Sweden has determined that it will attempt a cash-free society in the not-so-distant future. As it is, demand for hard cash is not prominent so perhaps, for Sweden, it will not represent that much of a change. However, hearing the story did make me consider whether such actions in the United States would be a good idea.
As it stands, few people in the United States uses cash on a regular basis. That fact is the basis of support for such a measure. Consider how often you use cash. At the store or online, credit cards are the preferred options. Additionally, in a society increasingly incapable of doing math, it prevents the slow, torturous experience of watching a 17-year-old struggling with how much change to give back if the register is down or some other calamity has prevented modern technology to do the calculations for them. There is also the safety factor claimed by many advocates for the doing away of cash. This, of course, would be predicated on the enforcement of businesses actually checking for identification when using a credit card to purchase. That is likely another issue to tackle at a later date. Lastly, and professed by the more technologically engulfed members of the opposition, cash simply is outdated and no longer needed. With so many other options available to pay, without handling actual money, why have the expense to print dollar bills?
Then, there are those who are wary of such a measure. From a strictly selfish point of view, I was told once as a child that the ridding of society of money was the first step towards the apocalypse. Personally, I’m trying to stave off that event. I have too much I would like to do. While true, there are plenty of other things that are hurtling us towards that final moment, this is my concern today. On a more serious note, are there not a host of smaller, sometimes off the books, purchases we make that would require cash? How do you pay the pimply kid mowing your lawn or other likewise requirements? These scenarios will provide a challenge. However, greatest of all is the psychological boost of having money in your hand. Having an American Express card is not quite the same.
In review, I don’t like the idea. I’m a fan of cash and use it as often as I can. I’m one of those people who are a little embarrassed about the idea of using a credit card for purchases less than $10. I’m also uncomfortable with a cashless society because I’ve been on the receiving end of identity theft and credit card fraud. I believe there will always be the need for cash and doing away with it altogether is potentially problematic. But, hey, if it works for Sweden as they swipe their cards instead of placing cash in the collection plate on Sundays, then good for them.
A couple of thoughts on a cashless society.1) Can you imagine a drug dealer doing transactions by electronic payment? 2)So many transactions are "off the books" that the underground economy would come to a virtual stand still. Maybe good news, maybe bad, but it is still real GDP that gets effected as the "underground economy's money still gets into circulation in the "main stream".
ReplyDelete3)If you're in to paranoia, electronic transfers of money are trackable by ..... fill in whomever you fear at this point. 4) A resent report that I read in The Economist stated that when consumer use debit/credit cards for purchases that tend to spend, on the average 25% more than if they paid cash. Now that may be good news for GDP growth, but it plays hell with the Average Propensity to Save and out nations ability to amass needed reserves. Just sayin"!