Articles: Economics for a Round Earth – the book
Digression: Other Comments on Statements in UN Report
This digression makes two further comments on the statement on weapons versus other expenditure in the UN report mentioned above. One may return to this post later and go straight on to the post “Discussion of Costs Resumed”, if desired. … Read more
“Costs” – What Really Costs Us and What Doesn’t?
A new definition of costs is also required. The term at present is muddled and confused in general usage.
Wealth loss versus Throughput Reduction
Any outlay of money in a national economy is regarded as a “cost” to the nation in the sense of some loss of wealth. … Read more
Stabilising the Human Population
People love their children, and children generally are a source of pleasure. Some people even claim to derive deep satisfaction from a houseful of seven or eight youngsters. But it is true to say of most people regardless of ethnicity or location that, if they had a really free choice, they would rather have a manageable number – enough for pleasure and company – but not the heavy load of six to a dozen or more. … Read more
Consumer-Led Recovery
This post will cross at a different angle, ground covered already.
The belief is still currently widespread, and held by persons of influence in economic affairs, that a general increase in wages will boost the economy, i.e. increase the throughput rate and its derivative by increasing consumer demand. … Read more
A Wage Freeze
Another way, more practical and even already tried though without sufficient firmness or persistence, is to freeze money wages and salaries indefinitely and allow normal increases in the money supply to force more and more into other channels – profits and investment capital. … Read more
Digression: Renewal and Recycling of Resources; Wages and Jobs
It is possible for some time to consume a resource faster than its renewal rate, just as a business can for some time consume its accumulated money capital faster than it takes money in (this is only an illustration and does not confuse money with wealth). … Read more
Digression: Work and Jobs
The Mitterand socialist government in France during the 1980′s hoped to create tens of thousands of jobs by cutting working hours. The basic working week was to carry the same pay, therefore each hour worked was to carry more pay. … Read more
Digression – the Private Motor Car – a Basic Necessity?
The transport policy referred to in the previous post, where everyone is expected to undertake all journeys in their own big car, has become so entrenched in many countries over the last fifty years that it seems impossible to change or modify. … Read more
Digression – Resource Consumption, Jobs, and Hands Off
Is increasing throughput always bad?
Not necessarily. Many times in these postings, the reduction of throughput is stated or implied to be a benefit. But this only applies to present-day conditions when so many resources are being depleted because they are throughput faster than they can be renewed. … Read more
Discussion of Costs Resumed
Partial Accounting: Another spurious “cost” often used as a basis for policy appears as a result of partial accounting. An urban public transport service might be reduced or eliminated on the grounds that the costs of the service are nowhere near covered by passenger fares, and that costs can be reduced and the nation or city thereby enriched by cutting the service. … Read more