I would again point to the Incas as a decent example. Though I kind of want to pick at your use of “money or authoritarian forces”.
Money is currently used as an authoritarian force. It’s given those with money restrictive control over our daily lives. Look at all the censorship by those who control the major websites and payment processors on the internet. Look at the who lobbied the creation of infrastructure that forces most every person in the states to own and maintain a car. Look at how they’re working on dismantling our public education system. Our police and military exist to protect those with money. This is how capitalism works. Despite some lofty ideas of peace liberty and democracy for all, when the system is based around money everything else will get compromised.
I read up on the Inca. Interesting. But I’m still doubtful they could build an MRI - I want a modern example.
And I’m certainly no fan of the current system - it sounds like you’re describing America, and yes, America is a bit of a shit show at the moment. But we should also remember that Sweden’s strong social safety nets, Finland’s excellent education system, and the Netherlands’ transportation infrastructure all exist in societies which use money.
Meanwhile, I don’t think eliminating money would really solve the problems you are looking to solve. Power-hungry people will seek power regardless of the system they find themselves in. If they don’t become capitalists, they become high-ranking bureaucrats and politicians.
Wasn’t the point that nobody would want to mine? But Inca did mine silver copper and clay? Also they built aqueducts and pyramids which I’m sure were plenty back breaking. More importantly.
Not just America. There’s a global rightward shift largely fueled by moneyed interests. In the countries you mentioned, the rich are still getting richer and wealth inequality is growing. The wealthy countries all got that way because of colonialist oppression. We live under a global capitalist economy that is directly antagonistic to places that try to live apart from it. Cuba is probably the best modern example of an attempt to break from the capitalist hegemony, but they are punished and slandered for it. But they actually have better health outcomes and longer life expectancy than the imperial core of the USA. And yes they still use money because they live in a world that requires the use of money. That’s not saying moneyless society isn’t possible, but demonstrates the stranglehold money has over the world.
Yes, power hungry people will always be around, but the money system only feeds into that desire. Capitalism rewards and encourages greed. How are we supposed to keep the power hungry in check when the system is designed for them to flourish? I’d rather see a system that encourages collaboration. A system where reducing your working hours gives you opportunity rather than panic. I don’t think that’s possible with a system that revolves around money.
I would again point to the Incas as a decent example. Though I kind of want to pick at your use of “money or authoritarian forces”.
Money is currently used as an authoritarian force. It’s given those with money restrictive control over our daily lives. Look at all the censorship by those who control the major websites and payment processors on the internet. Look at the who lobbied the creation of infrastructure that forces most every person in the states to own and maintain a car. Look at how they’re working on dismantling our public education system. Our police and military exist to protect those with money. This is how capitalism works. Despite some lofty ideas of peace liberty and democracy for all, when the system is based around money everything else will get compromised.
I read up on the Inca. Interesting. But I’m still doubtful they could build an MRI - I want a modern example.
And I’m certainly no fan of the current system - it sounds like you’re describing America, and yes, America is a bit of a shit show at the moment. But we should also remember that Sweden’s strong social safety nets, Finland’s excellent education system, and the Netherlands’ transportation infrastructure all exist in societies which use money.
Meanwhile, I don’t think eliminating money would really solve the problems you are looking to solve. Power-hungry people will seek power regardless of the system they find themselves in. If they don’t become capitalists, they become high-ranking bureaucrats and politicians.
Wasn’t the point that nobody would want to mine? But Inca did mine silver copper and clay? Also they built aqueducts and pyramids which I’m sure were plenty back breaking. More importantly.
Not just America. There’s a global rightward shift largely fueled by moneyed interests. In the countries you mentioned, the rich are still getting richer and wealth inequality is growing. The wealthy countries all got that way because of colonialist oppression. We live under a global capitalist economy that is directly antagonistic to places that try to live apart from it. Cuba is probably the best modern example of an attempt to break from the capitalist hegemony, but they are punished and slandered for it. But they actually have better health outcomes and longer life expectancy than the imperial core of the USA. And yes they still use money because they live in a world that requires the use of money. That’s not saying moneyless society isn’t possible, but demonstrates the stranglehold money has over the world.
Yes, power hungry people will always be around, but the money system only feeds into that desire. Capitalism rewards and encourages greed. How are we supposed to keep the power hungry in check when the system is designed for them to flourish? I’d rather see a system that encourages collaboration. A system where reducing your working hours gives you opportunity rather than panic. I don’t think that’s possible with a system that revolves around money.