A gold standard would just not work today, at least that's what author and Inc. editor James Ledbetter thinks. Speaking with Kitco News days before the release of his latest book - One Nation Under Gold - he shares his strong views against returning to a gold standard. I don't see a return to a gold standard making any sense either for the U.S. or the world economy, it would be tremendously disruptive to the financial system,' he said. I just don't see it as practical in any way.' What sparked Ledbetter's interest in the yellow metal were the Republican candidates during the 2016 primaries, who touted about potentially returning to some form of a gold standard. Nowhere else in the world is that discussion happening at that high a political level in a major political party,' he said. However, despite not owning gold himself, Ledbetter still sees the importance of the metal in the economy. I think gold has a place in the monetary system both in the U.S. and globally, but it's just not at the center of the system.'