Socialist Democracy/Republic + Capitalism of Non-Essential Goods and Services = Government of the Ideal Future for Mankind and Earth.
In recent history we have been presented two main options for the structure of the civilized world; a false dichotomy. One one hand we have the Capitalist Republic. On the other we have the Communist Dictatorship. We have been conditioned to believe that these are our options; that capitalism goes with democracy, and that socialism goes with dictatorship. Why should this be so? Why not combine each society-type into a working compromise that combines the best aspects of each social structure?
Here is a world envisioned for the future:
Everyone enjoys a sustainable threshold at which they can live. Goods and services are ranked by priority. Food, clean running water, and shelter would come first. Electricity, basic technology, and Internet/communication links would come initially as well, but at a reduced rate. The level of infrastructure efficiency down the priority list would depend on how well the higher priorities are being met. Manpower in the housing development sectors (not to mention the Hello-Kitty industry), for example, would be scaled back while people were still dieing because they do not have access to clean water. Instead of having skilled construction workers building multi-million dollar personal residences at this stage, water desalination plants would be a higher priority. Resources would be allocated initially according to the needs of the downtrodden majority, instead of the whims of the super rich, so that a huge component of unneeded suffering is ridden from the world forever. This is the socialist component. We can provide comfortable living conditions for all mankind if resources are allocated appropriately. Priorities are the key here, and we must guide them carefully.
Next we have the capitalist component; the added incentive given to recruit workers and innovation. Those who specialize in a field through extensive schooling or give their time to provide labor are rewarded above and beyond the minimum threshold. Modern technology makes this possible. Man + machine accomplishes far more than is needed for man's mere survival, and has for some time. It is merely that the excess has been given and directed to the benefit of a fractional minority at the expense of others. These reward credits could be used on many of the same things the rich and middle class enjoy today: cutting edge technology, exotic foods, excess travel funds, temporary excess land grants, etc. The point is that people get something above the minimum. But people must provide real assets to receive these things. If there aren't enough plumbers or electricians, for instance, wages for these tasks are raised until the need is filled. Wages cannot fall to unacceptable levels, or else workers will be content with their minimum allotment until the rewards equal their effort input. This prevents abuses such as those faced in China, since you cannot enslave people in factories by threat of starvation. Instead you entice them with reward. Non-essential rewards are valued according to demand and availability at a level that can be maintained without destroying our Earth.
There will be no Paris Hiltons. There will be no entitlement to anything more than the minimum allotment except through what is actually earned. Parasitic industries are socialized (such as banking, insurance, and financial markets in general), so that a class does not form to merely leech and profit from the labors of others. Loans are distributed to good ideas and projects at marginal rates in order to promote wise investments. This interest is distributed back to the people in funding for further infrastructure advancements. Mere wealth does not provide more wealth to its owner in this society. Value must continue to be produced in order to maintain it. Innovation and invention are rewarded through limited royalties like an artist would receive, but the means of production is owned and operated for the benefit of everyone. The key here is value added through incentives above minimum consumption.
Essential services are very much socialized. However, mismanagement of socialized functions leads to termination of the elected government (or particular committee if an isolated incident), in which case these officials would return to their minimum consumption status. Government positions that warrant them have term limits, and democratic voting can be used for immediate replacement of an unfavorable government. Specific aspects of government best functioning as a representative republic are done as such. Broader authority is given to the people through DIRECT democracy. Campaigning is structured to represent the broad masses, and elected officials will have no incentive to cater to a minority interest. Truly, a government of the people, for the people.
Mechanization, automation, and productive efficiency in general has created a world in which human labor is no longer needed on a massive scale. Commercial farms produce food with a fraction of the effort previously required. Forcing everyone to work constantly to fight for a piece of the pie results in our civilization producing tons of generally useless trash and people performing pointless, menial tasks. Often in our current society, essential services for many are totally ignored in favor of non-essential services for the rich. Overall physical production would stagnate and possibly reduce, but that would not negatively affect this new economy, because it would be based on value instead of forced debts and coercion. As many people are forced to work despite adding no real value to the world, their freedom to pursue other interests would not lead to negative effect. Some people would lay back and relax at minimum consumption for some time, enjoying the lives we have to share on this Earth. Others would compete for the EXCESS value produced in our society, but value needed in essential services would not be taken. Most people would do a little bit of both.
Minimum allotments would include birth control in order to stop population growth, and possibly somewhat reduce it entirely, so that the standard of living for everyone is increased. This should be an urgent priority, as it speeds the implementation of all others.
We need people to realize the potential we have in our ability to create a Heaven on Earth, for everyone. This is real, and it is our greatest duty to help bring it about. We need people to live for this lifetime, as it is all that is assured to us. We need people to hold fast to their rights as human beings, as sovereign minds. We need people to realize that we all share this Earth, and it is our only home. We are all brothers and sisters here, and if we at least created a system in which abuse is not encouraged, we could accomplish so much more.
If we want this, we have to stand up and fight for it. We have to take it. This is our right, to live on the Earth in a sustainable harmonious existence, but there is also a minority entrenched in the current establishment which holds more than is their right. Instead of working to produce value for the world, they work to take the world and its people as their own. They threaten insubordination with a withholding of resources which are not theirs to withhold. They enslave the labor of the masses to create instruments of war to solidify their hold. But we are many and they are few. They hold no power that is not given to them. If we stop building their instruments of war and oppression they have none. If we stop respecting the currency they bind and tax us with, their power is nil. A tide of awakening is rising through us. An awakening to things that should, and could be. Awaken to our collective power to shape the world as we see fit, and harness it for the benefit of us all. Rise up, take back what is yours. Together we will fulfill our ultimate destiny and purpose. We know that we are capable of so much more. Unite in our greatest purpose.
