cite this article: Rolf E.F. Schroeder (2018) ‘Complementary Currencies and the Financing of Investments in Long-term Assets’ International Journal of Community Currency Research 2018 Volume 22 (Winter) 4-14 <www.ijccr.net> ISSN 1325-9547. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15133/j.ijccr.2018.002