why couldnt we have the same currency ($dollar) worldwide?
448054
Because the size and power of every economy is different, there were still exchange rates when the Euro took over, but it was fixed at a certain point for every country and then diluted into the new currency. It really wouldn't be fair to dilute the buying power of the U.S. dollar or Japanese Yen by pegging its value to that of the Mexican Peso.
1153642
Because US is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. People are living a good life compare to the rest of the world. They have education, health care, basic services, advance technology, a largely advanced military, free media, etc.\n\nYes, the US govt is borrowing lots of money, but consumer spending is unbelievable. One of the richest countries in the world, and yet lack of education in finance. Most of these people don't know how to save.\n\nIn economical sense, the value of the dollar is constantly fluctuating. You need to understand Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy to understand it.
222954
I think that's because floating exchange rate system has an advantage that it can reflect supply and demand of market derectly to the exchange rate between currencies.  And you don't have to spend your foreign reserves.\n\nIn fixed rate sysytem, governments are required to use their foreign reserves to keep exchange rate at the fixed value.  But sometimes they used up all reserves and no longer are able to maintain fixed rate system.\n\nIn 1998, Thailand and Indonesia floated their currencies just because they exhausted all their reserves.
138878
Because there is not enough stored gold to guarantee the value of the currency in circulation. That is why the US went to the silver standard. Then we found out that there is not enough silver to guarantee the value of the currency in circulation. That is why US currency is now backed by "the full faith and credit of the United States."
375677
Yes. In many ways it began with the advent of the euro. It is inevitable that the lines that divide nation states will blur as the centuries pass. Many, most, world economies today depend on other nations for economic support and trade, one of the first steps in global unification must be the integration and enforcement of a single world currency.\n\nThere will, and can, never be an end to currency. For as long as humans have existed there has been some kind of exchange for goods or services offered. Whether the bone necklaces and tools traded (used as currency) by our prehistoric ancestors or present day credit card transactions there is a need for some form of currency to obtain something in which one cannot make, whether through lack of skill or resources, for themselves. As long as humanity exists some form of currency must exist.
971230
you cant. thats why its called a sacagewia dollar
694901
As one of my finance professors so clearly stated it... "In God We Trust".  It is on every piece of paper and coin in the US.  There is no backing or "gold standard" of the almighty dollar anymore.  It is really just a highly accepted form of trade for a common tool for bartering.
1055622
There are both political and financial reason for not doing it.\n\nWhilst the existing member states are ignoring their obligations to the stability pact rules, why should we prop up their currency?
711360
Money runs ever country in the world, not just the US.  \nit is not so humorous when in reality that is what makes the world go around, and the one with the most mola, get to hold the ruling stick.
523054
because the dollar is more stable than their own currency
454229
No, very little of the world's money is actually held as printed currency. Banks have the unique ability to create money, by taking people's savings and loaning them out. Depending on the banks required reserve rate (the amount kept for daily transactions) banks can create over $2000 from a $100 deposit.
9377
The present denominations of our currency in production are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The purpose of the United States currency system is to serve the needs of the public and these denominations meet that goal. Our present currency in circulation satisfies the public at large, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has no plans to change the denominations in use today. (excluding coins)
830030
Canada has a dollar coin that is roughly the same size as ours, and it is also copper colored. It is frequently found in circulation along with the ringed bi-metal $2 coin. Why is it a success? Quite simply, Canada stopped printing $1 (and $2) banknotes. The US hasn't and won't take that step due to popular demand for $1 banknotes.\nIt isn't the size or the color that made the $1 coin a failure. It is the preference for paper $1 bills.\nBy the way, the new $1 coin series appears to be aimed at the collector market instaed of circulation.\nAlso, there is one place that the $1 coin has been an unqualified success: Ecuador. In 2001, Ecuador abandoned their own iflation-racked currecy in favor of the US dollar. We exported 200 million of the Sacajawea $1 coins there, and they are very readily accepted. In fact, many Ecuadoreans think that the portrait is of an Ecuadorean woman and not Sacajawea.
503309
Because society accepts it for payment of obligations.  Government endorsement helps, but is not sufficient.  In countries with weak currencies, alternate currencies form or other currencies are substituted.  In the US, over the last several years, organizations primarily in the West, have been printing silver depository receipts and they have been circulating them as tender for payment of goods and services.  They have had substantial support considering that there is no government or banking guarantee of the funds.  It is a warning sign of the failure of the "full faith and credit," to be accepted by Americans.
68145
US dollar\nwhen our ecnomy sinks, so does the worlds, they don't really counterfeit Euros ( why would you want to ) as US Dollar is tops worldwide ( we export billions to other countries ). Sure other currencies may rise against the dollar, but everyone want our US dollar, everyone.
431433
This depends on the current political/economic welfare of the country that distributes each currency.\n\nFor instance, when the U.S. overthrew Saddam Hussien, the worth of the currency in Iraq dropped drastically.  Therefore, it was a great time to purchase Iraq currency, because from that point on it could only go up in value.  There are not many U.S. banks that exchage their currency with U.S. currency, however.  \n\nI guess my first statement probably answered your question the best.  It would take a little research to learn if you would earn anything on these exchanges.  It's kind of like the stock market - you have to know when to get out.
442337
The short of it is that the countries tried to keep exchange rates relatively stable by have a currency peg based on gold.  They were allowed a little bit of room (1%) but beyond that the countries had to trade currency to get back within the range.\n\nThe long of it is here.\nhttp://www.polsci.ucsb.edu/faculty/cohen/inpress/bretton.html\n\nOr at the Wiki.