Always start with the obvious

This to-ing and fro-ing reflects the complex relationships Americans have had (and Zelizer has documented) with money. Is it “the root of all evil”; or is it a means to engage in philanthropy — for example, supporting religion (a tension even among the Puritans — see here); or is it Americans’ way of measure of talent and motivation; or is it corruption? Or is it all these things some of the time?

Another Berkeley professor attempts the esoteric.

Money might just be the tool we use to signal our perception of scarcity? 
This is why UC Berkeley has its reputation.