Question

In “A Treatise on the Alteration of Money,” does Mariana make the case that inflation is bad simply because of its consequences, or does he make the case that inflation is intrinsically bad?

Answer 1

Mariana argues that inflation is intrinsically bad. It robs people of the rewards of their hard work. Mariana's claim is to alter the value of money itself is a sin. The consequences can be different for different people. But his argument is that changing the value of money, by whatever means is a violation of the natural law. What people owe to everyone, and what is owed to them is changed as a result of inflation. He calls on the king or the governemnt to therefore not meddle with the value of the money.