[luciusdomitius]

It is literally the most controversial concept in today's geopolitics. Study politics science in Dover - it is a conspiracy theory. Study PS in Calais - it is the exorbitant privilege and a cornerstone of global injustice. And it is not like France and the empire are rivals.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorbitant_privilege

[foooobaba]

Regarding France, actually they play this game too. Check out the West/Central African CFA franc [2]. These currencies are pegged to 1/100 French franc, which currently about 1/656 euros. Many former French colonies are required to use the CFA franc, minted by France, and required to keep 85% in reserve in French banks, including during times of hardship, but they can always barrow against their reserve and pay France the interest if they need to. In 2019 France has promised to drop it and let the africans have their own called eco [2] by 2027, but, also it keeps getting postponed and was supposed to already happen by 2020, so who knows. Trying to go against france can result in an assassination or coup, or other creative acts by france (see Opération Persil [3]).

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_African_CFA_franc

[2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco_(currency)

[3] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Op%C3%A9ration_Persil

[luciusdomitius]

Yeah, I know that. CFA Franc is exactly what they are accusing the Fed of doing, just without the good-doer facade. As ironic as it is :)

[rsync]

... charitably, I think your parent refers to underappreciation within the United States which I think is a fair assessment.

[nickdothutton]

Indeed I did mean in the US. The rest of us in the world are more acutely aware ;-).