Historical origins of the establishment of the institute of commercial mediation in the sphere of economic activity

Abstract

This article reveals the basics of the institution of commercial intermediation. The evolution of various forms of existence of this economic and legal institution is studied. The transformation of the activity of commercial intermediaries from ancient times to the middle of the twentieth century is analyzed.
 To achieve this goal, the author analyzed the works of famous historians, lexicographers and social researchers. Based on this, it was concluded that trade intermediation as such arose immediately with the exchange of goods and provided, first of all, the interests of the country.
 Powerful states, which focused on market turnover and economic growth, put under government regulation such activities as trade intermediation. And at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the social importance of this activity is growing significantly, as evidenced by the establishment of requirements for such a profession, and bringing its representatives to the state.
 The issue of automation of part of the function of this profession is being raised, in particular with the help of smart contracts (B2B) and chatbots (B2C).
 The study provides an opportunity to conclude that commercial mediation in its various manifestations has existed since ancient times, and the profession itself was respected and influential in all societies. After all, the commercial world and the needs of the world market only attract the growth of this type of economic activity, leading to the gradation of its varieties and forms.