"More Concerned than Ever about Dollar" | Prof. Eichengreen on Why Reserve Currencies Fail

About this episode

Barry Eichengreen discusses the rise and potential fall of the US dollar as a global reserve currency.

Barry Eichengreen, Professor of Economics and Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, and renowned economic historian, unpacks the fascinating rise and fall of currencies like the Roman Aureus, Dutch Guilder, and British Pound, revealing why the US dollar became the dominant global currency after WWII—and why that dominance might not last forever.In this episode, Barry shares unexpected insights from centuries of monetary evolution, illustrating how wars, empire shifts, and political power shape currency status.You'll discover the key steps that turn a national currency into a global reserve—an evolution often rooted in military strength and political stability.But also how historic financial infrastructure laid the foundation for America's dollar hegemony post-1945 and what risks threaten its future.And why the recent moves by China, Europe, and other economies are signals of a potential currency transition, and what it means for global liquidity and stability.The intriguing possibility of a (digital gold) or a new international monetary system—could blockchain and central bank digital currencies prevent a looming crisis?For anyone curious about how history…

People in this episode

Host: Reinvent Money

Guest: Barry Eichengreen

Topics covered

• currency evolution
• global reserve currency
• economic history
• monetary policy
• financial stability
• digital currencies

Keywords

• reserve currency
• US dollar
• currency transition
• monetary crises
• digital gold
• blockchain
• central bank digital currencies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of California, Berkeley

Books & works: Money Beyond Borders

Places: US, China, Europe

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