Chapter 28 - An economics class #2
"Very well, cadets, as you can see, the times of reconstruction were chaotic, with terrorist attacks, famine, ruins, and even riots and lootings in the towns to which the Confederation could not respond quickly."
As Professor Lundström spoke, the image on the projector changed to a photo of a city practically in ruins. The photograph wasn't very old, as the war had ended just three years ago. Some children like Alex and Ivan hadn't experienced it firsthand, but others still bore a persistent look of fear on their faces.
"Although this is a topic we will also discuss, right now we're focused on the economic approach. And now the question is for you: what was the first thing the high command of the Confederation decided regarding the economy?"
All the cadets looked at each other, some thoughtful, others expectant, and some fearful that the professor would choose them.
"And well?"
"Pe-Permission to speak."
Professor Lundström, who was about to choose someone at random, turned his eyes towards the cadet who had just raised his hand. He was a student seated in the second row, positioned between two classmates, visibly embarrassed but brave enough to volunteer.
"Go ahead, cadet..."
"Mammoth, sir, my name is Mammoth."
"That's an interesting name. Go ahead, Cadet Mammoth."
"Yes, sir, I believe the high command prioritized creating a global currency for everyone."
"Well..."
The cadet who had answered let out a sigh of relief and sat back down, feeling as if a stone had been lifted from his shoulders.
"...Just as Cadet Mammoth said, the first thing they created was our current currency, the
As the professor spoke, Alex and the cadets watched the slide change to show the logo of the currency they knew. The current currency was practically the symbol of the Confederation, with different designs; instead of a golden snake wrapped around the Earth, there was a large golden 'K' with two vertical lines crossing through it.
"As you can see, the current currency is virtual. At first, there were several debates proposing a monetary system similar to those used by the great powers, but seeing the precariousness and economic ruin, they decided it wasn't time to waste."
The next slide showed what appeared to be a theater full of gathered people.
"...The Forum for Economic Restructuring of the Confederation, a meeting of the most prestigious minds in economics, was held urgently and hastily, but thanks to this forum, the current economic system was born."
Click.
While speaking, the professor pressed his computer keyboard to change the slides again. The next image showed what looked like a huge, circular, glass building.
Click.
With another keystroke, the following image reflected the same building but from the front; one could see a large staircase leading to two grand revolving doors. Above the doors was the same logo used for the Confederation's currency, with the letters BCDK in gold just below.
"...And thus, they created the Central Digital Bank of the Confederation, located in the Southeastern Hemisphere. Take it as a curious fact; of course, a building won't magically make the neighborhoods devastated by bombs rise again, but as the famous saying goes, 'Money is a powerful knight.'"
With a smile, Professor Lundström pressed the keyboard again, and an image appeared where a man in a suit was warmly shaking hands with another man dressed in work overalls.