Economics is a science studying the system of organization, operations, distribution and consumption of material wealth. This is generally accepted, but there are problems with this definition, for there are other things outside of this system we humans need. There are also concepts this has brought up over the years that do not correspond to what we would except based on the economic understand we have. I suggest we rethink then the concept of economics all together, considering we may have more than one such system. Each integrated and incorporating the other to some degree, so much then from one is affecting the other in our daily lives.
The changes occurring in one economic system will allow for exchanges to occur in the others. As each is part of a system, it develops a “waste” product collect from within that system, one in need of being recycled or the entire system then is endangered. I have talked before about how debits, inflation, and interest rates are waste products in the material economic system. But there are other waste products too, which we as humans need to have recycled, our lives depend on this happening at some point. Therefore each system must place a value on the items offered and traded in this system, material, intangible, or even rarely understood as they may be.
Thus we have developed the materialistic concepts of the Material Economics; these are the most prevailing principles as economist like to think in a laboratory setting. Based on the concept(s) we all want more and better items than before, this leads us to be in competition with everyone else to gain the most….Most what? When do we consider there to be enough in such a state, and what resources are we gaining? The material of this world is not changing; once humans stood on the moon we realized this. Finite amounts do not allow us to continue to gain resources; we can only have so much before we kill ourselves off. Is that the course we have set upon, the total destruction of the human race? And if resources are already limited, how can one justify gaining more resources than needed, in effect killing others by removing their survival needs?
It is with the value of material we start, this is the beginning of the Material Economic system, studied in depth it is still not complete. Because of the above mentioned reasons we can divide this system into two different economies disguised as one. There is the Basic standard economy, the need to cover our survival and living needs for all humans. As soon as we decided to take over the natural world, we started to cut ourselves off from the freedoms Mother Nature offered. Today with our progress, we have cut off so much there is little Mother Nature can offer us, unless we want to break up our society to gain such. Example, one could go into the forest around you and cut down a tree to form a table, done many time in the past, we still know how today. But our laws have places such as items belonging to others, so instead of free resources we now pay for resources so funds are needed. This currency has replaced the freedom of resources offered by Mother Nature in the past.
Above this economy is the Elitist Economic system, as seen in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, as we gain resources we do not need so much any more. Those who fell they are elite in society also feel they deserve more entitlements than others therefore want more items. This need feeds the greed and arrogance they have inside for self esteem and self-appropriation of material things. Thus they seek material resources to gain a measure of power and authority in their lives.
The power and authority in society is a resource to regulate and control that society. This Ecopolitics system exists through the power exchanges society and individuals give for representation purposes. Power or authority to decide actions is coveted by this transference, a resource to be the one in charge. This allows others to represent us in those locations we are not present at, thus a continuation of exchanges based on the trust in the responsibilities represented. The idea of gaining respect and attaining control fits to some who want power and higher civil status in society.
The fourth economic system is based on the ability and needs of individuals to exchange past actions and regrets for hope and future enlightenments. This Eco-enlightenment is directly involved in the lives and hopes humans need to feed the soul, material wealth is regarded on slightly here as it holds the individual grounded to this plane. The stresses of our lives force us to ask if there is more to live than just daily activities. A higher state of being has the effect of carrying us through the worse of times, but only if we have the faith to follow it. This economy is to some extent in competition with the Materialistic Economy for the material and the Arthurian Economy for control obtained from individuals.
The fifth economy system is one based on the frustration and desperation many people see in their lives. This Rebellious Economy comes as society stresses are placed on those who have fallen through the “cracks” in the system. They need to survive and in doing so must operate outside of the standard system because either misunderstandings or inabilities to be allowed to operate within exist. This is generally caused by the leadership not communicating or staying in touch with the changes occurring around them. This causes misunderstandings of operations and accesses to resources occur. The trust represented by the Authority Economy is soon gone and so then is the control.
Any economy involves the valuing of items offered and trades throughout the system in which it is based. But there is only one concept to manage the entire trading, and each is based on this trade happening. Currency or money is be the means we use to effect an easy trade today, yet is not the only means we offer or accept even now. Our needs and resources are not met with just a single economic system, but with the many that relate to each in some way. This is a complete integrated society, without all of these involved that society will fall apart. The balance between each be maintained to insure each survives and holds the rest to their concepts, not allowing power to form in only one. Thus society will progress in a direction all involved will consider and allow; with in the competitive nature we all have to insure our goals and the regulations to keep us in line.
Contact: Michael Pulse [email protected] Author of: The Truth of Things
CEO of Stone Rose LLC Profile on Elance: http://mpulse-stone-rose.elance.com