“Mechanics of a Free Society”

Aspects of the socialist idea is expressed by many and for various reasons these members have not joined the Socialist Party. Freeworlder has come to the attention of the blog and it expresses many views that we ourselves share. In a blog message Colin Turner posts

 “Most people who have given any consideration to a moneyless, 'free world' society are already aware that we have the technology today to create a world of abundance without the constraints and inequality of the traditional market system, owing to how much human labour can now be efficiently automated.

Without scarcity, and a massive reduction in the need for labour, money effectively becomes obsolete. That's the theory. But it's not the full story, nor does it convince everybody who comes into contact with the theory. In fact, it convinces surprisingly few indeed.

In my opinion, this kind of super-advanced “Star Trek” moneyless society is still quite a distance away – not because we lack the technology – but because we humans lack the openness and understanding required to make it work.

A truly free society should be just that – unlimited, self-determining and self-organising for the optimum benefit of all. Today it appears that, left to our own devices, humanity just can't wait to blow itself to pieces. How can you de-regulate society and hope to achieve equilibrium against that backdrop?

Let us remind ourselves that today we share our world with people separated by walls to stop them killing each other, giant corporate agencies detached from the social and ecological effects of their business, people who kill animals for pleasure, and, worst of all, a population that has somehow programmed itself to consume recklessly to compensate for its own imagined insecurity.

To my mind, celebrity/brand worship, religious fervour, and xenophobic flag-waving are all here to remind us that – irrespective of our technological advances – we still have a long way to go before humanity can unite in the common purpose of sharing our world and its bounty equitably and sustainably for all.”

Colin’s article “Mechanics of a Free Society” then suggests various practical strategies that he considers should feature in a free society. Many in the Socialist Party may question whether such proposals will be implemented since we have always deferred to the future generations who will have the task of determining the manner today's socialist principles are applied. After all, what is more dictatorial than demanding that a blueprint be followed by those who have had no participation in drawing it up. Nevertheless, Colin’s speculations are well worth discussing since it contributes to the debate that socialism/free society possesses feasible alternatives to the capitalist organisation of daily life.

 “Mechanics of a Free Society” can be read at this link