»In the case of the consumerism paradigm, the
basic assumptions that need to change include: that more goods and services
make people happier, that perpetual growth is good, that humans are separate
from nature and that nature is a stock of resources to be exploited for human
purposes.«
– Erik Assadourian
Director of the Worldwatch Institute
Without the pressure to consume, significantly
less will be produced. All the better! Fewer resources will be needed and
people will have more leisure. They will have more time for themselves and
their dear ones, their hobbies, their health and their further personal
development. Isn’t that what most rushed modern people wish for?
Nowadays more spare time generally means less
money, loss of social status and a decline into poverty. The person’s standard
of living can no longer be maintained and the running expenses of leasing
instalments, rents and loans cannot be paid anymore. This is a horror scenario
for many people and already reality for others.
In the Natural Economy of Life as well more
spare time may possibly also mean less income. But what does it matter if dad
earns a bit less money? All the members of the family are provided for by their
active basic incomes, which covers the running expenses. If there are loans, it
may take longer to repay them but it will not be more expensive as they are
interest-free. In the worst case, a luxurious standard of living would have to
be cut back to a normal level. In return, people have more time – a luxury only a few have today.
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