About Government as Payor of Last Resort in Terms of Receivables Assignment
About Government as Payor of Last Resort in Terms of Receivables Assignment
Government as Payor of Last Resort refers to the role of the government in stepping in to fulfill the obligations of debtors when they are unable or unwilling to pay their creditors. This role has significant implications in the context of receivables assignment, particularly when transitioning from a debt-based currency system (fiat currency) to a credit-based monetary system, such as the Credit-to-Credit Monetary System.
Government as the Assignee of Last Resort
When the government steps in as Payor of Last Resort, it essentially becomes the assignee of the receivables originally assigned to financial institutions or investors. This means the government assumes the right to collect on those receivables, either from the original debtor or through other means of settlement.
- Assumption of Receivables: The government takes on the responsibility of managing and collecting the outstanding receivables. This includes enforcing payment terms, pursuing legal action if necessary, and managing any risks associated with the receivables.
- Consolidation of Receivables: Over time, the government may consolidate a significant portion of the outstanding debt within the economy, gaining substantial control over economic activity. This consolidation can be a powerful tool for managing economic stability and directing credit flow to critical sectors.
- Strategic Management: With control over a large volume of receivables, the government can strategically manage these assets to support broader economic goals, such as stabilizing financial markets, ensuring liquidity, or supporting distressed sectors.
Benefits to the Government as the Assignee of Last Resort
As the assignee of last resort in receivables assignment, the government gains several benefits, particularly in transitioning from a debt-based currency system to a credit-based monetary system:
- Enhanced Control Over the Economy: The government can influence the flow of credit within the economy, ensuring that critical sectors receive the support they need while maintaining overall financial stability.
- Facilitation of Transition to Credit-Based Money: By holding a substantial portion of the economy’s receivables, the government can more easily manage the creation and distribution of credit-based money, ensuring the new currency is stable and fully backed by tangible assets.
- Reduction of National Debt: Moving away from a debt-based system allows the government to reduce its reliance on borrowing, decreasing the national debt and associated interest payments. The government can use the receivables it holds to settle obligations, further reducing the debt burden.
- Strengthening the Financial System: Consolidating receivables under the government’s control can lead to a more stable and transparent financial environment, reducing reliance on speculative instruments and ensuring that the money supply is directly linked to real economic value.
- Promoting Economic Stability and Growth: With control over a significant portion of the nation’s receivables, the government can better manage economic cycles, providing counter-cyclical support during downturns and ensuring steady growth during periods of expansion.
Challenges and Considerations
While the government’s role as Payor and Assignee of Last Resort offers significant benefits, there are challenges that must be managed:
- Moral Hazard: The expectation that the government will always step in could lead to excessive risk-taking by financial institutions. To mitigate this, stringent regulatory oversight and clear guidelines on government intervention are necessary.
- Administrative Complexity: Managing a large portfolio of receivables requires significant administrative capacity. The government must have the systems and expertise in place to manage these receivables effectively.
- Transition Costs: Transitioning from a debt-based system to a credit-based system involves significant costs in financial resources and restructuring financial institutions and markets. However, these costs are outweighed by the long-term benefits of a stable, asset-backed currency.
Rebuttal to Challenges and Considerations
It is important to recognize that in the current debt-based fiat currency system, the government already acts as the Payor and Assignee of Last Resort, albeit without the direct benefits associated with this role. Governments frequently intervene to stabilize financial markets, bail out failing institutions, and provide liquidity in times of crisis, often without any tangible backing for the money issued.
- Current System Lacks Direct Benefits: In the fiat system, government interventions often lead to increased national debt, inflation, and financial instability. The transition to a credit-based system allows the government to act as Payor of Last Resort with the backing of real assets, turning what is currently a liability into a potential asset.
- Direct Benefit to the Public: Transitioning to a credit-based system allows both the government and the public to benefit from the stabilization of currency and the economy. In a credit-based system, this investment is transparent and tied to real economic value, reducing the risk of inflation and financial crises.
- Reduction in Moral Hazard: While moral hazard is a concern, the credit-based system inherently mitigates this risk by ensuring that money creation is tied to tangible assets. This creates a natural check on excessive risk-taking.
- Lower Transition Costs: Although transitioning to a credit-based system involves costs, these are outweighed by the long-term benefits of a stable, asset-backed currency. The transition process can be managed gradually, allowing the economy to adjust without significant disruption.
- Conclusion
The government’s role as Payor and Assignee of Last Resort in receivables assignment within a credit-based monetary system offers significant advantages over the current fiat-based system. While challenges exist, they are manageable through careful planning and regulation. Transitioning to a credit-based system allows the government to leverage its position to benefit the economy directly, turning a reactive, crisis-driven role into a proactive, stabilizing force for long-term economic growth and stability