ABSTRACT
In primitive barter, even when money begins to intervene, there is no dominance of any party over any other. Each knows his own positive interest and need, and closes the bargain willingly, with open eyes, thinking it on the whole to his own advantage. This advantage will not be equal on both sides. The need to sell may be greater than the wish to buy; resources and foresight may be unequal in the two bargainers; one may be making a clear gain and the other only postponing disaster; yet even the latter acts freely, and is not fleeced anonymously, without his knowledge or consent.
