Definitions [1]
Definition: Barter System
“The direct exchange of economic goods, one for another.” — Chandler
Key Points
Key Points: Barter System
The barter system’s limitations—double coincidence of wants, no standard value, storage issues, indivisibility, and deferred payments—led to the invention of money, which streamlined trade and economic growth.
Key Points: Functions of Money
- Medium of Exchange & Measure of Value: Money is used to buy and sell goods and services and to express prices, income, and expenditure in a common unit.
- Standard of Deferred Payments & Store of Value: Money makes future payments (loans, wages) easy and allows saving for future needs.
- Transfer of Value & Liquidity: Money helps transfer value across persons and places and is the most liquid form of wealth.
- Basis of Credit & Economic Measurement: Money forms the base of bank credit and helps measure national income and other macroeconomic variables.
