Village inhabitants don't depend on money to exchange things among themselves, since there is not enough coins available. Not even bartering, for one can't depend on the great coincidence that two people have exactly what the other needs in matching quantities. Everything works on the basis of trust, mutual debt and favor exchange. The fisherman gives off fishes to the others, who in turn will give him things such as a hat and rope in the future. Who doesn't participate or doesn't honour his debts becomes a pariah which can't count with a neighbor's bread when his preserves spoil. The village chief is specially important because he manages tensions such as when someone needs something and whoever has it doesn't want to let go of some of it. Few peasants will actually deal with money. In a hundred-strong village, it's likely only the chief has coins. He uses them to negotiate with travellers, adventurers and any strangers which need something but can't ensure a future favor. This way, he acquires things the village needs, although his personal needs and wants are probably mixed in this. This system works in numbers small enough that everyone knows everyone. It might even work among chiefs of different villages and merchants with regular routes. In towns and cities, money becomes necessary in the daily routine and it's more likely someone receives coins instead of promises. However, neighborhoods and districts inside the cities might still use the mutual debt system.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário