Marx makes it clear that exchange value and use-value are two very different things. We know that a commodity has use-value and that one can exchange a commodity that might not have use value to one self but it could have use value to another. However, the difference come is when we analyze what use value is and what exchange value. Also, can we figure out what comes first; exchange value or use value?
According to Marx, use value is when a commodity has value not to the person who made it but to the person who wants it. The example that he gives is the weaver and the tailor. The weaver, who makes linen, has no use for linen once he’s made it because he is not a tailor. He finds use value in the fibers in which he uses to make the linen. Once his linen is made he has no use for it. He needs to exchange it with someone he has use value of it, that is; the tailor. The weaver would need the linen to make the coats. Marx explains that the only way that a weaver would have use value of linen would only be is that weaver was also a tailor. Use value only exists when someone else needs the commodity that one has made. Once one has found someone else who wants their commodity then there is an exchange done.
The exchange value is different from the use value because an exchange can only be made if there is use value in the commodity that someone has. The commodity must have use value to someone other then the person who made it because, going back to Marx’s example, if the weaver has use value of the linen that he was made then he will make a coat but then he will need to find someone who has use value of that coat so that he can exchange it for something that is of use value to him. The exchange can not happen unless someone else has use value of that commodity.
Also, a commodity does not have use value unless it can be exchanged. If the commodity can not be exchanged, in other words, if no one else needs that commodity, then it has no value. An exchange can not be made unless there is use value for the people making the exchange. Therefore, one does not come before the other. Instead, they depend on each other for existence. We can not have a use value without the commodity being able to be exchanged and we can not have an exchange if that commodity has no value. Once we have determined that someone needs the commodity we can determine that it has use value and once it has use value we can exchange that commodity with someone who needs it. This is why Marx makes such a big deal about the difference between a use value and an exchange; because, one does not exist without the other.
According to Marx, use value is when a commodity has value not to the person who made it but to the person who wants it. The example that he gives is the weaver and the tailor. The weaver, who makes linen, has no use for linen once he’s made it because he is not a tailor. He finds use value in the fibers in which he uses to make the linen. Once his linen is made he has no use for it. He needs to exchange it with someone he has use value of it, that is; the tailor. The weaver would need the linen to make the coats. Marx explains that the only way that a weaver would have use value of linen would only be is that weaver was also a tailor. Use value only exists when someone else needs the commodity that one has made. Once one has found someone else who wants their commodity then there is an exchange done.
The exchange value is different from the use value because an exchange can only be made if there is use value in the commodity that someone has. The commodity must have use value to someone other then the person who made it because, going back to Marx’s example, if the weaver has use value of the linen that he was made then he will make a coat but then he will need to find someone who has use value of that coat so that he can exchange it for something that is of use value to him. The exchange can not happen unless someone else has use value of that commodity.
Also, a commodity does not have use value unless it can be exchanged. If the commodity can not be exchanged, in other words, if no one else needs that commodity, then it has no value. An exchange can not be made unless there is use value for the people making the exchange. Therefore, one does not come before the other. Instead, they depend on each other for existence. We can not have a use value without the commodity being able to be exchanged and we can not have an exchange if that commodity has no value. Once we have determined that someone needs the commodity we can determine that it has use value and once it has use value we can exchange that commodity with someone who needs it. This is why Marx makes such a big deal about the difference between a use value and an exchange; because, one does not exist without the other.