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| mucr:mutual_credit [2026/10/15 09:30] – [History] Simon Grant | mucr:mutual_credit [2026/10/29 11:02] (current) – [What can I do?] Simon Grant |
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| The large-scale, for-profit [barter industry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barter#Bartering_in_business) (actually mutual credit) has developed since the War, overseen by the [International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA)](https://www.irta.com/), comprising 400,000 businesses and trades valued at $14 billion in 2019. | The large-scale, for-profit [barter industry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barter#Bartering_in_business) (actually mutual credit) has developed since the War, overseen by the [International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA)](https://www.irta.com/), comprising 400,000 businesses and trades valued at $14 billion in 2019. |
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| [[wp>LETS]] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_exchange_trading_system) (and [time banks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-based_currency)) are community-based, non-commercial exchanges in which local people exchange favours and hours of work. However, LETS schemes were usually comprised of individuals rather than businesses, and it's hard for individuals to obtain credits unless the company they work for is in a scheme and pays some wages via credits. Mutual credit networks can involve individuals, but for real economic impact, they have to be based on networks of businesses. | [[c:LETS]] (and [time banks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-based_currency)) are community-based, non-commercial exchanges in which local people exchange favours and hours of work. However, LETS schemes were usually comprised of individuals rather than businesses, and it's hard for individuals to obtain credits unless the company they work for is in a scheme and pays some wages via credits. Mutual credit networks can involve individuals, but for real economic impact, they have to be based on networks of businesses. |
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| Finally everyone can learn more about credit clearing and mutual credit: we recommend Thomas Greco’s book, [_the End of Money and the Future of Civilisation;_](/mucr/mutual_credit) or you can [watch some of our interviews](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNNdLYx-MxhZrUyo54Ox2a8IKWUrUydDf) with people working in / interested in mutual credit. | Finally everyone can learn more about credit clearing and mutual credit: we recommend Thomas Greco’s book, _[the End of Money and the Future of Civilisation;](/mucr/mutual_credit)_ or you can [watch some of our interviews](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNNdLYx-MxhZrUyo54Ox2a8IKWUrUydDf) with people working in / interested in mutual credit. |
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| - Contact us if you're part of a business network - you can talk with MCS with a view to setting up a local trade / mutual credit club. This also applies if you're part of / associated with a local authority, social enterprise or any other group that might want to host a network. | - Contact us if you're part of a business network - you can talk with MCS with a view to setting up a local trade / mutual credit club. This also applies if you're part of / associated with a local authority, social enterprise or any other group that might want to host a network. |