In order to define the distinction between a grant and an exchange transaction, Boulding has used the net worth criterion:
If there is no decrease in the net worth of either party, the transaction is exchange; if there is, it contains some grant element and is an explicit or implicit grant.
p. 88 as cited in: Omicron Delta Epsilon, Omicron Chi Epsilon (1997) The American economist. Vol. 41-42. p. 20 - The Economy of Love and Fear, 1973
