Money cultures after Georg Simmel: mobility, movement, and identity

Author(s): Pryke, M.

Journal/Book: Environ Plan D Soc Space. 1999; 17: 207 Brondesbury Park, London NW2 5Jn, England. Pion Ltd. 51-68.

Abstract: It is well known that Georg Simmel observed a series of parallels between the circulation of money in a mature economy, in particular its pace and rhythm, and cultural forms of interaction in early twentieth century metropolitan life. In this paper we are concerned to build upon Simmel's insights with specific reference to the relationships drawn between mobility, movement, and culture. The intention is not to endorse Simmel's universalistic claims about culture, but rather to use his approach as a way of understanding how, today, processes of circulation are endowed with meaning through peoples interpretation and experience of mobility and movement. The paper falls into three parts. Drawing upon the work of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, the first part seeks to demonstrate the importance of mobility and movement to the formation of subjectivities and to the possibility of shared systems of meaning around money. Following this, Simmel's The Philosophy of Money is used as a starting point to consider how the circulation of money, in particular the deployment of derivatives, has produced a series of cultural identifications on the basis of different impressions of space-time. In the final part, examples of shared systems of symbolic meaning in relation to the movement and mobility of money are outlined in support of the argument and to ground the possibility of money cultures.

Note: Article Allen J, Open Univ, Fac Social Sci, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, Bucks, ENGLAND

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