Power and Wealth: Farming Humanity or Happiness?

The economy is about consumer spending not production: Confirmed by Swiftonomics.

March 18, 2024 March 19, 2024

All economics seem to agree that the Taylor Swift Eras tour boosted the economy everywhere she went, but while it is clear that there was a boost to spending, it is not so clear people benefit beyond getting to enjoy a concert.

This is a look at whether, at least in some cases, factors that boost an economy may do nothing to increase wealth within that economy and could even reduce wealth within that economy.

Razors vs razorblades: An economic problem for clean energy.

December 18, 2023 December 18, 2023

A huge problem with the steps needed to stop burning fossil fuels is they save money, which means less opportunities for profit than there are with fossil fuels.

While “free razorblades” are good for the public, they are just not good for business. Renewables just lack that ongoing revenue stream since none so far profits from the supply of sun and wind. Even EVs erode ongoing revenues streams in the automotive industry and thus negatively impact the economy.

The problem is that while the economy reflects what is good for big business and tax revenues, the economy does not always reflect what is good for the people.

So, which is better, continuing with fossil fuels in order to produce ongoing revenue streams for the economy, or an economy that works for the people with systems require less consumables?

The Roles of Employment & Wealth in Society.

April 3, 2022 April 3, 2022

This is an examination of the roles of employment in society which include wealth creation and distribution and there also requires defining what is mean by ‘wealth’ in this context. This a reference page as background to deeper explorations on the impact or robotics, the arguments for a ‘living wage’ or basic income, and other topics.

Economic Activity: An Obsession with an Illusion of Prosperity.

October 20, 2021 November 11, 2022

Its the economy stupid. Voters want the best economic outcome, but by measuring the economy using ‘Economic Activity’, governments can effectively cheat the public.

In many western societies, instead of maximum prosperity, governments often pursue maximum economic activity, which benefits big business and governments, but can result in an economy which in theory is going well, while at the same time individuals fall behind. This is the kind of economic policy makes frustrated voters turn to Trump and Brexit.

Wealth Tax: Good Idea? Bad Idea?

October 17, 2019 April 3, 2022

Yes, another post on finances…but the Democrat candidates debate gets one thinking….now to the point. I do not like the idea of wealth tax. There

Economic Growth: The Holy Grail, Or Another Myth?

October 13, 2019 April 9, 2022

Economic growth. The holy grail of ensuring a prosperous society. Or is it, that, in the 21st century, increasingly economic growth could mean as few

Boris Johnson: Folly, Or Defence against EU Imperial Overlords?

September 5, 2019 September 21, 2019

When the referendum in Britain came down as supporting ‘Brexit’ I was deeply saddened. disappointed. While there were perhaps valid reasons to support either leave

Wealth Inequality: Who wants More Inequality?

August 18, 2019 August 18, 2019

The Wikipedia article on Wealth inequality in the United States describes wealth inequality as a problem almost every would like to see reduced. Yet wealth

Wealth & Happiness Vs Population: Farming Humans?

December 8, 2017 July 22, 2022

The powerful and the wealthy argue that increasing population is good for the economy.

But while, the larger the population, the greater the power in being leader of the population, if anything this leads to less individual wealth and happiness. Countries are a finite size with finite resources. More people means, on average, a smaller share each. Of course, everyone’s share isn’t equal, and those with enough wealth, can still even grow their share, leaving less for everyone else.

It is not just politicians who benefit at the expense of the masses, as the larger the population, the greater the wealth of the most wealthy, and the more revenue to monopolies and the largest businesses on the stock indices.