A society without money (currency) of any kind, including trade or barter. Could humanity ever attain such a culture?
There are a few (science fiction) stories that touch on this and, of course, the advanced Earth of the Star Trek universe seems to operate this way — an entire planet where there is no money. Everyone works to their potential for the betterment of the entire species, and everyone receieves the best housing/food/transportation/leisure that society can provide. Is this just a pipedream?
Funny you should mention that because it is just one of the aspects that I explore in my upcoming novel “Hollow World”. Basically with a few inventions:
* Dynamo – for unlimited free power
* Maker – which can break down matter to the subatomic level and rebuild it using a “pattern (like DNA) to make other things (food, clothing, clean dishes – just “re-make” the old ones
* Portals – to travel anywhere instantaneously
I can see no reason why one would need money.
It’s an ideal, certainly. I think money causes problems. Not just in that people are easily swayed by it – the lack of money is just as destructive – if not more so – than the presence of it.
I mean would we have poverty without money? If we had something akin to that Star Trek ideal, it’s possible to think that we wouldn’t. After all, it would be assumed the facilities would be in place to look after those who may be disadvantaged in some manner.
I think it won’t happen, or is unreasonable, for a few reasons. Firstly, there’s politics. That gets in the way of everything. We can’t even let people get married without politicians and “interest groups” (mostly self-interest groups, at least those who shout the loudest) getting in the way and clouding issues.
Secondly, there’s so much history to be undone. Class systems, racial/cultural intolerance (you get that in the UK, for example. Kent vs Essex, Yorkshire vs Lancashire, England vs Scotland, etc.), and so on.
I… think such a system would require a social overhaul, not just a financial one.
And that is something I just can’t see happening.
I don’t worry that we have the resources and technology to accomplish it. I worry we don’t have the willpower to break our dependence on the power and control that the monetary system gives (or seems to give).
I think it’s a beautiful ideal, that’s for sure! But I would be too worried that it it just that: there will always be people who want more than others, those who are less willing to pull their weights.
Or maybe I’m just a pessimist.
Whenever I encounter this type of culture in sci-fi, I always fear that something is going to happen to ruin it all or that it’s just a facade hiding something dark and dastardly. Can’t talk for Star Trek though, as I’ve not watched it!