2005•International Economic ReviewRequires access

BEYOND SEARCH: FIAT MONEY IN ORGANIZED EXCHANGE*

Peter Howitt

Abstract

A model of fiat money is constructed in which spatial separation and the logistics of communication are made explicit as in search theory, but exchange is organized by profit‐seeking business enterprises as in all market economies. Firms mitigate search costs by opening shops that are easily located. Equilibria may exist in which fiat money is used as a universal medium of exchange. When a monetary equilibrium exists, fiat money is essential. The model provides a foundation to cash‐in‐advance theory, without specifying in advance that one object will be used as the universal medium of exchange.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 60 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

Key concepts: Fiat money, Medium of exchange, Profit (economics), Cash, Economics, Monetary economics, Search theory, Object (grammar)