[WalterBright]

> People who don't trust each other don't engage in trade.

They do all the time. It's just that the level of distrust is factored into the price. For example, you'll pay more money to buy a used car from a dealer than from a random person, and you'll pay more to buy from a reputable dealer. And it's why there are such things as cashier's checks, wire transfers, and escrow services.

> Deception is not normal.

It is normal, and it is factored into the price as "risk".

> It's why "capitalism" as practiced in countries where there are no stable legal systems tends to have lower levels of growth.

Of course. An unstable legal system means high risk, high risk means adverse prices, and as such lower levels of growth.

[timr]

"It's just that the level of distrust is factored into the price."

Right. That's called "reduced economic efficiency".