Should We Get Rid Of Cash?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of digital payments?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions: 

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the U.S. should phase out paper money and rely fully on digital transactions. The issue is timely because the number of Americans who use digital payment systems is growing.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Franz Paasche is an executive at PayPal, a company that created a very popular digital payment system. Martin Chorzempa is a senior fellow at an organization that studies global economic issues.)  

• Analyze Paasche’s view. (Paasche argues in favor of phasing out cash. He says current trends show that people are turning more toward digital transactions over cash, which he believes will continue. He also notes that digital transactions are more reliable, safer, and more convenient than cash.)

• Analyze Chorzempa’s view. (Chorzempa argues against phasing out cash. He says that cash is necessary for the 6 million Americans who don’t have a bank account or are not digitally savvy. He also notes that many digital transactions have added fees and can put your privacy at risk, and that using cash keeps people from overspending.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should we get rid of cash? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.