Not a fan of modern economics

As with politics, I am not much of a student with money. The few insights I have are typically random observations that come to me throughout the day. Today, while listening to the sermon, an old notion came back to me. As I reflected on it this afternoon, a new aspect of it came under consideration.

In recent times the concept of a "fixed price" market has become a significant--if not predominant--force in western (and more recently global) economics. The idea that something must be sold for a specific price and only that price removed an entire dimension to commerce. The fact that corporations (not individuals) are the producers it is quite interesting that the personal dimension of business has vanished. As a result of corporations, that is to say, of non-personal groups selling items there really is no person with whom one can discuss price. Think about it, if you go to Walmart, who are you going to talk to about the price of milk being too high? The manager, even if it did matter, cannot talk to a person. And, even if they found a person, who would they talk to? True, you could eventually find a person who makes the determination of what something costs, but, doing so would be completely impractical and, in the end, have no real influence whatsoever. What things cost is what things cost. The implication is that we, as individuals, have no influence (or power) to change the market. This truism, while self-evident and seemingly unquestionable in today's world, was not always the case.

It is as this point I see a larger problem. When Newtonian mechanics provided a mathematical framework for creating a deterministic philosophy several centuries ago people went wild with the idea. Never did people think, I sense, that commerce would become like a machine. Today, people buy things at fixed prices based on their needs. Prices, the theory goes, are determined by the demand for an item based on how scarce it is. Very simple idea, or, at least, very obvious. At any rate, people whose needs are fixed (you need food, housing, clothes, etc) are simply part of a complex, powerful financial system. I prefer to think of this system as a machine in all candor. Being aware, first, that things can be different, and, second, the world is not one large machine, I see a real need to redefine some of our economics. Not in theory, but, in practice.

When we work within the economic system where corporations set prices, produce goods and we, the consumers, simply are part of the equation, the objectification of man is nearly complete. I remember vividly the first time I read Revelation 18:11 where it talks about the trade of human souls. Although I think the Bible is not saying what I am writing about here, I will boldly emphasize the fact that this is my opinion, not something I am trying to imply the Bible meant. At any rate, I see the list at the beginning of verse 11 as those things least important to God and ending with those things most important to God. Here are the items in order as written in the verse:

gold
silver
precious stones
pearls
fine linen
purple cloth
silk
scarlet cloth
all sorts of things made of citron wood
all sorts of objects made of ivory
all sorts of things made of expensive wood, bronze, iron and marble
cinnamon
spice
incense
perfumed ointment
frankincense
wine
olive oil and costly flour
wheat
cattle and sheep
horses and four-wheeled carriages
slaves and human lives

These items could be categorized, but, getting sidetracked with Revelation is not my point here. My point is to say that I see a long-standing tradition where sinful cultures have perverted life by thinking of it as a thing to be bought and sold. The only thing that's new with our age is the language and the application of math as a means to justify it.

The mathematics used by economists today is something completely different from the mathematics the Greeks used. At one time, mathematics used to possess an almost religious or spiritual dimension. When things were discussed mathematically, it was not just a financial calculation. Furthermore, Greek thinkers would never have treated people and their needs as objects, things for reckoning. But, times have changed. Now, numbers are used as tools to create new industries, to scheme new ways to convert life and real value into artificial systems, financial translations, you could say. The monetization of life has made it a dangerous age in which to live. Though I am not a fan of the platonic or pythagorean relgions, I at least recognize the ethical manner in which they considered mathematical truths in relation to human life. Sadly, as Simone Weil touched on in the last part of the Need for Roots, the specialists are now in charge and their nouveau riche subcultures. No longer is the world community ruled by politics, but, by the science of wealth and the mental machinery (both ideological, socio-political and propogandist) that cultivates a world in which this mentality can thrive.

I know this post rambles, but, I had to get it out. Perhaps I can clean it up and make some sense soon enough. I, sadly, sense my point is, to some degree, related to Chomsky's criticisms in Manufacturing Consent. This ties into some of my ideas on marketing and propoganda, but, that is another story.