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Menger's Barter Theory of the Origin of Money Is Still Standing
Episode 519

Menger's Barter Theory of the Origin of Money Is Still Standing

The Human Action Podcast · Mises Institute

September 30, 2025

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Show Notes

Professor Georgy Ganev joins Bob to explain that, contrary to the claims of David Graeber and the MMTers, the barter origin of money has not been refuted. The anthropological evidence is consistent with the Mengerian story, and Mises' regression theorem remains the only coherent explanation for money's value. 

  • Professor Ganev's Paper, "Has the barter theory of the origins of money been rejected?": Mises.org/HAP519a

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Topics

Money and BankingValue and Exchange