Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!
The Roman World into which Jesus was born was a pure market economy. Property was private, taxes were ridiculously low by modern standards (perhaps 1-5% of income), and government-provided welfare was negligible. The New Testament describes a Christian community that voluntarily opted out of the Roman economic and political system:
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
Acts 4:32, 34
We’re told that socialism and communism are enjoying renewed popularity in the U.S. Young progressives love Bernie Sanders and the Ayatollah Mamdani.
It’s perfectly possible to set up a voluntary communist or at least communalist society in the U.S. See, for example, Amana, Iowa: 75 years of communal living, in which people lived without private property embedded within a capitalist society.
Why aren’t at least some young progressives living their dream via voluntary contract?
Loosely related… Jupiter Mayor Jim Kuretski’s house, Christmas 2021:
Related:
> Why aren’t we seeing a resurgence of voluntary communism within the U.S.?
Again a good example of Dr. Greenspun knowing all the answers but amusing us by asking questions, 😀 . There are so many platforms to connect people online, that’s digital communism, no? The interpersonal relations which used to be “IRL” have shifted to the online space. People have a different notion of being “connected”, being part of a “group”, discussing something, etc. The energy that went into communicating IRL is going into writing comments (like this), writing SMSs, connecting over phone, listening to podcasts, liking and subscribing YT, PH channels, etc.
Communal living implies redirecting that social energy into negotiating with each other, listening to others’ problems and sharing your own, trusting others, making sure that all members live in harmony. That needs a lot of social skills and energy, people don’t have that left after all the YTing and PHing, right?
They all required coercion to make work. The crazies from the 60’s who did that have all killed themselves off or died in prison by now. Just remember Manson Family, Colonia Dignidad, Branch Davidian.
Phil, a little secret to share with you (please keep it on the down low?). Were you asleep during the reign of Barack Hussein Obama and Joseph Robinette Biden (both of whom promulgated communism and were supported voluntarily by half or more of the population)? Comprende?