Boston Basic Income #145: Zimbabwe

What happens when the functioning of a currency breaks down? The country of Zimbabwe found out first-hand after the hyperinflation of the Zimbabwean dollar of 2007-2009 led them to abandon the currency altogether. Since then, Zimbabwe has struggled to fill the void with with a mish-mash of foreign currencies as well as attempts at re-establishing their own currency.

What makes it possible for a state establish and maintain a stable currency? Why did Zimbabwe fail? What can they do better in the future? Would trying to implement a basic income make it more complicated?

The reading this week is a 2014 BBC story entitled "Zimbabwe’s multi-currency confusion."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26034078

Previous related Boston Basic Income topics have included:

BBI #31: Venezuela Crisis
https://youtu.be/qvoGLtt1Tc0

BBI #113: Weimar Hyperinflation
https://youtu.be/ZPHe1aFQyvU

BBI #141: Functional Money
https://youtu.be/TiCQ5H4LBg0

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