Moving Towards a New Economy

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND MATERIALISM

The Industrial Revolution involved a massive and dramatic shift from a localized agrarian/handcraft economy to one controlled by industry, manufacturing, and the accumulation of wealth...the rise of capitalism.

This "revolution" brought about many changes. Modern conveyances were available and affordable for Every Man. Where there had once been farmers and craftsmen selling the fruit of their labor, there were now factory workers selling their time for a piece of currency. The factories drew workers from the hills and dales into the cities. By the end of the 18th century, 1 in 10 Britons lived in London...population - 1 million.

With the increase in the standard of living came many technological advances. Unfortunately, The Industrial Revolution also spurred materialism and consumerism, the rise of Socialism and Marxism, and the pollution and destruction of the environment.

LICENSING

The forming of corporations, and their collective political clout, further culled the population of skilled artisans and tradespeople by having protective legislation passed. This was most often in the form of "licenses" (basically permission slips) and regulatory handcuffing of potential competitors. This helped to accentuate the growing wealth disparity between the rich and the poor. While the standard of living was rising for the poor, it was at a substantially slower pace than that of the wealthy.

INFLATION

A further wedge is driven into this wealth disparity by the government manipulation of currency.

CAPITALISM

The laws in place, and those inherent in the monetary systems of most nations demand growth at all cost. This "no holds barred" desire for growth, and the accompanying accumulation of wealth, have perpetuated a cycle of boom/bust as the market manipulators attempt to artificially stabilize the market.

The age of Capitalism has been necessary. It has pushed us forward to such a state that it is no longer necessary...In fact, it is obsolete.

RON PAUL, BITCOIN, and the GIG ECONOMY

What do these three have in common? All were instrumental in paving the way for humanity to embrace a new economic paradigm. Ron Paul introduced millions to the ideals of Libertarian thought...a stepping stone for most into a full on embrace of Voluntaryism. Bitcoin, and the other cryptocurrencies, offer a decentralized means of exchange largely unfettered from the manipulation that plagues fiat currency (though Elon Musk and Reddit have exposed some flaws). The Gig Economy has exposed countless individuals to the opportunities offered by today's technology to work independently; to be their own "boss".

Throw in the economic, emotional, and social turmoil of a "pandemic"...and the world is rife for a change in how we do business.

SO....

What does it look like? There are several proposed models for economic change, for a new perspective on how we conduct business among ourselves. Most are deep in voluntaryist principles, offer a truly humanitarian focus, and take measures to reduce the environmental impact.

THE VENUS PROJECT

The Venus Project is the brainchild of Jacque Fresco and calls itself a "Resource Based Economy". The Project raises a clarion call to abandon the old paradigms of war, poverty, hunger, debt, environmental degradation and unnecessary human suffering that drive the current economic climate. They seek to remove or inhibit barriers to human cooperation, while promoting the concept that our current technology is capable of providing a high standard of living for all. This is accomplished through the intelligent and humane application of science and technology.

In a Resource Based Economy all goods and services are available to all people without the need for means of exchange such as money, credits, barter or any other means. For this to be achieved, all resources must be declared as the common heritage of all Earth’s inhabitants. Equipped with the latest scientific and technological marvels, humankind could reach extremely high productivity levels and create an abundance of resources.

THE GROVE

The Grove offers a more spiritually based concept. Equality, respect, and kindness are expected from all participants. The Grove seeks to provide a place of spiritual, physical, and economic liberty by eliminating the dogmatic hindrances of religion and centralize government.

The economic engine for the Grove is also one of shared abundance, operating through a Community Exchange System to eliminate the artificial external costs of trade.

SPEAKING OF....

Community Exchange Systems and Time Bank are two (of many) economic alternatives to the current fiat system.

Timebanking is a time-based currency. Give one hour of service to another, and receive one time credit. You can use the credits in turn to receive services — or you can donate them to others.

An hour of service is always one time credit regardless of the nature of the service performed.

In a Community Exchange System, goods and services are exchanged and shared using a variety of exchange methods: record keeping, time exchange, direct exchange, barter, swapping, gifting and sharing. Simply by keeping track of who receives what from whom we can dispense with the ancient idea of exchange media and the apparatus required to create, circulate and manage them. This helps us focus on providing and requesting what is really needed instead of chasing after money.

LIMITLESS

The solutions are as numerous and varied as the individuals who conceive them. The question is not if, or even when, the current economic and political paradigm will fall. The question is, "What will arise?".