Paper money is called fiat money because
- It is issued with authority of government
- It is convertible into gold
- It can be easily printed
- It is light weight
Correct answer: It is issued with authority of government
Answer Explanation
Paper money is called fiat money because it is issued with authority of government. Fiat money is referred to as such because it is issued and accepted as a medium of exchange solely based on the authority and trust vested in it by the government.
The value of fiat money is derived exclusively from the confidence people place in the government and its capability to maintain the stability of the currency, unlike commodity money, such as gold and silver coins. Among the most common forms of currency in modern economies, fiat money represents a currency system in which the government declares the currency legal tender.
The Latin word “fiat” signifies “let it be done” or “it shall be.” This emphasizes that the value of fiat money is determined solely by the government’s decree rather than by a physical commodity or intrinsic value.
There have been a variety of forms of money used throughout history, from commodity money to representative money to fiat money. The metals themselves held intrinsic value as commodity money, whereas representative money was backed by a promise to exchange it for a specific amount of gold or silver. A growing complexity of economies made it impractical to carry or exchange physical commodities.
With the need for a convenient and efficient medium of exchange, governments issued paper money as a representation of value backed by the authority of the government. Initially, early forms of paper money were often backed by a reserve of precious metals, but eventually, this linkage evolved into a fully fiat system.
Why the other options are not correct
b. It is convertible into gold:
The option (b) is incorrect because fiat money is not backed by a physical commodity like gold, nor is it convertible into any specific commodity. As part of the gold standard, some currencies were linked to gold when they were exchanged for gold upon demand by the government.
The gold standard, however, was abandoned by the majority of countries in the 20th century, and fiat money became a popular currency worldwide. Some currencies were convertible into gold before the transition to fiat money.
Nowadays, however, currencies are no longer directly tied to gold or any other commodity. Instead, their value is determined by the government’s declaration and by the trust of the people in the government’s ability to manage the currency.
c. It can be easily printed
Paper money is not referred to as fiat money because it is easily printed. While it is true that paper money can be printed by the government, the crucial characteristic of fiat money is that its acceptance and value are determined by the government’s authority. And not by its ease of printing.
Various monetary policies and regulations implemented by the central bank and the government maintain the value of fiat money. The ability to print money is indeed a characteristic of fiat money.
However, the mere fact that it can be printed does not give it value. The printing of excessive amounts of money by a government without adequate economic support can lead to inflation and hyperinflation, in which the value of its currency rapidly diminishes.
d. It is lightweight:
Option (d) does not apply to the term “fiat money.” Paper money is not defined as fiat money because of its weight or physical characteristics. As long as the government has authority over the currency and as long as the people trust it, it remains fiat money.
In general, paper money does not have a direct relationship with its status as fiat money based on its physical characteristics, such as its weight. Rather, its value is determined by the confidence and acceptance of the people and the government, not by any inherent physical value.
Conclusion
Accordingly, paper money is referred to as fiat money since it is issued and accepted by the government as legal tender based on the authority and trust it has been given. People’s confidence in the stability of the issuing government and its ability to manage the currency responsibly determines the value of fiat money.
In order to ensure currency stability and economic well-being, we need to understand the concept of fiat money as well as the role of central banks. As a result of the adoption of fiat money, the dynamics of the global economy have been significantly influenced,
Paper money has become an integral part of modern monetary systems as well. A stable and prosperous economy can be fostered by recognizing the importance of fiat money and its role in facilitating economic transactions.
Under normal circumstances, the velocity of circulation of money in a country is