Louisville BusinessDaily

Would it be feasible to return to an ancient bartering system ?

Ok so recession is deepening and the future looks rather grim for the poor sods sucked into the whole capitalism game! So wouldn't it make sense to return to a bartering system ? could it work? forget money and swap goods and services instead? To kick things orf.... I would be more than happy to dig anyone a reliable trench for perimeter security requirements in return for colonic irrigation? Any takers what?

Public Comments

1. No. How would you barter for internet access?
2. What would you do for a bus fare ? Or to "pay" your water bill ?
3. Try Craigslist.
4. No it wouldn't work on a grand scale. With the sophistication of products and services available today it would be impossible to catalog and create a central database for people to know where/who to go to get what they need. In ancient times people didn't have a preference for "grass fed no hormone steak" or "kosher". They bartered for meat, clothes and weapons in general. Today there are so many varieties that people would waste their time trying to locate someone who has what they needed. Savvy sales people barter every day anyway -People constantly "swap" services and goods. To an e
5. Dumb...really dumb. Capitalism is not a game, it is the only economic system that WORKS!
6. no, not many people actually make things and money is the way to get goods or services from those who dont want your goods or services so you give your goods or services to someone in exchange for money
7. Its a good idea, but I think you have a slight problem. You're offering services that could be useful to a minority of the community, but is colonic irrigation the only thing you'd be interested in as a swap? Its not a pleasant job. Could you not widen that a little to something more attractive, such as personal treatment for piles, curled and yellowed toenail clipping, nasal hair removal - that kind of thing?
8. No, it wouldn't work my friend. I think the only way forward is to appoint a resource based economy. It is resources that we purchase with our money. How does it make sense to charge humankind to eat food to live or charge an amount of money to live inside a house that's safe? A resource based economy that gives where needed instead of a system like the monetary system that works on profit and profit alone.
9. I am sure there is a lot of it going on already in this overtaxed country.
10. People currently barter for many things, from babysitting to car repairs, there is no reason for many things that a person cannot currently pay cash for but they do have the talent for. Granted it would not work for everything, as some things would still require cash payments, but look around your community, use Craigslist or freecycle for the things you want or need. There are probably other web sites that have info on setting up this kind of system as well.
11. Bartering is not such a dumb idea, no vat, duty, stamp duty capital gains tax, trade goes on and the thieving Government do not get a bean. I will be round later with my stirrup pump, flue brush and wellies.
12. Actually it is a good system on an ad hoc basis.