If taxation is all you can find to support the idea of governments forcing their fiat money on the people, it’s not much of a case.
I don’t see any need for a case. Looking at the world empirically, I see governments everywhere having a lot of success in “forcing their fiat money on the people”. Even in the third world where not infrequently there is a parallel currency (like USD or EUR) in circulation, the local currency is still being actively used. For one, the government pays in it so if you work for the state or you’re a business which sold something to the state, local currency is what you get.
What else would I use anyway? Tobacco? Farm produce? Old Master paintings? Oh, actually, all of those have been used at various times and places.
You’re certainly right that some governments, some of the time, allow payment in-kind and don’t impose a currency. Most modern governments, however, do require you to pay your taxes in the national currency. Can you pay HMRC in anything other than UK pounds?
What else would I use anyway? Tobacco? Farm produce? Old Master paintings? Oh, actually, all of those have been used at various times and places.
If taxation is all you can find to support the idea of governments forcing their fiat money on the people, it’s not much of a case.
I don’t see any need for a case. Looking at the world empirically, I see governments everywhere having a lot of success in “forcing their fiat money on the people”. Even in the third world where not infrequently there is a parallel currency (like USD or EUR) in circulation, the local currency is still being actively used. For one, the government pays in it so if you work for the state or you’re a business which sold something to the state, local currency is what you get.
You’re certainly right that some governments, some of the time, allow payment in-kind and don’t impose a currency. Most modern governments, however, do require you to pay your taxes in the national currency. Can you pay HMRC in anything other than UK pounds?