What is the thing called commerce? Is it a complicated thing or simple? That fact is: it is not that complicated. But since trade is not all there is to economics the fact that it is not that complicated complicates our answer! And basic emotions (such as desire and greed) are involved. Commerce might also be complicated by the amount of scheming that is done. The designs of bankers (e.g. "swaps") create complications.
From the standpoint of shopping everything is quite simple actually. Look at the ads, in for example the n.y. Times. Ads for luxury goods are banal and ubiquitous. It is there for all to see. Build a castle of sugar ---the ants will come. Is such a life something appealing? Why? It is more like a group one may be a part of. Everyone working the same tricks. It is mainly the great accomplishment of tricking each other out of each other's money. This is such a good time; see here: you can make money that way! Persons in a capitalist society are like mesmerized lemmings. They need to keep their game on—or else what would happen?
Um—socialism? Gee, that would be terrible. No. What we have is so much better. And they call that “capitalism.” (I don’t.)
The best way to explain what is going on with economics is that socially (and to justify the existing order) one just needs explanations. We really love these explanations which allow us to become professionals. Capitalism of a system that has an idea of itself’ capitalism is explained by the fact that it is explained. Just insert any sort of idea about money, commerce, or interest rates, etc. As long as people are making money, they will not care. Any old ideas will do. Where is the benefit in having a correct explanation? That would only embarrass your professor. These gentlemen must e protected against that at all costs. Maintain professionalism, at all costs1.
One thing that I know is that, for commerce to exist, persons must interact. Even if they are there the interactions may be artificial. Trade interactions are usually pretty superficial. But it is a big society, and all types of interactions exist in capitalistic societies, including among less wealthy persons. It is clear that what satisfies the banker and the CEO does not satisfy basic human needs.
Once you get caught up in this, and you make money compulsively, in a psychological and ideological manner you compulsively) avoid coming to terms with this problem of the superficiality of your social relations. And, finally, you get a ridiculous, idiotic society. One of the basic problems of economists is that they do not see this coming.
Even if it is not compulsive, it is difficult to solve this problem of the simplicity of our system of economics. Those who seek a remedy would need to reverse the order of things. It is easier to reverse the flow of water in a pipe, or of a river.
But possible. Rivers can be reversed. Lakes can be emptied. Getting a grip on desire is something else.
Alfred Marshall seems to have been concerned with “professionalism.” “Alfred Marshall played the key role in the establishment of economics as a distinct discipline at Cambridge and with the professionalisation of economics…”
Alfred Marshall in his own words. “Economics is like a fine set of tools, which will not turn out anything of value except in skillful hands. This indicates that economics is a subject generally unsuited for advance by women.”