ABSTRACT
Introduction The question of commodity money, usually metallism, versus chartalism has his torically been of great importance and provoked rather intense discussions. Ludwig von Mises, who is one of the illustrious proponents for gold standard, writes (2007 [1949]: 483):
The struggle against gold which is one of the main concerns of all con temporary governments must not be looked upon as an isolated phenom enon. It is but one item in the gigantic process of destruction which is the mark of our time. People fight the gold standard because they want to sub stitute national autarky for free trade, war for peace, totalitarian government omnipotence for liberty.
