Short answer: Inflation encourages spending, because if you don’t spend it, it will be worth less in the days, weeks, years ahead as inflation eats away at the value. If your money is worth more by saving (deflation), then you wait to spend because the thing you want to buy will be cheaper tomorrow, and cheaper yet the next day. If people stopped spending the economy grinds to a halt. Everyone loses their jobs.
I hear this very often, but has this ever been proven? People are not exactly going to stop eating or paying rent which already eats more than half of people’s income. I could see gambling and entertainment become more stale, but I’m not sure how big of a problem this is.
"For world economic equality to be achieved with the currently available resources, proponents say rich countries would have to reduce their standard of living through degrowth. "
Can I ask what measures you’ve taken in your life to reduce your standard of living to match the degrowth goal?
Can I ask what measures you’ve taken in your life to reduce your standard of living to match the degrowth goal?
Buy local products, buy conflict-free, slave-free, or fair trade products whenever possible, most of my belongings are second hand or have been in my possession for a long time (the oldest piece of clothing I was gifted is about 40 years old, the oldest I bought about 20), don’t own a car and public transport is taken whenever possible, short distances are by bike or foot, food waste is nearly 0, etc.
Short answer: Inflation encourages spending, because if you don’t spend it, it will be worth less in the days, weeks, years ahead as inflation eats away at the value. If your money is worth more by saving (deflation), then you wait to spend because the thing you want to buy will be cheaper tomorrow, and cheaper yet the next day. If people stopped spending the economy grinds to a halt. Everyone loses their jobs.
I hear this very often, but has this ever been proven? People are not exactly going to stop eating or paying rent which already eats more than half of people’s income. I could see gambling and entertainment become more stale, but I’m not sure how big of a problem this is.
No wonder the degrowth movement exists. It’s because of this bullshit that we harm everything around us.
Economists and those that made political theory have been looking for better alternatives since the formation of civilization.
What is your suggestion for a better system?
Degrowth
From your source:
"For world economic equality to be achieved with the currently available resources, proponents say rich countries would have to reduce their standard of living through degrowth. "
Can I ask what measures you’ve taken in your life to reduce your standard of living to match the degrowth goal?
Buy local products, buy conflict-free, slave-free, or fair trade products whenever possible, most of my belongings are second hand or have been in my possession for a long time (the oldest piece of clothing I was gifted is about 40 years old, the oldest I bought about 20), don’t own a car and public transport is taken whenever possible, short distances are by bike or foot, food waste is nearly 0, etc.
How about you?