Building a new economy |
8 June 2024
|
A technological and ecological collapse appears imminent, so an escape into fancy could be all we have left. The Dutch say the problem concerns the vicar and the merchant. Somehow, the merchant always wins. We desire more stuff and pleasure. Stepping out of it means willingly accepting a lower standard of living. That requires a powerful movement to build a sustainable, fair, and equal society that respects nature and inspires billions of people. That seems unlikely to happen.
If we intend to build a better future, we should let our values rather than economic calculations determine the outcomes. We already disagree on values. And even when we agree on them, how can we break free from the current economic system? We must achieve self-sufficiency and let go of many of the comforts we have now. That requires a separate financial system. Natural Money is the design of such a monetary system. And it allows for scale and professional management.
If we build a sustainable, fair, and equal society that respects nature, we can only allow products and services made according to our society's criteria. And so it needs to be a closed economy. That society might consist of communities spread around the globe that can't trade with the outside world but only with each other. And that can get quite awkward. Say goodbye to Netflix and hello to the local theatre. On the bright side, you may find it easy to ditch your sleeping pills.
It is possible if sufficient people have the willpower. That is unlikely to happen, as it requires people around the globe to leave behind their selfish short-term considerations and join the effort to build a better world society. It would require a dramatic, unforeseen event. But if that event is to occur, there is at least a design for a usury-free global financial system that can operate such an economy, Natural Money.