Would chaos necessarily occur if money didn't exist?

Answer 1

Define money.

If we define money as a Fiat currency unit we can look to the numerous examples of hyperinflation and see the human reaction (Mexican Peso, Confederate Dollar, German Mark, etc.) we see a brief period of chaos and a new store of wealth takes their place (either a new fiat currency unit, gold, silver or barter)

If we define money as any store of wealth, I don't think it could simply "not exist" because mankind for thousands of years has used some form of "money" to store wealth whether it is food, gold, silver, cattle, cowrie shells, etc.

Answer 2

Without money, alternative systems of exchange and resource allocation would likely emerge. While there may be challenges in transitioning away from a monetary system, it does not necessarily mean chaos would occur. Human societies have functioned without money in the past, and new forms of trade and cooperation could develop in the absence of monetary transactions.