Palmer, Daniel Dwight, authorBernasek, Alexandra, advisorVasudevan, Ramaa, committee memberMcCulloch, Michael L., committee member2007-01-032007-01-032011http://hdl.handle.net/10217/47438A History of Interest uses methods inspired by the work of Michel Foucault to uncover institutional aspects of credit and debt. It explores three hypotheses and covers the period 1290-1914. During this period, Anglo-American society went from a system of debt conscription and usury restrictions in the Middle Ages to a system of voluntary bankruptcy and credit reporting by the late 19th century. This thesis explains how that transition occurred. Situating these changes in Foucault's notion of disciplinary writing, it also suggests what that transition means for the modern world.born digitalmasters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.bankruptcycredit reportingdebtor's prisondebt peonageFoucaultusuryText