Why Do We Use Money and Would We Still Work Without It?
What is Money and Where Did It Come From?
A long time ago, before we had coins and paper money, people used a system called bartering. This means if I had apples and you had shoes, I could trade some of my apples to get one of your shoes. But this was sometimes tricky because what if you didn’t want my apples?
So, people started using things like animal skins, salt, and even weapons as a way to trade. It was like early money because many people wanted these things and they were easy to carry around.
Then, in a place called China, they started making coins around 640 BCE. These coins had pictures on them to show how much they were worth. A bit later, in a place called Lydia, they made coins from a mix of silver and gold. These coins made buying and selling things much easier.
After a while, instead of heavy coins, people in China began using paper as money. This was a big change and made trading even easier. Soon, other places started using paper money too.
Why Do People Work?
People work for many reasons. One big reason is to earn money so they can buy things they need or want. But work isn’t just about money. It’s also about helping others, feeling good about what we do, and being part of a group or community.
In some places, like Rwanda, people don’t always use money. Instead, they give gifts to show they care and to help each other. In other places, like Uganda, people might give things instead of money to become friends or start a relationship.
Would We Work If We Didn’t Have Money?
So, if we didn’t have money, would we still work? The answer is yes! Even without money, people like to help each other, make things, and be part of a group. We like to feel useful and to share with others. So, even if there was no money, we would still find reasons to work and help our community.
References:
- Investopedia – The History of Money: Bartering to Banknotes to Bitcoin
- Gift economy and well-being: A mode of economy playing out in recovery from Rwandan tragedies
**I omitted some references due to mature content**