“Man is an animal that makes bargains (or exchanges): no other animal does this - no dog exchanges bones with another”. (Smith, A. (n.d.) Whether man is an animal or better described as a creature, notwithstanding, it can easily be said, even taken as an axiom that humans are actors in the economy. Even Robinson Crusoe on his little island maybe described as an economic actor in so far as he is motivated to behave based on factors such as scarcity, choice and cost. It has been said that “man produces in order to consume”, nay; it may be better to say fundamentally that man must consume in order to survive. (Bastiat, F., White, H., & M. (1870) Our Robinson Crusoe must find and eat food, seek shelter from the elements simply to continue living. Even on a deserted island our stranded sailor must behave,
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Now Robinson has someone with who he can trade, with whom he can divide the labor and skill. Friday, at least in one old movie was kind of tall and skinny, perfect for climbing trees. This may be of intense benefit to both as now Robinson can devote himself to simply building houses. As well, there may be more time for both to engage in leisure and relaxation (with a potentially long term “vacation” on a deserted island who wouldn’t want to take in some of the beach?). All this gives opportunity for both Robinson and Friday to more freely exchange goods and services. With more coconuts and adequate housing both may have more time to think about being on a deserted island with nothing to do. They may then have to find something to do, such as considering the idea of building a vessel to escape, or perhaps find some way to develop a signal fire. Not to mention that someone may eventually come sailing by with a big old ship demanding money for rescue. Robinson and Friday may in turn determine to devote time to diving for
Now Robinson has someone with who he can trade, with whom he can divide the labor and skill. Friday, at least in one old movie was kind of tall and skinny, perfect for climbing trees. This may be of intense benefit to both as now Robinson can devote himself to simply building houses. As well, there may be more time for both to engage in leisure and relaxation (with a potentially long term “vacation” on a deserted island who wouldn’t want to take in some of the beach?). All this gives opportunity for both Robinson and Friday to more freely exchange goods and services. With more coconuts and adequate housing both may have more time to think about being on a deserted island with nothing to do. They may then have to find something to do, such as considering the idea of building a vessel to escape, or perhaps find some way to develop a signal fire. Not to mention that someone may eventually come sailing by with a big old ship demanding money for rescue. Robinson and Friday may in turn determine to devote time to diving for