The Theory of Monetary Institutions analyzes the often overlooked - but fundamental - questions about monetary policy regimes: How and why have monetary institutions - central banks, clearinghouses, commercial banks, and money itself - evolved into their present forms? What are the leading arguments for and against government involvement in money and banking? What models do we have for explaining how monetary authorities choose to behave in a discretionary fiat money regime, and how well do they fit? What alternatives to the current regime are available, and how would they work?