Money
[13c. L moneta, money, mint]
Anything which is generally accepted as a medium of exchange.
While often having little intrinsic VALUE, money or the lack of it rules many people's lives. "The argument is that money being the calculus we use to measure value, it is vital that the money system should operate fairly and objectively. Money values should reflect the actual values and preferences that people have. For example people's pay should reflect the value of the work they do. As things are, however, everyone knows that the money system does not work in this way. Some people get highly paid for work of little value, while others get paid much less for work of greater value. The people who run the money system - bankers, stockbrokers, and so on - do not run it professionally, with the aim that it should operate fairly and efficiently in the interests of society as a whole. They operate it in such a way as to cream off above-average incomes and capital gains for themselves and their clients. In this sense the present money system is fundamentally corrupt." (James Robertson, 1985). "Making money out of money - or more accurately making money out of debt - has become a massive industry, holding the world to ransom" (Green Party, 1987). (see DEBT CRISIS). Many Greens believe that our money system is beyond saving, so out of touch is it with real wealth and the real needs of people. While money can be liberating if used appropriately (never forgetting that it is only symbolic of real wealth), green-thinkers see LOCAL CURRENCY, BARTER, OWNWORK and informal work largely taking its place. See also INFLATION, WEALTH.
[source: "A Dictionary of Green Ideas", ed. John Button, 1988.
Words in capitals refer to other entries]
[13c. L moneta, money, mint]
Anything which is generally accepted as a medium of exchange.
While often having little intrinsic VALUE, money or the lack of it rules many people's lives. "The argument is that money being the calculus we use to measure value, it is vital that the money system should operate fairly and objectively. Money values should reflect the actual values and preferences that people have. For example people's pay should reflect the value of the work they do. As things are, however, everyone knows that the money system does not work in this way. Some people get highly paid for work of little value, while others get paid much less for work of greater value. The people who run the money system - bankers, stockbrokers, and so on - do not run it professionally, with the aim that it should operate fairly and efficiently in the interests of society as a whole. They operate it in such a way as to cream off above-average incomes and capital gains for themselves and their clients. In this sense the present money system is fundamentally corrupt." (James Robertson, 1985). "Making money out of money - or more accurately making money out of debt - has become a massive industry, holding the world to ransom" (Green Party, 1987). (see DEBT CRISIS). Many Greens believe that our money system is beyond saving, so out of touch is it with real wealth and the real needs of people. While money can be liberating if used appropriately (never forgetting that it is only symbolic of real wealth), green-thinkers see LOCAL CURRENCY, BARTER, OWNWORK and informal work largely taking its place. See also INFLATION, WEALTH.
[source: "A Dictionary of Green Ideas", ed. John Button, 1988.
Words in capitals refer to other entries]