Markets of course!

..and if there is no money how do we know who is the customer and who is the supplier? How do we talk about "price"? We don't. Both parties to the "deal" have elements of both roles. Both parties are looking for increased "value" out of the deal.

This concept goes right back to pre-history. Markets already existed without money, and people would barter their goods in exchange for other goods. In a successful barter deal both parties feel they have gained something of more value.

OK - then someone came up with cowrie shells and the rest is history.... But hang onto the concept of "exchange". All large international contracts have a very large element of bartering.(e.g "We'll build a factory in your country if you buy our goods","You can pay us in mangoes...")

So, what is this strange thing called value....?

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