Social Comptabilism

Imagine a society where the familiar role of money is swapped for a more precise, accounting‑based mechanism. In this thought‑provoking treatise, the author asks whether such a replacement could eliminate the shortcomings of cash while preserving its essential functions. Drawing on early debates from a Brussels institute, the work revisits the idea of “social comptabilism,” a theory that treats every transaction as a measurable entry rather than a mere exchange of coins.

The author first dissects how money serves only those engaged in commercial activity, explaining that a self‑sufficient landowner might scarcely need it, whereas a trader depends on it for constant circulation. He then contrasts true barter—direct, immediate swaps of usable goods—with monetary sales, which grant only a promise of future purchase. From this analysis emerges a proposal for a systematic ledger that could record value without the distortions of traditional currency.