Question

How does money solve the problem of double coincidence of wants? Explain with an example of your own.

How does money solve the problem of double coincidence of wants?

Answer 1

Money solves the problem of double coincidence of wants by acting as a medium of exchange. Double coincidence of wants implies a situation where two parties agree to sell and buy each other’s commodities, i.e., what one party desires to sell is exactly what the other party wishes to buy. Money does away with this tedious and complex situation by acting as a medium of exchange that can be used for all commodities. For example, if an ice-cream vendor wants a bicycle but the bicycle manufacturer wants clothes, and not ice-creams, then the vendor can use the money to obtain a bicycle. He does need to adhere to the bicycle man’s needs because money acts as the common medium of exchange. Similarly, the bicycle manufacturer can then use the money to buy clothes.