Condillac on exchange, market and value

This paper aims at examining the role of market exchange in the theory of value in Le Commerce et le Gouvernement considérés rélativement l’un à l’autre by Condillac. In this essay the psychological and semantic analysis is very important and the market exchange deserves the top place in the determination of value. Le Commerce ... puts emphasis on the definition of value and on the exchange, connecting them with besoins and efforts; furthermore, Condillac appears to be quite critical towards Physiocracy, denies the sole productivity of agriculture, but is in favour of free trade. Finally he offers also very interesting opinions on the role played by the market in the origin of towns and its social aftermath