97% Owned: The Cruel Truth Behind Money Credit and Financial Crisis | ENDEVR Documentary
TLDRThis thought-provoking script delves into the intricate world of money creation and the monetary system, exposing its hidden mechanics and far-reaching impacts. It unveils the power dynamics at play, where private banks create most of the money supply through debt, while the government's role diminishes. The script challenges the notion of a stable and fair system, exploring how wealth is redistributed from the poor to the rich, fueling inequality and economic turmoil. Through a blend of facts, analysis, and satirical elements, it provokes viewers to question the status quo and consider reforms for a more equitable and sustainable monetary future.
Takeaways
- π° The vast majority (97.4%) of the UK's money supply is created by commercial banks as debt through the issuance of loans, not by the government.
- π¦ Banks have the ability to create new money out of thin air through the lending process, which drives economic booms and busts.
- π This debt-based money creation system leads to wealth distribution from the poor to the rich, increasing inequality and lowering living standards.
- π The international monetary system allows dominant powers to maintain control and influence through currency manipulation and financial warfare tactics.
- π± Exchange rates have become highly volatile and subject to speculation due to the lack of a commodity-based backing for currencies.
- π Countries accumulate foreign reserves as insurance against speculative attacks and to protect their financial sovereignty.
- π¨ Financial crises are often caused by rapid withdrawals of a nation's currency, destabilizing economies and leading to austerity measures.
- π€ The financial sector has become a dominant force, benefiting greatly from the current monetary system at the expense of the general public.
- βοΈ There is a lack of democratic control over money creation, as private banks determine where and how new money is injected into the economy.
- π± Reforming the monetary system to create money for productive investments rather than debt could lead to a fairer and more stable economy.
Q & A
What is the main topic discussed in the transcript?
-The transcript discusses the mechanics of the modern monetary system, with a particular focus on how money is created by commercial banks, its impact on the economy, and the potential issues and criticisms surrounding this system.
What is the role of commercial banks in creating money?
-According to the transcript, commercial banks create around 97% of the total money supply as 'commercial bank money' when they issue loans to the public. This process is often referred to as creating money 'out of nothing'.
How has the money creation process changed over time?
-The transcript highlights that in the past, money creation was pegged to commodities like gold, but today's fiat money is no longer backed by any physical commodity. This has allowed for a more chaotic and unregulated creation of money.
What are some of the concerns raised about the current monetary system?
-The concerns include the inherent instability of the system, the potential for inflation and asset bubbles, the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of private banks, and the lack of democratic control over the money creation process.
How does the transcript portray the relationship between money creation and debt?
-The transcript suggests that in the current system, money creation is intrinsically tied to debt, as commercial banks create new money when issuing loans. This means that for the economy to grow, debt must also grow, potentially leading to unsustainable levels of debt.
What is the role of central banks in the modern monetary system?
-Central banks like the Bank of England create a small portion (around 3%) of the money supply as physical cash and central bank reserves. They also manage the monetary system and act as lenders of last resort during crises.
How does the transcript link the monetary system to issues of inequality and wealth distribution?
-The transcript suggests that the current system allows private banks to extract wealth from the economy while providing little productive value in return. It also argues that the system redistributes wealth from the poor to the rich through interest payments and other mechanisms.
What are some proposed alternatives or reforms mentioned in the transcript?
-The transcript discusses the idea of backing a new currency with a scarce resource like energy, using a basket of currencies, or establishing an international agreement to create a more stable and fair monetary system.
How does the transcript portray the role of financial institutions and corporations in the global economy?
-The transcript portrays financial institutions and corporations as wielding immense power and influence, often at the expense of democratic processes and the well-being of ordinary citizens. It suggests that they benefit greatly from the current monetary system.
What is the overall tone and perspective of the transcript towards the current monetary system?
-The overall tone of the transcript is highly critical of the current monetary system, portraying it as fundamentally flawed, undemocratic, and serving the interests of the privileged few over the majority of citizens.
Outlines
π¦ The Creation and Purpose of Money
This paragraph explores the origins and mechanics of the modern monetary system. It discusses how money is created by commercial banks through lending, the impact of this process on national and international levels, and how the current system provides foundations for international dominance and control. It emphasizes the need for open dialogue on the future of the monetary system amid ongoing crises.
π΄ The Bank's Role in Money Creation
This paragraph delves into the details of how banks create money through lending. It explains that 97.4% of the total money supply in the UK is created by commercial banks as debt when they issue loans. It contrasts this with the 3% of money created by the central bank (Bank of England) through printing physical cash. The paragraph highlights the significant profits banks make from creating electronic money compared to physical cash.
π± The Lending Process and Money Creation
This paragraph further elaborates on the process of money creation by banks through lending. It explains that when banks issue loans, they create new commercial bank money, and when customers repay loans, that money is destroyed. Banks keep the interest as profit. The paragraph also discusses common misconceptions about how banks operate and the reality that money creation and control are largely in the hands of private banks.
π¦ The Mechanisms of Bank Money Creation
This paragraph examines the specific mechanisms through which banks create new money. It explains that banks create new money whenever they extend credit, buy existing assets, or make payments on their own account, primarily by expanding their assets. It also discusses how new commercial bank money enters circulation when people spend the credit granted to them by banks.
π The Global Impact of Bank Money Creation
This paragraph discusses the global impact of bank money creation. It highlights the exponential growth of the UK money supply in the years leading up to the 2007 crisis, with banks creating over Β£1.2 trillion in new money during that period. It also touches on the growth of the banking sector globally and its increasing dominance compared to the real economy.
π° Central Bank Reserves and Interbank Payments
This paragraph explains the role of central bank reserves, an electronic version of cash used by banks for interbank payments. It describes how the Bank of England creates these reserves out of nothing by increasing the available credit in settlement banks' accounts, in exchange for bonds or assets as collateral. The paragraph also discusses the significance of central bank reserves in facilitating interbank transactions.
π The Evolution of Money Systems
This paragraph provides a historical perspective on the evolution of money systems, from the gold standard to the Bretton Woods agreement and the modern fiat money system. It discusses how the collapse of the dollar-gold standard in 1971 and subsequent deregulation led to exponential growth in money creation, as money became pegged to nothing and backed by belief and credit.
πΈ The Expansion of Money Supply and Inflation
This paragraph examines the relationship between the expansion of the money supply and inflation. It explains that as more money is available, it can be invested in productive avenues, leading to economic growth, but it can also fuel speculation and drive up asset prices, leading to inflation. The paragraph discusses the potential consequences of unchecked money supply growth.
π The Impact of Bank Money on Housing Market
This paragraph focuses on the impact of bank money creation on the housing market. It explains how a significant portion of new money created by banks was directed into the mortgage and housing market, leading to a dramatic increase in house prices. The paragraph highlights the regressive nature of this policy, redistributing wealth from the poor to the wealthy while failing to create net economic value.
π‘ The Consequences of Money Creation on Housing
This paragraph continues the discussion on the effects of bank money creation on the housing market. It explores how the influx of new money into the housing sector led to rising house prices, making housing increasingly unaffordable for the general population. The paragraph also touches on the potential long-term consequences of such policies on economic stability and social inequality.
π± The Impact of Money on Purchasing Power and Debt
This paragraph examines the impact of the current monetary system on purchasing power and debt levels. It explains how the creation of money as debt leads to a gradual decrease in the standard of living, as people become poorer and more dependent on debt. The paragraph also discusses the paradox of economic growth being tied to increasing debt levels under the current system.
π The Distribution of Wealth and Banking Sector Profits
This paragraph explores the distribution of wealth and profits within the banking sector. It highlights how the current monetary system allows the banking sector to extract wealth from the economy while providing nothing productive in return. The paragraph discusses how technological advancements and increased efficiency have not translated into improved living standards due to the debt-based money system.
π The Global Consequences of the Monetary System
This paragraph examines the global consequences of the current monetary system. It discusses how the system lowers the standard of living for the majority while concentrating wealth among the privileged. The paragraph also touches on the regressive nature of the system, with the poorest bearing the brunt of economic crises despite not benefiting from the preceding booms.
π³ The Role of Banks and the Democratic Deficit
This paragraph explores the role of banks in the current monetary system and the resulting democratic deficit. It highlights how private profit-seeking banks create vast amounts of new money and allocate it according to their own interests, with little democratic control or accountability. The paragraph also discusses the potential conflicts between the interests of banks and the public good.
βοΈ The Consequences of Bank Bailouts and Austerity
This paragraph examines the consequences of bank bailouts and austerity measures implemented by governments in response to the financial crisis. It discusses how these measures effectively shift the burden of debt from banks to the public, with the most vulnerable segments of society bearing the brunt of the costs. The paragraph questions the fairness and sustainability of such policies.
π The Leveraged Buyout and Debt Expansion
This paragraph discusses the practice of leveraged buyouts, where companies are purchased at inflated prices, and the purchase price is transferred as debt to the acquired company. It explains how this practice exacerbates the expansion of debt and the money supply, contributing to economic booms and eventual busts when the debt becomes unsustainable.
π The Global Dynamics of Trade Imbalances and Currency Wars
This paragraph explores the global dynamics of trade imbalances and currency wars. It discusses how countries with trade deficits accumulate foreign reserve currencies, while countries with surpluses hold their own reserves. The paragraph also examines the concept of competitive devaluation, where countries attempt to devalue their currencies to boost exports, potentially leading to currency wars.
π± The Foreign Exchange Market and Currency Speculation
This paragraph focuses on the foreign exchange market and currency speculation. It discusses the growth of the foreign exchange market, where trillions of dollars in currencies are traded daily, and how speculation and volatility in these markets can impact countries, particularly developing nations. The paragraph also touches on the concept of financial warfare through rapid withdrawals of a nation's currency.
π The Role of International Organizations and Currency Regulation
This paragraph explores the role of international organizations in regulating currencies and managing the global monetary system. It discusses the potential for creating a new international monetary system or a basket of currencies backed by scarce and valuable resources, such as renewable energy or a commodity-based standard, to promote stability and fairness in the global economy.
π‘ Financial Innovation and Risk Management
This paragraph examines the development of financial innovations, such as securitization and derivatives, as a means to manage risk in the absence of a defined commodity-based value underlying currencies. It discusses how these innovations were intended to stabilize the financial system but ultimately contributed to the 2008 crisis and the realization of their inherent risks.
π¦ The Growth and Dominance of the Financial Sector
This paragraph discusses the exponential growth and dominance of the financial sector as a result of the current monetary system. It highlights how the financial sector has benefited enormously from the system while providing little productive value in return. The paragraph also touches on the concentration of wealth and power within the financial industry.
π The Global Impact of the Monetary System and Structural Adjustment Programs
This paragraph explores the global impact of the current monetary system and the role of institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in imposing structural adjustment programs on developing countries. It discusses how these programs often destroy local industries and increase dependency on developed nations, effectively robbing countries of their sovereignty and perpetuating a cycle of debt and economic subjugation.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Money Creation
π‘Fractional Reserve Banking
π‘Inflation
π‘Debt-based Money
π‘Monetary Policy
π‘Financial Crisis
π‘Central Bank Reserves
π‘Quantitative Easing
π‘Currency Wars
π‘Monetary Reform
Highlights
The reality is now that most money is not paper and it's not metal coins it's digital it's just numbers in the compute system you know it's your Visa debit card it's your electronic you know ATM card, um it's this it's plastic you know it's numbers in a computer system you move money from one compute system to another.
At the moment in the UK money creation and control is is largely in the hands of private Banks about 97 to 98 of money, um that's that's created is is created as Bank Bank debt money you could call it when Banks issue money into circulation as as loans essentially.
If everybody starts saving, the amount of money in the economy shrinks and we have a recession so most economists don't have this this full picture they don't understand all elements of the system they rely on assumptions on you know receive knowledge without actually going into the details and you know money is money as a center of the economy if you don't understand where it comes from who it creates who creates it and when it gets created then how can you understand the entire economy.
When the bank of England creates a 10 pound note it costed about three or four Pence to actually print that note and it sells it to the High Street banks at face value so at 10 pounds and The Profit the difference between printing the note and actually selling it for 10 pounds, goes directly to the treasury.
By 2008 the outstanding loan portfolio of Bank created credit also known as Commercial Bank money, stood it over two trillion pounds.
As recently as 1982 the ratio of notes and coins to bank deposits was 1 to 12. By 2010 the ratio had risen to 1 to 37. That is for every pound of Treasury created money, there was 37 pounds of Bank created money.
In the 10 years prior to the 2007 crisis, the UK Commercial Bank money supply expanded by between seven to ten percent every year. A growth rate of seven percent is the equivalent of doubling the money supply every 10 years.
The amount of money they're creating out of nothing is just incredible 1.2 trillion in the last 10 years and there's that money has been distributed according to the priorities of the banking sector you know not the priorities of society.
Bank sector itself grew from 1980 2.5 trillion dollars, to 40 trillion dollars by assets in 1980, global bank assets were worth 20 times the then global economy, by 2006 they were worth 75 times.
Today as these very foundations are being shaken by crises the need for open and honest Dialogue on the future of the monetary system has never been greater.
The issue with allowing Banks to create money there's two main issues firstly, the fact that they create this money when they make loans so it guarantees that you know we have to borrow all our money for the economy from the banks, as such to have a healthy growing economy the government needs to put in place strategies to allow for ever increasing debt.
The second big issue with allowing Banks to create money, is that they have the incentive to always create more you know they create more money if they issue a loan they get the bonuses and the commissions and the incentives to create you know to lend as much as possible you have to develop a sales culture.
Foreign Banks create new money whenever they extend credit buy existing assets or make payments on their own account which mostly involves expanding their assets.
Inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. As the money supply grows more money is available for investment which can lead to growth, but more money is also available for purchases of goods and speculation which leads to inflation.
If houses were cheaper, they would be easier to build more, there'll be more of them would be built, there would be less huge houses with hardly any people in them London would not be the center of a kind of very rich speculative orgy where all the richest people in the world wants want to get a property in London because it's seen as a great asset you know houses would be seen as places to live primarily rather than places to invest.
Transcripts
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