The Principles of Economics, with Applications to Practical ProblemsFetter, Frank A. (Frank Albert)
General
The Principles of Economics, with Applications to Practical Problems
Fetter, Frank A. (Frank Albert)
Economics
1. _The money use, historically considered, is a new use added to a
good, and increases the demand for that good._ The history of any
particular kind of money may be traced back to a point where it was not
money, since which the money use has been added gradually to the other
uses. The value of the material later to become money is determined, as
is that of any good, according to its marginal utility in all possible
applications. No new theory is required to explain the value of this
same commodity as it gradually acquires the added use of a medium of
exchange. The new use influences demand for the thing just as do the
other uses. What is here said must be understood as applying to typical
money, which is at the same time a commodity having other uses. Other
things that are not typical money come later to be used as money, under
legal regulations.
[Sidenote: The other uses continue, slightly modified by the money use]
2. _A good that comes to be used as money continues to have a commodity
use along with the money use._ When a thing is wanted for some quality
that gives immediate gratification to the user, the explanation of its
value is simple. Ornaments, shells, feathers, food can be seen to have a
direct want-gratifying power. The money use is one that works no
physical or visible change in goods, and to many minds it appears so
different from other utilities that it remains quite mysterious and
incomprehensible. To persons accustomed to thinking on problems of
value, this case appears to be no more difficult than that of anything
else having two or more uses. Cows are used for milk, for meat, and as
beasts of burden. Each of these uses is logically independent as a cause
of value, yet all are mutually related, the values of cattle being
determined by the consideration of all their uses united into one scale
of diminishing utility.
[Sidenote: Money yields a series of rents which are the basis of its
value]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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