Well, that’s a bold claim, I hear you cry, or is this just another clickbait title to entice me to read on. Okay, it may be a bold statement and a little tongue-in-cheek, but I believe the basic premise of my idea is sound in principle.
My idea to solve the world’s problems – abolish MONEY!!!! That’s right, you read that correctly, abolish money. But that’s crazy! What will we do instead, how will we mange! The world will descend into anarchy and madness as everyone will go on a massive looting rampage.
Before you dismiss my idea, let me try to rationalise it by analysing some of the main “problems” that blight our world, but first, exactly what are these problems, or at least what are the main categories these problems fall into –
- Famine and hunger
- Poverty
- Disease and inadequate healthcare
- War and conflict
And now, what are the main contributing factors that cause and help to perpetuate these problems –
- Famine and hunger
- Lack of investment and funding by governments to maintain and sustain food production, from farming through to the manufacture and distribution of food.
- Poverty
- Lack of investment and funding into social welfare issues, including providing a basic level of education for everyone to ensure a more level “playing field”.
- Disease and inadequate healthcare
- Lack of investment and funding into providing a basic level of hygiene and health care for everyone regardless of your social or geographical position.
- War and conflict
- Countries, groups or individuals looking to seize control of exterior territories or resources, either in the guise of defence, or beneficial gain.
How is abolishing money going to help I hear you cry, Surely the answer is to throw more money at these problems as that is the obvious fix. If that were true, then why isn’t this being done. Hardly a week goes by without some celeb appearing on our TVs from a war-torn, famine-stricken backdrop, imploring us to send some more money. And we do. Millions are raised, aid is sent, and yet the following year we get asked for even more money and then the following year for more still. The reason being, food, medication, clothing etc. all costs money and once the coffers are empty, there is no more aid. Remove money from the equation and we can provide as much food and medication as is required.
But I can hear the general outcry now, “Well, if I’m not getting paid, then I’m not working!”. Or alternatively, “Well, if everything is free, then I’m having it all and I’m just going to sit back, relax and enjoy it!”
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t work that way. If you want tech, TV and the latest fashions, we are still going to need people to make them. If you want food, then people will still need to work on farms and in factories in order to produce it all. These jobs will still need to be fulfilled as well as roles such as teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, fire-fighters etc. We will still need people to work in factories and offices in order to manufacture and produce the things that we need and want. We will need to come together as a community, or rather a collection of communities and ensure that the jobs that need doing are done. If you want a new tablet, TV, or designer pair of shoes, you will need to ensure that you are making your contribution to society. That doesn’t mean that you will now have to work for Apple making iPads (other tablets are available), but you will need to ensure that you are contributing in some measurable way. If your skill is in education, then you will be required to teach. If caring for the sick is your vocation, then you will be a nurse or doctor. You get the idea.
Think of the benefit of not working for money because you must. Instead of doing a job that affords you to be able to pay your bills, you can do a job that you truly enjoy. How many of us would rather deliver the post, drive a bus, or work outside with our hands, rather than sit in front of a flickering screen doing meaningless tasks for ten hours a day. Instead, we can lead fulfilling lives, enjoying our work, knowing that we have contributed to our society. Worrying about paying bills, saving for trinkets and hollow rewards and just generally getting by will become things of the past. I truly believe that our values will change and rather than judging people by their jobs and possessions we will start to place an importance on their contributions to society. More importantly, we will start to enjoy our work and in turn take pride in our jobs as we will be doing something that we want to do as opposed to doing something we have to do.
However, I am not naive, and I understand that every solution brings its own problems. This will be a huge undertaking and it will need policing by the general population to ensure that everyone is contributing fairly. It will also require each communal group as well as society in general to ensure that no one individual or group is benefiting more than others. The usual yardstick for measuring power and wealth is money, so with this element removed, society will start to re-evaluate how it views groups and individuals.
Do I think this idealistic plan is achievable? Who knows? Probably not! But what is the alternative, carry on as we are, forever staggering on towards the abyss. The amount of money in the world is arguably more than it has ever been, but the number of people that share this wealth is smaller than ever before and getter smaller by the day. A handful of companies now turn over in excess of a trillion dollars a year each, whilst billions of people go without and struggle on a daily basis.
We are no longer staggering towards the abyss, but instead we are galloping headlong towards it. Grasping for the dollar bill that is dangling from a thread just beyond our grasp. We are told to try a bit harder, to reach a bit further to want it a bit more, but deep down we know it will always be just beyond the stretch of our fingertips.
So, do I think that abolishing money is achievable. I genuinely do as I believe that the majority of people want to do the right thing. They want to help their fellow man and see their communities flourish and grow. If they didn’t, these charities wouldn’t raise millions each time there was a new campaign to raise money for a worthy cause. How many times on TV do we see a community come together to help a family in need decorate or renovate their homes. I have faith in people’s compassion and kindness.
So, do I really think that abolishing money is the answer.
I’m really not sure – but I’m willing to give it a try. After all, when you have nothing, what have you got to lose.
