Money rules our world. But what if we could change that?
Communal income offers a path to a fairer society. It breaks the link between profit and wages and puts people at the centre.
What is communal income?
Communal income is simple. Workers are paid by their community, not by their employer. A democratic process sets wages. This system values contribution over competition.
The idea is from the Participatory Economy Project. They claim that communal income can be a stepping stone to postcapitalism.
They define postcapitalism as “a society beyond capital”, where social development is not determined by competition for profit and growth in a “grow or die” environment.
Why is this important?
Our current system has two major problems:
- Your income depends on where you work. This leads to an unjust inequality that depends on the luck of where you are employed.
- Workers must strive for profit in order to survive. This ignores the needs of people and the environment.
Communal income solves both problems. It ensures fair wages and shifts the focus from profit to the common good.
How does it work?
Communities set wages democratically. Labor costs are separated from workers’ income. Workers receive a stable wage based on their social contribution.
This promotes equality and reduces competition.
Benefits of communal income:
- Encourages cooperation
- Reduces income inequality
- Focuses on social needs
- Gives people more control over their lives
Is this realistic?
Communal income is a bold idea. It challenges our current economic system. Even if its full implementation is a long way off, it offers valuable insights.
This concept encourages us to imagine a fairer world. It suggests alternatives to our profit-driven economy. Communal income is not just about money. It’s about reassessing society’s priorities. It asks: what if we put people before profit?
In the face of growing inequality and environmental challenges, ideas like communal income are becoming increasingly relevant.
The path to a fairer world starts with bold ideas to change the whole system.