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Restricting or Abolishing Cash: An Effective Instrument for Fighting the Shadow Economy, Crime and Terrorism?

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  • Friedrich Schneider

Abstract

This paper has four goals: First, the use of cash as a possible driving factor of the shadow economy is investigated. Second, the use of cash in crime, here especially in corruption, is also econometrically investigated. The influence is somewhat larger than on the shadow economy, but it is certainly not a decisive factor for bribery activities. Some figures about organized crime are also shown; the importance of cash is diminishing. Third, some remarks about terrorism are made and here a cash limit doesn’t prevent terrorism. Fourth, some remarks are made about the restriction or abolishment of cash on civil liberties, with the result that this will extremely limit them. The conclusion of this paper is that cash has a minor influence on the shadow economy, crime and terrorism, but potentially a major influence on civil liberties.

Suggested Citation

  • Friedrich Schneider, 2017. "Restricting or Abolishing Cash: An Effective Instrument for Fighting the Shadow Economy, Crime and Terrorism?," Economics working papers 2017-08, Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
    • Handle: RePEc:jku:econwp:2017_08
    Note: English
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    38. Friedrich Schneider, 2013. "The Financial Flows of Transnational Crime and Tax Fraud in OECD Countries," Public Finance Review, , vol. 41(5), pages 677-707, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michele Manna, 2022. "The bonfire of banknotes," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 25, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    2. Alvarez, Fernando & Argente, David & Jimenez, Rafael & Lippi, Francesco, 2022. "Cash: A Blessing or a curse?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 85-128.
    3. Francesco Flaviano Russo, 2022. "Cash thresholds, cash expenditure and tax evasion," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(4), pages 387-403, December.
    4. Franz Seitz & Hans-Eggert Reimers & Friedrich Schneider, 2018. "Cash in Circulation and the Shadow Economy: An Empirical Investigation for Euro Area Countries and Beyond," CESifo Working Paper Series 7143, CESifo.
    5. Richters, Oliver & Siemoneit, Andreas, 2019. "Marktwirtschaft reparieren: Entwurf einer freiheitlichen, gerechten und nachhaltigen Utopie," EconStor Books, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 213814, June.
    6. Anastasiya A. Anisimova, 2020. "Opportunities and Prospects for Russia’s Transition to a Cashless Society," Finansovyj žhurnal — Financial Journal, Financial Research Institute, Moscow 125375, Russia, issue 5, pages 30-42, October.
    7. Svetlana V. Krivoruchko, 2019. "Demand for Money and Circulation of Large Face Value Banknotes: Current Trends," Finansovyj žhurnal — Financial Journal, Financial Research Institute, Moscow 125375, Russia, issue 2, pages 96-108, April.
    8. Hendrickson, Joshua R. & Park, Jaevin, 2021. "The case against eliminating large denomination bills," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).

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    Keywords

    cash; cash limit; shadow economy; crime; corruption; transnational crime organizations; financial proceeds; money laundering; illegal cross-border flows; tax fraud figures.;
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