A1 Journal article (refereed)
When is money not a currency? Developments from Finland of proto-community currencies (2020)

Petz, M. (2020). When is money not a currency? Developments from Finland of proto-community currencies. International Journal of Community Currency Research, 24(2), 30-53. https://doi.org/10.15133/j.ijccr.2020.0010

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Petz, Marcus

Journal or series: International Journal of Community Currency Research

eISSN: 1325-9547

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 24

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 30-53

Publisher: RAMICS

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15133/j.ijccr.2020.0010

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72105

Abstract

The article is a case study of several digitally based schemes recently operating in Finland where some functions and properties of money are evident. While working effectively as designed, they do not fully meet the criteria of a well-functioning community currency. The schemes include: sysmä, a digitally based hyperlocal system of account introduced by the rural Sysmä municipality; Pisteet kotiin®, a housing association points system in the city of Tampere, copied from a working Dutch model; BookMooch, a global book-swapping site that has extended its operations throughout Finland. Explored in the article are the institutional enabling and inhibitory factors and implications for and from other community currency projects. Data was collected by participant observation and semi-structured interviews in all schemes. Additional media surveying, internet webscrapes and online surveying supplemented this data. Along with the demarcation problem between currency and money, the technical issues about scale and purpose, if such schemes are to develop their offerings to become fully fledged currencies, are considered. The concept of “current-see” proposed by the MetaCurrency Project, is used as a lens to evaluate if the schemes achieve their purpose and whether further development is desirable or possible. The concept of a proto-community currency is developed.

Keywords: green economy; sharing economy; local currency

Free keywords: green economics; community of use; CC terminology; integral theory; pattern language

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 0