Post # 4

 Let's now focus on the second way to own property.  Trade.  

Trade is to civilization as sunlight is to plants.  Trade naturally results in mutual benefit otherwise it would not take place.  The custom of thanking each other after a trade is an indication of how this works.  

There are two ways to trade.  The first way is called barter.

I will give you one of my tomatoes for one of your apples.  

The problem with barter is that you can't always find someone to barter with or what you have to barter may be indivisible.  Thus barter limits the amount of trade that can take place.

Why is this important?  Limited trade means limited specialization.  Specialization increases productivity.  See how your life would change if you were not allowed to trade for anything.  

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