The phrase "bad money drives out good" refers to the phenomenon where currency of lower quality is preferred over currency of higher quality. In IPA phonetic transcription, "bad" is spelled /bæd/ and "money" is spelled /ˈmʌni/. "Drives" is spelled /draɪvz/ and "out" is spelled /aʊt/. "Good" is spelled /ɡʊd/. This phrase dates back to the 16th century and is often used in discussions about currency devaluation and economic principles.
"Bad money drives out good" is a phrase derived from Gresham's Law, which posits that in a monetary system where both good and bad money are in circulation, the bad money tends to displace or drive out the good money.
In simple terms, this principle suggests that when both valuable or reliable currency (good money) and less valuable or unreliable currency (bad money) are both accepted as legal tender for transactions, people tend to hoard or save the good money while spending or circulating the bad money. This phenomenon occurs due to individuals' rational behavior, as they prefer holding onto currency that retains its value over time, if given a choice.
Consequently, the circulation of bad money increases, leading to a shortage of good money in circulation. This phenomenon may harm the economy by reducing the overall value and trust in the currency. People may become wary of accepting the currency for transactions, due to its depreciated value or lack of reliability, causing a decline in economic stability.
Overall, the adage of "bad money drives out good" signifies that when people have to choose between two forms of money, they tend to hold onto the currency they deem more valuable and spend the currency considered less valuable, ultimately diminishing the use of the more valuable currency. This phenomenon highlights the importance of stable and trustworthy monetary systems to maintain economic stability and public trust in the currency.