In line with some of the economic posts I’ve done on here, I’d like to take a look at a lesser-known section of the economy: barter. I’ll give some history, explore some of the potential difficulties, and illustrate how it might work in a survival situation.
Barter is perhaps one of the oldest forms of economic exchange. Before money, most of our ancestors simply traded for goods or services they wanted. If one wanted a bear robe that someone else possessed, the thing to do was to approach that person, and see what you could trade them for the item. The other would indicate his needs (perhaps an oil lamp), and if you had the needed items, you’d make the trade.
More recently, the backwoods economy of 16th-19thcentury America depended on barter. Fur traders would take their collection to the nearest trading post, and depending on the weight.
Barter has followed us into the modern world. Browse the popular website Craigslist, and you’ll notice the ‘barter’ section. This has numerous postings for trades, such as DJ’s offering their services, different vehicles being traded, or the ever popular stereo system-for-guns ads. Type ‘Ammo’ into the search field and you’ll find dozens of ads. The internet has made barter a real alternative to paying money for goods and services. One can simply post an item, or a want ad, request people to email trades, and many times end up with a good exchange.of his pelts, would get an appropriate amount of supplies in return. Farmers would take their produce and livestock into town, and receive goods from the general store.
