Economics is the science that studies the value of goods. That value is a complementary relationship of such realities to human objectives. As those goods are original, interdependent and complementary in order to generate human utility and convenient relationship to the subjective goals that appear, the human intellect's objective capacity allows discovery and interpretation of those complementary relationships. Not only is each material reality original but each individual is also original in his aptitudes and in his objective capacity. For that reason responsible freedom generates a process of practically limitless increase in economic value starting from the 'dominion' of those realities. Such a dominion is already an appropriation of such objects. Freedom leads to and bears possession. They go together.

And if there is not authentic possession neither can there be real exchange of goods. Once we notice the relationship between freedom and possession it is not difficult to observe the convenience of the exchange between patrimonies and their positive effects on the increase of economic value. The potentiality of money to ease exchange is also discovered, to be able to separate in time purchases from sales and payments from collections. In an economy without exchanges, the human utility of objects increases very slowly. In an economy with exchange, that utility increases more, but less than if a means of widespread and stable change exists that notably eases such commercial processes. If money lubricates the lattice of supply and demand, the temporary phenomenon of the sales also accelerates exchange of goods and services. The sales, so habitual in the entire world, attract people that crowd round the counters to buy this or that merchandise, this or that good that solves one or another necessity that was forgotten when the prices were high.

On the other hand, a world with widespread exchanges makes specialization and division of work possible. Such a specialization allows us to sharpen our wits on smaller parcels of reality, and responsible freedom can generate new discoveries in all scientific environments both theoretical and practical. The exchanges produce more specialization and this in turn produces more necessity for exchanges. In a material scenario with a high degree of originality in all its components and with high benchmarks of complementary interdependence, investigation and specialized work allow us to light up increasingly better horizons. If in this material universe with high originality we introduce the numerous crowds of individuals, none of them similar to another in their capacities, we have the panorama available that points out the importance that freedom has via exchange and specialization.

But in a society where responsible possession, exchange and division of work are firmly established, one's own production has to be guided towards other people's service and necessities. The value of one's own work and patrimony will increase to the extent that it is endowed with greater capacity of service to other people's patrimonies. The people's own interest, well understood, improves general interest. Or better still, the search for general interest generates a positive " boomerang " effect on own interest. The invisible hand of the market exists and it is not so mysterious. Other people's freedom becomes the objective of our own responsible freedom. The complementary interdependence of economic realities becomes more effective through the multiple interconnections of freedom of different individuals with their own specific weight. The capacity of service makes everyone's freedom more effective and mutually binding.

If we consider the economic reality this way, it is logical that the fight and competition to improve utility become the generator of authentic progress. The managerial mentality that tries to maximize and optimise its performances becomes the philosopher's stone that supports the whole economic building. All managerial or individual agents, if they want to act economically, will try to maximize profit in terms of value, that is to say in terms of humanization of living conditions and of materials. The businessman tries to supplement the resources under his dominion in order to improve the service to his potential clients. Anyone who wants to function economically, has to act with an entrepreneurial mentality, they have to optimise their performance with regard to other people's necessities and, indirectly, with regard to their own ones.

If the whole previous reasoning is correct, it is easy to deduce the fitting master lines of state performance. The State, far from curbing the development of this natural process trying to supplant it, should strengthen and channel it, creating the appropriate background so that all these basic institutions exercise all their beneficial influence. The State, in short, cannot supplant individual responsible freedom; it is not omnipotent nor all understanding. It can only open the necessary roads so that the economic strength of freedom circulates more easily and without unnecessary risks.

Joseph John Franch Menéu
Business Gazette