21 September 2009
Alternative money system: Living without money
Posted by Cecilia under: Economy .
Living without money in our society seems to be an impossibility. But there are in fact some people who live without money.
As you might imagine, anyone who lives without money in modern society lives a very special life.
Daniel Suelo lives in a cave in the desert near Moab, Utah. His life is defined by what nature gives to him freely - and what people give to him voluntarily.
His philosophy speaks for others trying to live without money in our society: “freely give, freely receive.” He calls it the Gift Economy.
As long as a society is based on the hierarchy of values people need a standard to measure the value that is money in our society. Living without money seems to be impossible in a world dominated by technology.
A society of esteem also works without money, but the citizens don’t have to live in caves. In a society of esteem all citizens are wealthy.
Living without money and being wealthy at the same time only works when a society is based on mutual esteem instead of a hierarchy of values. Living without money works when there is no need for measuring values because every single person and every single job gets the same esteem, the same value.
When the exchange of goods, products and work is based on mutual esteem for all of them there is no longer a need for money.
3 Comments so far...
Today in Sikantis – September 21, 2009 « Sikantis Says:
21 September 2009 at 1:36 am.
[...] Society of Esteem – Alternative money system: Living without money [...]
giancarlo Says:
12 October 2009 at 4:03 am.
I’m going to buy some land, pick out 100 or so homeless people who are sound of mind, and see if a society based on disciplin, equal value of productivity, and moral value can prosper. I’m willing to bet it can. Every one assigned a job in life based on their qualities. To receive equal benefits one must provide equal benefits. Agriculture and hunting for survival as opposed to commercialized products. This is the economical, healthy, and possible solution to many of todays problems. Keep in mind science and technology do not need to be neglected for this type of society to prosper, on the contrary, it would be encouraged, and would be steered towards more efficient use for the health of the society and world around it.
eyes opened Says:
26 November 2009 at 3:36 pm.
is there really a society of value, where money doesn’t exist but still people are wealthy, can i go visit? if there really is, well that’s just amazin!
