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What exactly do you think it means to have "enough" capital, and how would you suggest measuring it? Surely looking at the value of goods and services we are a
by aninhumer 9y ago
What exactly do you think it means to have "enough" capital, and how would you suggest measuring it?
Surely looking at the value of goods and services we are able to produce with existing capital is precisely that which we should be measuring to determine whether it's enough?
- Spooky23 9y agoI'm not sure how to measure this, but as an observer, there are definitely things that to me are signs that we are drowning in capital. It's easy to get money for really goofy projects with poor long term potential. Alot of motels and shopping centers are sustainable projects because of financial shenanigans where the developers are "harvesting" expenses to offset taxes for other projects and companies. Those schemes break down as the loans funding the properties shift from paying off interest to paying off principal. Airplanes are similar -- that's how you can fly to Europe on Norwegian Air for less than a bus ticket from NYC-Boston.
- albertwenger 9y agoMy suggestion in the book is to go back to a distinction between "needs" and "wants." A distinction that capitalism has unfortunately erased. For a great treatment of that I recommend "How Much is Enough" by Edward and Robert Skidelsky. Here is my take on Needs (caveat: this section of the book is heavily under development, so YMMV) https://worldaftercapital.gitbooks.io/worldaftercapital/content/part-one/Needs.html https://worldaftercapital.gitbooks.io/worldaftercapital/cont...