| This question <132|142> overall <135|137> Harmon: <108|137>. |
| Question 170: In the Simple or Accidental form of value, which commodity plays an active role, and which a passive role? Explain what it means in this situation to be active or passive. |
| [136] Harmon: Personality Traits. In the simple form of value the commodity that plays the active role is the commodity that expresses its value in the form of another commodity. For example, in the expression 20 yards of linen = one coat, the first commodity, linen, plays the active role and the coat plays the passive role. The first commodity in the expression acts as the form of value and the second commodity acts as the equivalent form in trade, but the two commodities can be switched in the expression so that the coat acts as the active role and the linen as the passive role. |
| It all depends on what is of necessity. If someone had too many coats and needed to exchange them, the coats would play the active role. In order for a commodity to play the active role it needs to be represented first in the equation and show its relative form of value through the commodity on the other side of the expression. “Active” means to be engaged in trying to trade something you have for something you need, i.e. the active commodity is the one you are trying to get rid of. “Passive” means the opposite, that it is the first commodity you are trying to get, not the second, i.e. the passive object is the commodity you need. |
| Hans: Even the commodity you need is for its owner in the active form. The only commodities which one does not have to get rid of is either one which one is consuming, or money. |
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