Time for a Cosmic Republic model of decentralized Cosmic Governance fit for our future in space. Colonies & Starships will need be able to self-sustain their biological & industrial requirements & be capable of self-governing and replication of that model. #CosmicRepublic
I have often wondered how much the so-called black market, underground, unreported, person-to-person, mutual aid, off-the-books, illegal, economy–the payments in cash undocumented and untaxed, neighbors trading goods for services, unlicensed (but competent) workers, sales of produce from a home garden or kitchen, smuggling of otherwise unavailable products across state lines and country borders (excluding harmful drugs and stolen goods), et al–keeps the so-called legitimate economy - well-documented, taxed, controlled, and limited by government - afloat.
You know, Pat, my gut says it falls along a continuum. The formal economy in the developed world is probably enough to keep things afloat, whereas the informal economy is MASSIVE in the developing world (see Hernando de Soto). I wonder if this means that burgeoning informal institutions will come from the developing world to leapfrog the developed world as it starts to fall into decrepitude.
Agreed. I think that that the United States, given the diverse clusters of different socioeconomic demographics, has more of informal economy than many middle-class people realize. My years as a starving poet was mostly living off the grid - I even was able to convince a formal economy employer in the early 70s to pay me in cash off the books. My bedroom was an empty pantry in a friend's house, with room for a twin mattress and a box for a dresser. Washed dishes for meals. Traded poetry books for meals. Worked a printing press for meals. Went to free clothing swaps. Free rent for an office I looked after. Good times.
I love this.
Use for ASG if you want.
Good idea 🫡
The next OS needs to assume people are easily corrupted and easily brainwashed. Checks and balances need a total rewrite.
One of your better pieces! The DOS is a great analogy and it desperately needs an upgrade!
Time for a Cosmic Republic model of decentralized Cosmic Governance fit for our future in space. Colonies & Starships will need be able to self-sustain their biological & industrial requirements & be capable of self-governing and replication of that model. #CosmicRepublic
It's time for an entire new system.
I have often wondered how much the so-called black market, underground, unreported, person-to-person, mutual aid, off-the-books, illegal, economy–the payments in cash undocumented and untaxed, neighbors trading goods for services, unlicensed (but competent) workers, sales of produce from a home garden or kitchen, smuggling of otherwise unavailable products across state lines and country borders (excluding harmful drugs and stolen goods), et al–keeps the so-called legitimate economy - well-documented, taxed, controlled, and limited by government - afloat.
You know, Pat, my gut says it falls along a continuum. The formal economy in the developed world is probably enough to keep things afloat, whereas the informal economy is MASSIVE in the developing world (see Hernando de Soto). I wonder if this means that burgeoning informal institutions will come from the developing world to leapfrog the developed world as it starts to fall into decrepitude.
Agreed. I think that that the United States, given the diverse clusters of different socioeconomic demographics, has more of informal economy than many middle-class people realize. My years as a starving poet was mostly living off the grid - I even was able to convince a formal economy employer in the early 70s to pay me in cash off the books. My bedroom was an empty pantry in a friend's house, with room for a twin mattress and a box for a dresser. Washed dishes for meals. Traded poetry books for meals. Worked a printing press for meals. Went to free clothing swaps. Free rent for an office I looked after. Good times.