>Are you suggesting that the US military will use force to ensure that people use the dollar and that is its backing? Not the OP, but the governments' 'monopol

>Are you suggesting that the US military will use force to ensure that people use the dollar and that is its backing? Not the OP, but the governments' 'monopoly on violence' usually refers to the fact that they hold position as the sole enforcement authority. Dollar is 'backed' by a reputation/record of US government fulfilling it's debt obligations. As the enforcement authority, they can/will use force to secure an operating revenue via tax collection. The specifics of what people use to transact, is more flexible. So the dollar is backed by US Government's ability to fulfill it's future debts. The method it uses to extract (something of value, payment is currently required in $ format) from it's citizenry to pay them is less important, but a 'monopoly on violence' sure helps with collection efforts ;-)