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    Comparing Capitalism and Parecon

    Comparing Capitalism & ParEcon Regarding Wealth

    What determines the distribution of wealth in an economy? This page compares capitalism and parecon vis a vis who has how much wealth.

    Next Entry: Comparing Regarding Consumption

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    “Pool Parlor”
    by Jacob Lawrence

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    “Showtime”
    by Romare Bearden

    Introducing Capitalist
    Regarding Wealth

    In a capitalist economy, material wealth is a function of accumulated earnings via profit or wages and inheritance from forebears. Wealth is perhaps the personal attribute that varies most widely across the population — from miserably low to astronomically high.

    Introducing ParEcon
    Regarding Wealth

    In a parecon, material wealth is barely a concept because variations are so minor. What you consume, which includes durables, varies in accord with income which varies very little, and is in any event just. If you save but don’t consume, you accumulate some buying power to utilize later. There is no inheritance of wealth. It is reasonable to predict that differences in wealth across a parecon’s population will be barely discernable.

    Evaluating Capitalist Regarding Wealth

    If you believe some people are born to be masters of the universe and others to be ridden by masters — you like capitalist dynamics of wealth.

    Evaluating ParEcon Regarding Wealth

    If you think all humans are entitled to comparable conditions of life, you like parecon dynamics of wealth.

    Next Entry: Comparing Regarding Consumption

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